Middle School

The Essential Question
How can students relate environmental studies to art?

Objective
Students will create a bas relief indicating the change of seasons on a clay slab.

Materials

• 5 x 7" (13 x 18 cm) low-fire clay slab with extra clay for embellishments
• pencils
• objects from nature for reference
• cookie cutters in the shape of leaves (optional)
• ceramic glaze in a variety of colors
• rubber stamps for texture
• sipping straw to cut holes for hanging

Step 1
Discuss the way seasons change the environment.

Step 2
Discuss how colors are associated with different seasons.

Step 3
Have students create a thumbnail sketch of their plan, then divide their clay slab into four sections.

Step 4
Have students draw an object in the first section of the slab and cut it out using a sharp pencil or needle tool.

Step 5
Trace the previously cut-out object in another section of the slab and add details to the drawing. Attach the cut-out object to the third section using the score-and-slip method.

Step 6
Use the last section to represent the remaining season with textures and color.

Step 7
Use stamps to create texture, add color to each section to represent the four seasons, and cut holes for hanging using a sipping straw.

Assessment
Students will be assessed by the effort and skill they use in drawing, clay techniques, and glazing with colors that represent the seasons.

Melody Weintraub is a retired art educator and art education supervisor for the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.