Ceramic Making in Second Grade Art

By: Logan Mason

This month in Alex Wilburn’s art class, the kids are making ceramics! These special projects take time and effort, but they’re worth it. Ceramics are objects made from clay that are shaped by hand, dried, and then baked in a very hot oven called a kiln. The heat from the kiln turns the soft clay into a hard, solid piece of art. Students are creating bowls and cups, and each one is unique because it’s made by hand — that’s what makes them extra special!

Working with clay is a great way for kids to be creative. At first, the clay is soft and easy to shape. Students learn how to roll it, pinch it, and smooth it out to make the shape they want. After shaping their bowls or cups, they paint them with colorful designs and patterns. Even if a piece looks good when it’s wet, it has to be strong enough to survive the kiln. Once the ceramics are baked, they come out full of bright color and ready to be taken home.

Making ceramics is a fun process that helps kids use their creativity and problem-solving skills to create something they can be proud of. It’s also a hands-on way for students to explore art practices from around the world—encouraging a global perspective and helping them engage with diverse cultures through their own creative expression.

This article is part of the eighth-grade communications class's media intern project, where students worked on a project for the French International Communications department.