Synopsis: Peter Clough discusses the basics necessary for successfully working with clay in the primary school. He covers types of clay, storage, modelling techniques and firing both with and without a kiln.

Review: This is another excellent book in a series of texts by the same author, exploring and explaining how to use artistic techniques and methods effectively in the primary classroom. The author’s style is approachable and straightforward. He draws on many years of practical experience, and fully understands the problems faced by the teacher trying to introduce clay work to a large class. His methods are clearly tried and tested. He offers numerous invaluable hints on how to incorporate a potentially messy activity, minimising fuss and disappointing disasters.

 The book gives a clear introduction to the different types of clay and glazes, and he does not waste time talking about techniques which are outside of the scope of the primary school class. He gives practical information about kilns and even shows how clay pots could be fired safely in an outside bonfire – not for the fainthearted, perhaps, but he demonstrates that it’s possible.

The book is amply illustrated throughout with clear photographs of children’s work, helpfully annotated with technical information and the age of the maker. Although specifically aimed at the non-specialist primary school teacher, I also found it to be a concise introduction to clay which would be equally good for the general secondary art teacher if their training did not cover clay and pottery.

2008-02-19