Ceramics: finalising a cake inspired creation
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can add finishing details to my cake-inspired clay sculpture and evaluate my work.
Key learning points
- Learn how to apply finishing touches to clay pieces, using texture, colour, and decoration.
- Different types of clay are treated differently for drying, firing, glazing and painting methods.
- Develop the ability to evaluate work critically, understanding the importance of reflecting on the creative process.
Keywords
Ceramics - objects made from clay, often fired in a kiln to harden and set
Glazing - the process of applying a liquid coating to clay objects that, when fired, forms a smooth, shiny surface
Texture - the surface quality or feel of a material, created through techniques like carving, smoothing, or adding elements to clay
Evaluation - the process of reviewing and reflecting on the artwork to assess its strengths and areas for improvement
Common misconception
A good cake-inspired sculpture must look realistic.
Cake-inspired sculptures can be creative, experiment with textures, colours and other ideas, not just realistic depictions. Great art can be a combination of interpretation and imagination.
Teacher tip
Encourage students to experiment with different textures and finishes by using household items (e.g., forks, sponges) for creative effects. Remind them that this project is about exploring their ideas, not just perfecting realism. Foster an environment where mistakes lead to new techniques!
Equipment
Pre-prepared clay cakes or cake-inspired sculptures. Paint or glaze (optional). Pencils and paper. Pens.
Licence
Lesson video
Loading...
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Clay is a versatile material that can be ...
Q2.To sculpt with clay, which different materials are needed?
Q3.What is the best method for joining two pieces of clay together?
Q4.Slabbing is ...
Q5.How can you dry clay?
Q6.Match the handbuilding techniques to the definition.
making long, snake-like coils of clay
rolling out flat pieces of clay
shaping the clay by pinching it
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What does the word ceramics mean in art?
Q2.Artists glaze their ceramic sculpture to ...
Q3.What is the purpose of evaluation in art?
Q4.Match the tool or material to its use.
used to fire clay and make it hard
helps join two clay pieces together
adds a shiny or colourful finish to the sculpture
Q5.Put these final steps in the correct order when finishing a clay sculpture.
Q6.Match each art term to its correct meaning.
applying a liquid coating to clay objects for a smooth, shiny surface
the surface quality or feel of a material
reviewing and reflecting on artwork
To help you plan your 5 art and design lesson on: Ceramics: finalising a cake inspired creation, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 5 art and design lesson on: Ceramics: finalising a cake inspired creation, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 art and design lessons from the Ceramics: cake culture unit, dive into the full primary art and design curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.