Here is my pinch pot that I created for my lesson. This clay piece is a frog. I made the frog by using air dry clay. My first steps when making my pinch pot were wedging the clay to extract all the air bubbles. I then rolled the clay into a ball and used my thumbs to evenly make a hold in the middle of the clay ball. This created a bowl like form that I then used to begin shaping my frog. In this specific piece, I created the mouth to form a bowl like shape. I then added and subtracted clay to complete my frog using tools and slipping and scoring. I added on eyes and a tongue, as well as subtracted texture or holes on the back of the frog. After forming my frog the way I wanted, I used tools and my finger with water to blend the clay evenly throughout my piece.
An extension activity I would do with clay would include working with students in 1st grade and up. Clay is a great sensory manipulative to work with for children. Not only can it help them be creative, but it can be calming as well. Therefore, I would use clay in my classroom in an extension activity that goes along with a reading lesson. After completing a class book, whether read aloud or individually, I would have the students come up with a clay piece that relates to the book. For example, if we read the book, "Where the Wild Things Are" by Maurice Sendak, the children could relate to the book by making their own monsters out of clay. I would provide the students with plenty of guided instruction in order for them to complete this project. At the end, they could also paint their pieces to be presented in a display case for the entire school to view.