Workshops developed/practical activity/exploration

Workshops

Using child and classroom friendly materials such as air drying clay, PVA glue, glitter, split pins, paper plates, cardboard, paper and pencils, safety scissors and found objects, I have developed a small range of workshops as an example how art or creative practice can be used in conjunction with subjects in primary school such as history.

Based on the knowledge that Russells Hall Primary School children are learning about the Vikings and the Stone age this term I have developed some Ideas shown below.

Stone age

Stage 1:
Gathering and foraging materials
Alongside clay, children can choose from a provided array of "tools" and materials that can be used for cutting, pressing and mark making, creating interesting patterns shapes, objects and textures.
This stage could be made more interesting by allowing children to forage outdoors for these tools.

Stage 2:

Making a bowl

Children can use a "rock" (painted ball of polystyrene) to mould a dish, or can use their hands.

Stage 3:
simple cutting tool or twigs/stones can be used to create a neat edge and to remove clay from the "stone" (if using the polystyrene shape)
Children may prefer a more rugged texture and choose to leave their bowl uncut.

Example:

Stage 4:

Mark making and exploring pattern using found objects and tools.

As above using red clay:

Stage 5:

Making a lid or spoon

Children can create a simple lid for their pot or bowl by flattening a small ball of clay.

As above:

Creating marks and textures using tools

Example:

Here I used an acorn to create a small handle for my lid. this adds an organic and naturally sourced feel to my stone-age pot.

Alternatives:

Children could choose to create a spoon or other object such as a pestle and mortar in a similar manner.

Stage 1:

Making a stone age necklace

Children can create an array of shapes, using a variety of clays and can gather items they find interesting (from a pre-drilled selection of organic fund materials) to create "beads".

Stage 2:

Making holes

Use found tools (small twigs and sticks) to create holes through their beads.

Stage 3:

Children can organise and thread their own necklaces onto a natural fibre (We will use wool providing children to not have an allergy to lanolin, in which case i can supply leather or natural string)

Vikings

Stage 1:

Making a shield

Using a selection of circular templates and cut card, children can create their own viking shields.

Stage 2:

Push a split pin through the layers of card/paper plates etc and split. A safe and simple approach to creating layered shields.

Stage 3:
Decorate as child sees fit. Here i used Pritt stick and PVA to attach glitter, creating a metallic effect followed by some simple crayon and felt pen details.

Stage 4:

Attaching a handle. Using strips of card, bend and both ends and attach using an additional two split pins.

Stage 5:
Centre piece.
These pieces can be inspired by the Viking long boat, house teams, or something the child feels passionate about.

Example:

Finished shield.

Stage 1:

Making a Viking Medalion 

Children will be supplied with a ball of clay, just enough to make a sizeable medallion around 8cm diameter.

Stage 2:

Flatten into a circle

Stage 3:

Create detail using simple mark making and cutting tools. (Supplied by myself if required)

Stage 4:

Adding some colour and threading

Children can add some glitter to create a metallic finish in silver bronze or gold, use some simple coloured clay (clay water and food colouring) etc. To add detail to their medallion.

I will provide small discs of paper or card on which children can draw something associated with the Vikings, or home teams etc. We will attach these using a small blob of PVA and leave to dry.

( I will thread the medallions for the children to ensure safety and so as not to damage their work)