* Work on a padding of old newspapers on the desk, or a piece of
oil-cloth, or a square board like the end of an apple box. Clay can
be put back into the can and used over again. If it gets too dry, add
a little water. One needs to be strict in cleaning up to see that bits
are not left on the floors or tracked about the room. Children need
to be cautioned about not abusing the privilege of using this inter-
esting material. Do not let clay get in the drain as sinks can become
clogged up easily. One solution is to have a pail of water in which
to dip hands that have first been wiped as clean as possible on a
paper towel; or if allowed to dry a few minutes it will rub easily
off the hands.


FLAT TOP BIN


SLANT TOP BIN


* Young children are usually permitted to "play" with the clay
at first to get the "feel" and find out what it can do. These first
efforts need not be kept. Later they can be guided and directed into
expressing ideas, such as people, animals, and birds, etc., which
lend themselves to this three dimensional material. This may relate
to a unit being studied such as the "Farm" in which the different
animals can be modeled. Many things will suggest themselves to
the teacher and children as they get used to the material and experi-
ment with it.