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Year 5

Build a clay celebration cake

I can sculpt and decorate a clay celebration cake using different techniques.

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Share activities with pupils
New
New
Year 5

Build a clay celebration cake

I can sculpt and decorate a clay celebration cake using different techniques.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

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These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Understand that clay can be molded and shaped into forms like celebration cakes.
  2. Demonstrate how to join pieces of clay together using slip and scoring to build a three-dimensional structure.
  3. Apply knowledge of textures and patterns in clay to enhance the design of their cake.

Keywords

  • Sculpting - the process of creating three-dimensional works by shaping or combining materials

  • Slip - a liquid mixture of clay and water used to join pieces of clay

  • Coiling - a technique of shaping clay by rolling it into long, snake-like pieces and stacking them to create shapes

Common misconception

If the clay is wet, it will stick together and hold without needing to apply slip.

Clay must be wet enough to join properly. Without slip, dry clay won't bond effectively, leading to cracks. The best way to stick together different pieces of clay is to score each side and use slip to ensure a secure connection.


To help you plan your year 5 art and design lesson on: Build a clay celebration cake, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

When students are building their cakes, remind them to keep their clay pieces moist but not too wet. Dry clay can crack, and overly wet clay may collapse. Encourage students to apply textures and detail to refine their sculpture. If a hollow structure is created students must create an air hole.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Clay (air-dry or kiln-fired). Clay tools (rolling pins, texture stamps, carving tools). Paper and pencil for sketching ideas. Aprons to protect clothing.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
The coil technique in ceramics is ...
flattening the clay into a thin sheet.
squeezing clay into shape with your fingers.
Correct answer: shaping clay using long rolls of clay stacked on top of each other.
breaking the clay into small pieces.
Q2.
Slip is used to __________ in clay work.
Correct answer: join two pieces of clay together
decorate the surface
make the clay slippery for fun
make clay dry faster
Q3.
Which of these is an example of a ceramic object?
A paper lantern
A wooden spoon
A plastic water bottle
Correct answer: A clay pot that has been fired in a kiln
Q4.
What is slab building in ceramics?
Using your hands to pinch and shape clay into a ball
Correct answer: Rolling out flat, even pieces of clay and cut into shapes or assembled together
Mixing water with clay to create a slip
Stacking long coils of clay to form a sculpture
Q5.
Put these pottery making steps in order:
1 - Preparing the clay
2 - Forming
3 - Drying
4 - Firing in the kiln
5 - Glazing
6 - Glazing (firing)
Q6.
Match each clay technique to how it's used:
Correct Answer:coil technique,shaping clay using long rolls of clay stacked on top of each other

shaping clay using long rolls of clay stacked on top of each other

Correct Answer:pinch technique,shaping clay by pinching it between fingers to form a pot or bowl

shaping clay by pinching it between fingers to form a pot or bowl

Correct Answer:slip,a liquid mixture of clay and water used to join pieces of clay

a liquid mixture of clay and water used to join pieces of clay

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Why do artists use the coiling technique?
To make clay dry faster
To flatten the clay
Correct answer: To build up height and shape in their sculpture
To paint the clay
Q2.
Which tool might you use to add texture to your clay cake sculpture?
A spoon
Your hands only
Water
Correct answer: A modelling tool with a point or shape
Q3.
It is important to keep clay moist when working with it to ...
make it easier to paint.
prevent it from becoming too soft and collapsing.
Correct answer: prevent it from drying and cracking.
Q4.
Why is it important to add texture to your clay cake sculpture?
To make the sculpture easier to paint
To make the sculpture feel rough and bumpy
Correct answer: To make the sculpture look more interesting and realistic
To make the clay dry faster
Q5.
Which of the following are hand-building clay techniques?
Correct answer: coiling (making long, snake-like coils of clay)
scoring (scratch lines to help two pieces stick together)
Correct answer: slabbing (rolling out flat pieces of clay)
Correct answer: pinching (shaping the clay by pinching it)
Q6.
Match the keywords to the definitions:
Correct Answer:sculpting,the process of creating 3D works by shaping or combining materials

the process of creating 3D works by shaping or combining materials

Correct Answer:slip,a liquid mixture of clay and water used to join pieces of clay

a liquid mixture of clay and water used to join pieces of clay

Correct Answer:coiling,shaping clay by rolling it into long pieces and stacking them

shaping clay by rolling it into long pieces and stacking them