Megan McKern

Modified Unit: 3D Clay Animal Sculptures

Central Focus/Learning concepts for the unit:

 Students will learn how 2D shapes and images can be applied to the creation of
3D forms.
Visual Arts Standards:
 Creating:
o VA:Cr2.1.7a: Demonstrate persistence in developing skills with various
materials, methods, and approaches in creating works of art or design.
o VA:Cr3.1.7a: Reflect on and explain important information about personal
artwork in an artist statement or another format.
 Responding:
o VA:Re8.1.7a: Interpret art by analyzing artmaking approaches, the
characteristics of form and structure, relevant contextual information,
subject matter, and use of media to identify ideas and mood conveyed.
 Presenting:
o VA:Pr5.1.6a: Individually or collaboratively, develop a visual plan for
displaying works of art, analyzing exhibit space, the needs of the viewer, and
the layout of the exhibit.
Learning Objectives/Outcomes for each lesson:
 Lesson 1:
o Students will demonstrate an understanding of basic clay techniques.
o During a synchronous Nearpod lesson, students will demonstrate their
understanding of basic clay techniques.
 Lesson 2:
o Students will demonstrate an understanding and application of three basic
clay techniques.
o During a whole-class guided demonstration, students will demonstrate an
understanding & application of the three basic clay techniques - pinch pot,
slab, and coil.
 Lesson 3:
o Students will demonstrate an understanding of how 2D plans can be
translated into 3D forms.
o Through a whole class discussion & independent brainstorm sheet, students
will brainstorm different groups of animals and select a 2D image of an
animal of their personal choice.
o Students will independently complete a drawn 2D plan that makes direct
connections to the different 3D forms of their chosen animals and to our
basic clay techniques.
 Lesson 4:
o Students will demonstrate an understanding and application of basic clay
techniques.
o Students will demonstrate an understanding of how 2D plans can be
translated into 3D forms.
o Students will demonstrate an understanding and application of assembling
basic 3D forms.
 Lesson 5:
Megan McKern

o Students will demonstrate an understanding and application of assembling

basic 3D forms.
o Students will demonstrate an understanding and application of translating
drawn texture to 3D forms.
o Through a whole class discussion & independent work, students will
respond to the use of actual texture in the clay animal sculptures of Nick
Mackman.
 Lesson 6: Students will demonstrate an understanding of how 2D plans can be
translated into 3D forms through the creation of a clay environment for their animal
sculptures.
 Lesson 7: Students will plan their chosen glaze colors and apply these directly to
their 3D clay animal sculptures.
 Lesson 8:
o Students will demonstrate their understanding of 2D and 3D by explaining
their use of a 2D plan to translate shapes and images into a completed 3D
animal sculpture.
o During a final presentation, students will present their completed animal
sculptures & display, discussing their process of converting 2D images &
shapes into a 3D sculpture.
Learning Activities:
 Lesson 1: Nearpod pre-assessment
 Lesson 2:
o Day 1: Practicing pinch pots & coils
o Day 2: Practicing rolling slabs, assembling 3D forms using 2D shapes
 Lesson 3
o Day 1: Think-Pair-Share activity to brainstorm animals, collaborative
Jamboard to sort all animals that were brainstormed into categories,
individual brainstorm worksheet to finalize chosen animal.
o Day 2: 2D sculpture planning sheet that includes drawing one’s animal
and connecting major body parts to that of specific clay techniques.
 Lesson 4: Demonstration on scoring & slipping, students work
independently on their sculptures.
 Lesson 5: Whole-class responding session with independent writing activity
to compare two sculptures, students independently create clay texture tiles.
 Lesson 6: Individual brainstorm worksheet for one’s environment, creating
this environment out of clay.
 Lesson 7: Individual glaze color brainstorm sheet, then students will glaze
their final sculpture.
 Lesson 8:
o Day 1: Artist Statement worksheet & Flipgrid
o Day 2: Final presentation with class of finished sculpture
Assessment:
 Lesson 1: Pre-assessment Nearpod on clay techniques and 2D vs. 3D.
 Lesson 2: Clay Technique homework sheet to assess student understanding
of pinch pots, slabs, and coils.
 Lesson 3: Brainstorm worksheet, 2D sculpture plan
Megan McKern

 Lesson 4: Texture Tiles, texture exit slip

 Lesson 5: Scoring & slipping exit slip
 Lesson 6: Environment brainstorm sheet
 Lesson 8: Final sculpture rubric, FlipGrid artist statement, sculpture
display/presentation

Differentiation of Instruction:
- Clay technique YouTube videos, step-by-step pictures, and written
instructions to support all students.
- Breaking down drawing animals in the brainstorm lesson into basic shapes
to support students who may struggle with drawing.
- Offering physical examples of 2D images vs. 3D objects (drawn orange for 2D
versus a real orange for 3D).
- Opportunities for students to demonstrate their knowledge through verbal,
drawn, and written responses.
Instructional materials:
Lesson 1:
- Pre-assessment Nearpod
- Introduction slideshow
- Clay technique homework sheet
- Clay technique homework videos in slideshow
Lesson 2:
- Instructional slideshow with clay techniques
Lesson 3:
- Instructional slideshow
- Brainstorm worksheet
- Sculpture plan template
- Jamboard
Lesson 4:
- Instructional slideshow
- Exit slip
Lesson 5:
- Instructional slideshow with images for responding session and important
texture definitions
- Texture exit slip
- Teacher examples of texture tiles
Lesson 6:
- Instructional slideshow
- Environment brainstorm sheet
Lesson 7:
- Glazing informational slideshow
- Glaze planning sheet
Lesson 8:
- Final slideshow
- FlipGrid
Megan McKern

- Artist statement worksheet

- Final rubric