Remembrance in Clay

Lesson Overview

This Year 7 Art and Design lesson will focus on creating clay sculptures inspired by World War I (WWI). Students will explore symbolism and emotion in art, translating historical themes into 3D clay models. This lesson aligns with the UK National Curriculum for Art & Design (KS3), particularly:

• Developing creativity and ideas
• Enhancing technical proficiency with materials
• Understanding historical and cultural influences in art

By the end of the session, students will have gained practical skills in clay modelling while reflecting on WWI through artistic expression.

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Lesson Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will:

• Understand the symbolism and significance of WWI artworks and memorials
• Develop practical skills in handling and shaping clay
• Express emotion and historical themes through sculpture
• Analyse and reflect on their work, linking it to historical contexts

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Lesson Structure

Starter Activity (10 minutes)

Discussion & Visual Analysis

• Display images of WWI sculptures, such as the Royal Artillery Memorial or the Tower of London poppies installation.
• Ask students:
  • What do these sculptures make you feel?
  • What symbols do you notice (e.g., poppies, soldiers, helmets, barbed wire)?
  • How do artists use form and texture to evoke emotion?
• Briefly introduce the idea of “Remembrance through Sculpture”, explaining how artists use materials like clay to capture history.

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Main Activity (40 minutes)

Step 1: Planning & Sketching (10 minutes)

• Students will sketch a design for their WWI remembrance sculpture. Ideas may include:
  • A soldier’s helmet
  • A trench scene in relief
  • A war memorial or gravestone
  • Poppies intertwined with barbed wire
• Encourage students to think about texture, depth, and proportion in their designs.

Step 2: Clay Modelling (25 minutes)

• Demonstration (5 minutes):

  • Show techniques such as rolling, pinching, coiling, and scoring to attach pieces.
  • Introduce texture tools (e.g., forks for barbed wire effects, toothpicks for engraving names or dates).

• Student Work (20 minutes):

  • Students shape their clay based on their sketches.
  • Provide encouragement, highlighting how to improve structure and detailing.
  • Walk around offering support, particularly for more complex designs.

Step 3: Finishing Touches & Drying (5 minutes)

• Ensure sculptures are placed on drying boards with name labels.
• Briefly discuss how they could be painted or glazed in a future lesson.

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Plenary & Reflection (10 minutes)

• Pair Discussion (5 minutes): Students share their sculpture with a partner and describe:

  • The inspiration behind their design
  • The challenges they faced
  • What they would improve or add next time

• Class Showcase (5 minutes):

  • Select 2–3 students to share their work with the class.
  • Relate their sculptures back to the emotion and symbolism of WWI.
  • Link the discussion to British WWI memorials and the importance of art in remembering history.

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Resources Needed

• Clay (air-dry or kiln-fired)
• Clay modelling tools (rolling pins, wooden tools, toothpicks)
• Texture tools (forks, sponges, lace for imprinting textures)
• Sketchbooks and pencils
• Reference images of WWI sculptures and memorials
• Drying boards or trays for ensuring work is preserved

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Differentiation & Support

• For higher ability students: Encourage them to create multi-layered relief sculptures or focus on intricate textures.
• For students needing extra support: Provide simplified designs such as single poppies or helmet imprints.
• For SEN students: Offer pre-prepared clay templates or allow them to work with a partner.

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Assessment Opportunities

• Observation: Are students experimenting with texture and technique?
• Sketchbooks: Do their designs show consideration of form and symbolism?
• Self & Peer Evaluation: Can students articulate how their work connects to WWI remembrance?

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Extension Activity

• Students research a local WWI memorial and sketch it for a class discussion next lesson.
• They could also write a short reflective statement on how their sculpture represents WWI themes.

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Final Thought

By the end of this session, students will have engaged deeply with historical remembrance through hands-on creativity. This lesson not only builds technical skills but also encourages profound reflection on how art preserves memory and history.