Clay Birds in a Nest

In second grade our students learn about birds.  Each student is assigned a particular bird to research and create a board game.  I was looking on Pinterest one day and found these really cute clay birds.  Here is the link to the Etsy site:  http://www.etsy.com/listing/120121796/sale-clay-bird-sculpture-turquoise.

As soon as I saw it I knew I wanted to make them with my students.  While making the clay birds we really practiced modeling the clay with our hands.  We talked about how we could push, pinch and pull the clay to form the bird shape.  I found a great graphic that I used to show my students one way to create the bird.  Here is the site where I got this picture.  I think it really helped the kids visualize the process:https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIJpvJb_wsAmgXm7JGBRIGUw6tl4hXDN_07JnfsGmMkoxwDxTXNrktmntmKzQIxcpEYW5CdfTkNxEyxCFcwSK4f6rZL5RUFMRhtMHjeFZo1dKE3-KNqBWkpe7tOoJiwCBXFiDvVvSET28E/s1600-h/genine4.jpg

I also found these great clay bird nests on Pinterest, here is the link: 

http://redandthepeanut.blogspot.com/2012/04/how-to-make-ceramic-pottery-birds-nest.html

 and decided to make those to put our birds in.  If you are a bird lover you should really check out her blog.  There are so many beautiful photos.  Each student got a small slab circle of clay,turned the edges up and added clay strings made from garlic presses.  It was great practice attaching clay.

The kids really loved making both the birds and the nests. We practiced lots of handbuilding skills. Here are some of our finished birds.  If you would like to see more visit our Artsonia exhibit Clay Birds.