Fantasy Characters: Easy-to-Follow Clay-Making Projects in Simple Steps (Modeling Clay Books)
Modeling Clay Books Series
on Goodreads (5)
What’s inside...
Hours of fantastical fun await with simple projects for creating mermaids, dragons, dinosaurs, superheroes, and even a flying horse, out of clay! Parents and teachers will be surprised at how simple it is to create brilliant characters using clay 'balls and sausages' as a starting point. The book covers the materials needed, basic techniques, and provides more than a dozen fun projects.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-12
Length
36 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What kind of fantasy character would you love to create with clay and why?
How do you think the character feels in the clay world you've created?
Can you tell a story about a day in the life of your clay character?
What challenges do you think your fantasy character might face, and how would they overcome them?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child's creativity by asking them to describe the environment where their fantasy character lives.
Foster empathy by discussing the feelings and challenges the clay character might experience.
Enhance their storytelling skills by asking them to narrate a short adventure involving their crafted character.
Discuss the textures, colors, and tools they used, asking why they made those choices, linking their decisions to the attributes of their fantasy character.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Creativity and Imagination
Explanation: Through engaging with step-by-step clay modeling projects of fantasy characters, children are encouraged to use their imagination to bring unique characters to life.
Real-World Application: This skill can foster creative thinking in problem-solving and artistic expression in other areas of their life, such as school projects and leisure activities.
Example Lesson: Following Instructions
Explanation: The book provides detailed instructions for each project, teaching children the importance of following directions to achieve a desired outcome.
Real-World Application: This ability to follow directions can translate into better performance in academic settings and enhance their ability to assemble or build projects correctly.
Example Lesson: Patience and Perseverance
Explanation: Modeling clay projects require time and patience to shape the clay into intricate fantasy characters, teaching children the value of perseverance.
Real-World Application: These traits are essential in all walks of life, helping children to tackle challenging tasks without giving up, whether in academics, sports, or personal hobbies.
Example Lesson: Pride in Accomplishments
Explanation: Completing each project gives children a sense of achievement and pride in their work, boosting their self-esteem.
Real-World Application: This sense of accomplishment can motivate them to take on new challenges and believe in their capabilities in various aspects of life.
Example Lesson: Attention to Detail
Explanation: The clay projects demand careful attention to detail to accurately bring the fantasy characters to life, enhancing their observational skills.
Real-World Application: Improved attention to detail can help children in academic settings, particularly in subjects like math and science, and in everyday tasks requiring precision.