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Lesson 4 of 4
  • Year 3

Clay landscapes: hand building towers together

I can work collaboratively to build a clay coil structure

Lesson 4 of 4
New
New
  • Year 3

Clay landscapes: hand building towers together

I can work collaboratively to build a clay coil structure

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Simon Rodia built the Watts Towers alone, using recycled materials and no machines.
  2. Artists might use a continuous line drawing to explore different drawing materials.
  3. Clay can be used with an armature to construct an imagined place.
  4. Public art can symbolise pride, memory and provide a gathering place for protest and celebration.

Keywords

  • Tower - a tall building or structure that stands up high above the ground

  • Continuous line - a line that never stops or lifts off the page

  • Armature - a strong frame or shape inside that helps hold the sculpture up

Common misconception

Once a sculpture is built, it should always stay the same.

Some sculptures are meant to change over time. Artists might add to them, reuse parts or let nature affect them. Change can tell new stories and show that art is alive.


To help you plan your year 3 art and design lesson on: Clay landscapes: hand building towers together, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Pupils may find it helpful to have a selection of repurposed materials to choose from or can spend some time gathering these.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Clay, clay boards, large paper, cling film, brushes, water pots, selection of repurposed materials.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), 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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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What does the word link mean in art?

To cut things apart
Correct answer: To connect or join parts
To paint with bright colours
To throw something away

Q2.
What are materials in art?


Words in a story
Correct answer: Objects and things used to make art
Music and sounds
used to create a performance
Food and drink used for cooking

Q3.
What can you do to your materials when making art?

Cut, fold, scrunch or rip them again and again
Use the same colours or shapes to make them flow
Put materials in rows, lines, or groups
Correct answer: All of the above

Q4.
Match the art word to what it means:

Correct Answer:Materials,Things used to make art

Things used to make art

Correct Answer:Repurposed,Used again in a new way

Used again in a new way

Correct Answer:Link,A connection between things

A connection between things

Correct Answer:Collective,Made by a group of people

Made by a group of people

Q5.
What word means using something again?

regenerate
Correct answer: repurpose
replay
repeat

Q6.
Put these steps in the right order for using repurposed materials:

1 - Find an old object
2 - Think of a new use
3 - Add it to your artwork

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
What is a ‘tower’ in art?

A flat drawing that has lots of detail
Correct answer: A tall structure that stands up high above the ground
A small ball of clay that is used to decorate pots
A painting on paper that is of a landscape

Q2.
What does a ‘continuous line’ mean when building with clay?

A line that starts and stops many times
A line drawn on paper that is long
A broken line
Correct answer: A line that goes on without breaking

Q3.
What is an ‘armature’ used for in clay sculpture?

Correct answer: To help the clay hold its shape
To paint the sculpture
To make the clay dry faster
To help cut the clay out carefully

Q4.
What materials did Simon Rodia use to build his towers?

New blocks and bricks
Only ancient wood and new, shiny metal
Paint, paper and collaged materials
Correct answer: Broken glass, pottery, shells, tiles, and wire found or recycled

Q5.
Put these steps in the right order to construct a clay coil tower:

1 - Wind the coil around the armature
2 - Cut the coil where the ends meet
3 - Scratch the ends of the coils with a brush
4 - Put slip on the scratches and join the clay together

Q6.
What is a long, rolled piece of clay called?

Correct Answer: Coil