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Clay Modeling Course - Level 1

Simple, easy to follow clay modeling lessons!

Course Overview

The course takes the student, step by step, through the process of developing skills and dexterity for modeling with clay.  The projects start very simply and continue building upon the previously practiced skills for the completion of more complex projects.  These lessons are also designed to allow for flexibility.  For example, a child might struggle with the diamondback pattern on a rattlesnake.  If so, the project can be simplified to just modeling the shape of the snake with the rattler tail, leaving out the patterning.

What you will learn:

  • The advantages and challenges to modeling with natural clays

  • The advantages and challenges to modeling with polymer clays

  • The creation of basic forms (sphere, egg, bowl, etc) and their use in creating more complex modeling projects

  • Greater manual dexterity and fine motor coordination

What you will receive:

  • A course overview and description

  • A clear materials list for the course

  • 36 clay modeling lessons that guide you from start to finish for 36 clay projects

  • Additional videos that delve into fundamental pedagogical topics

  • Additional articles that explore various pedagogical considerations

What you will need:

  • At least two handfuls of clay (natural clay, polymer clay, or at least two handfuls of each)

  • a working surface such as a craft table or a plastic cutting board

  • a water container if you choose to use natural clay

  • an inexpensive set of plastic sculpting tools

  • A positive attitude, because we all make mistakes and it is part of the journey!

Who is this course for:

This course is for anyone who wants to begin learning how to model with clay, whether you intend to teach the subject to others or you are just learning for yourself.  The lessons are suitable for any age group, from young student to teens to adults.

Courses also purchased:

Course Content

Start Here

Introduction and Overview

Materials List

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Flute/Recorder Lessons

Lesson 1: Natural Clay Conditioning Lesson

Lesson 2: Ball / Sphere

Lesson 3: Bowl

Lesson 4: Acorn

Lesson 5: Nest with Eggs

Lesson 6: Garden Slug

Lesson 7: Snowman / Snowperson

Lesson 8: Fruit

Lesson 9: Pig

Lesson 10: Bird on a Log

Lesson 11: Fish

Lesson 12: Turtle

Lesson 13: Bunny

Lesson 14: Gnome Head

Lesson 15: Caterpillar

Lesson 16: Mushroom

Lesson 17: Penguin

Lesson 18: Duck

Lesson 19: Snail

Lesson 20: Starfish

Lesson 21: Seahorse

Lesson 22: Sitting Cat

Lesson 23: Lion's Face

Lesson 24: Unicorn Head

Lesson 25: Cobra

Lesson 26: Seashell

Lesson 27: Swan

Lesson 28: Sun

Lesson 29: Leaf Being

Lesson 30: Jack o' Lantern

Lesson 31: Gingerbread Person

Lesson 32: Mermaid

Lesson 33: Rose

Lesson 34: Canoe

Lesson 35: Pea-Pod People

Lesson 36: Rattlesnake

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Additional Resources

Pedagogical Videos

Pedagogical Articles

Appreciation Message

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Reminders:

  1. As you watch the video, you can pause to give yourself more time. You can watch certain parts over and over.

  2. You can do any of these lessons with polymer clay or natural clay. Use whatever works for you! If you choose to use natural clay, be sure to have it prepped and ready to go. In other words you may need to moisten your natural clay.

If your swan turns out to look more like a goose, that's okay. In order to keep the head from sagging, the neck must be left thick enough and that might look more like a goose. Either way is fine.

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More from the course creator:

36 basic lessons for beginners to learn about clay modeling. All 36 lessons take a student from start to finish with each project, starting simply in order to develop the skills and dexterity needed for some more complicated projects later on. The projects are all suitable to be performed with either natural clay or polymer clay and both of these clays are used in different lessons as a demonstration.

 

This course focuses only on the modeling, not any of the various "finishing" procedures that could be undertaken, such as kiln firing, glazing, drying, painting, etc. In this course we just model the different projects by hand and with a very simply plastic sculpting tool that can be purchased inexpensively from any craft store.

 

This course is suitable for any age from 6 up. That being said, people have different abilities; so an adult may choose to simplify a project for a student who struggles. For example, the last lesson in this course is a diamondback rattlesnake. The snake body, even the tail, would be achievable by almost all students, but the diamondback patterning on the body can be much more challenging. So, a parent/teacher may choose to leave out the patterning and just stop with the body shape. In this way, the lessons can be adapted to meet the students optimally.

Waldorf Clay Modeling Level One Course Description

Clay Modeling Course

First Grade/Level 1

This course includes 36 clay modeling lessons for the core Waldorf First Grade Curriculum or as a standalone course for beginner modelers. You are on your way to simple, easy to use lessons. Once you purchase the course you will have access to all of the videos and can begin your Waldorf journey now!

$148

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Meet Our Course Creator

Rev Bowen, also co-founder of Simply Waldorf, is a seasoned Waldorf grades teacher. 

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