By the time kids have reached fourth grade, most are ready to expand their art skills with practice in balance and symmetry. Provide each student with clay and have them form a flat circle that is at most an inch thick. After working to create the circle shape, have the students turn these pieces into wall hangings or clay trivets by decorating the circles with a design that follows rotational symmetry. Stress the importance of the design staying balanced all around the circle. Allow the students to paint their designs and practice color balance as well.
Teach fourth-graders how to translate what they see in a picture into a clay structure by assisting them in sculpting animals. Have each student choose her favorite animal and find a picture of that animal that inspires her. By learning how to roll and form clay with their hands into the desired shape of their chosen animal, kids begin to understand the importance of scale as they attempt to turn a photo into sculpture.
Teach your students about the functional nature of clay by having them make clay plates. Demonstrate the proper techniques of wedge, folding, rolling and cutting to give kids the necessary tools to form small square or rectangular plates to be used for decoration or dinnerware. Expand upon this lesson by bringing in a potter's wheel and show them the advanced technique of throwing pots. This demonstration may inspire them to continue to learn and work with clay.
Let fourth-graders explore their own skills with clay construction by assigning them the task of creating their very own keepsake box and lid out of clay. This project involves having them form a box out of clay and then learning to roll out a lid that properly fits the top of the box. Allow the kids to use any appropritae decorations or paint they desire for a memento of their fourth grade year.