New
New
Year 5

Ceramics: finalising a cake inspired creation

I can add finishing details to my cake-inspired clay sculpture and evaluate my work.

New
New
Year 5

Ceramics: finalising a cake inspired creation

I can add finishing details to my cake-inspired clay sculpture and evaluate my work.

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

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Learn how to apply finishing touches to clay pieces, using texture, colour, and decoration.
  2. Different types of clay are treated differently for drying, firing, glazing and painting methods.
  3. 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.


To help you plan your year 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...

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!
Teacher tip

Equipment

Pre-prepared clay cakes or cake-inspired sculptures. Paint or glaze (optional). Pencils and paper. Pens.

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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6 Questions

Q1.
Clay is a versatile material that can be ...
Correct answer: shaped and moulded.
melted.
made into a fabric.
Q2.
To sculpt with clay, which different materials are needed?
Correct answer: clay
Correct answer: rolling pin
paint
Correct answer: carving tools
Correct answer: water and slip
Q3.
What is the best method for joining two pieces of clay together?
pressing them together quickly
letting them dry and hoping they stick
Correct answer: scoring the clay and using slip
wrapping them with string
Q4.
Slabbing is ...
Correct answer: rolling out flat pieces of clay.
putting clay in a kiln.
shaping the clay by pinching it.
making long, snake-like coils of clay.
Q5.
How can you dry clay?
Put it in the freezer.
Bake it in a microwave.
Correct answer: Fire it in a kiln.
Correct answer: Leave it in a cool, dry place to air dry.
Q6.
Match the handbuilding techniques to the definition.
Correct Answer:coiling,making long, snake-like coils of clay

making long, snake-like coils of clay

Correct Answer:slabbing,rolling out flat pieces of clay

rolling out flat pieces of clay

Correct Answer:pinching,shaping the clay by pinching it

shaping the clay by pinching it

6 Questions

Q1.
What does the word ceramics mean in art?
the art of cutting paper into shapes
the process of painting with watercolours
Correct answer: objects made from clay and fired in a kiln to harden and set
drawing on fabric with chalk
Q2.
Artists glaze their ceramic sculpture to ...
help the clay stay soft.
make the sculpture smell better.
Correct answer: give it a smooth, shiny, or coloured finish.
make it lighter in weight.
Q3.
What is the purpose of evaluation in art?
to throw your work away and start again
to throw your work away and start again
Correct answer: to reflect on what went well and what could be improved
to copy someone else's work
Q4.
Match the tool or material to its use.
Correct Answer:kiln,used to fire clay and make it hard

used to fire clay and make it hard

Correct Answer:slip,helps join two clay pieces together

helps join two clay pieces together

Correct Answer:glaze,adds a shiny or colourful finish to the sculpture

adds a shiny or colourful finish to the sculpture

Q5.
Put these final steps in the correct order when finishing a clay sculpture.
1 - Let the sculpture dry completely.
2 - Add glaze carefully to the surface.
3 - Fire the sculpture in the kiln again.
4 - Evaluate the finished piece.
Q6.
Match each art term to its correct meaning.
Correct Answer:glazing,applying a liquid coating to clay objects for a smooth, shiny surface

applying a liquid coating to clay objects for a smooth, shiny surface

Correct Answer:texture,the surface quality or feel of a material

the surface quality or feel of a material

Correct Answer:evaluation,reviewing and reflecting on artwork

reviewing and reflecting on artwork