This Art and design scheme of work video supports pupils as they explore how to make patterns in clay by pressing in objects and joining on shapes to decorate a tile.

Children begin by rolling out their clay to an even thickness. The video reminds them to start with the clay in the centre of the board and roll gently, turning the board to help keep the thickness even. Once the clay is about 1cm thick, they place a template on top and carefully cut around it to make the tile shape.

Next, pupils begin decorating. They practise shaping clay using their hands, rolling and flattening a ball to make a circle, squeezing edges to create squares, and cutting shapes to form triangles. These are joined to the tile surface using the score and slip method. The video also models how to press objects or tools into the surface to create textures and patterns. Children are encouraged to explore how different objects leave different marks.

This video is part of Kapow Primary’s Year 2 Clay houses unit.

See more of our Year 2 Art and design scheme of work.

Art and design, Year 2, Sculpture and 3D: Clay houses, Lesson 3: Applying skills in clay.