Time:                                         

To make bell: 2 days. To dry: 2 - 3 days. To glaze: 1 day. To fire: 2 - 3 days

           If making these for Christmas, it would be best to start in late September or early October.  It depends on the amount of students and classes.  I had over 800 students make these bells and only saw them every 6 - 7 days.  You can adjust your time frame according to your schedule.

  Objectives:

Students will develop manipulative skills, using the coil method, while creating a Christmas Bell with clay.

  Materials:

clay, plaster cups, dixie cups ( small ), plastic knives, pointed sticks, trays for water, masonite, paint brushes, glaze, kiln

  Vocabulary:

Coil:  an even ropelike piece of clay.  

Glaze:  ground minerals that when fired have the properties of glass.  

Kiln:  oven for baking ceramics.   

  Procedure:

Flatten clay to get air bubbles out and roll into long coils or " snakes ".

Take the dixie cup and fill it with plaster and let it dry. Then, add a second cup over it with the child's name written on the bottom in permanent ink marker. Then turn the double cup upside down and wrap it with your  clay   snake.  This will help the cup retain its form while the clay is wrapped around it and help identify it later. 

With the knife, put small markings on the top of the coil and some water on that to act as a cement for the next coil.  Keep coiling around the cup until you reach the top.  Be sure there are no gaps in between the clay and the cup or in between the coils.  

Ask the kids if they have ever seen a snake coiled up.  Draw a spiral on the board and then demonstrate visually with your own clay snake how a snake coils up and then wrap it around the cup.  Next, have them roll another small piece of clay into a ball and then flatten it to make the clapper.

Smooth the sides and top with a plastic knife, making sure there are no gaps or irregularities.  Next, gently smooth the surface with dry ( not wet ) fingertips.

Next, the teacher removes the cups and writes the students' names, then pokes holes in the bells and the clappers.   Now let them dry 2 - 3 days in the open air.

Students can then paint the bells with glaze two or more coats as needed.  Paint only one side of the clapper, making sure not to fill the hole with paint. Teachers should do this for Kindergarteners and First graders. Wipe the bottom edge of the bell clean so it will not stick to the kiln. 

Fire all the bells in the kiln, making sure the bells are not touching.

After the bells come out of the kiln, string the clappers to the bells.  Older kids love to help string them.   These bells make wonderful gifts for loved ones.

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