Have your child or students make an arrowhead out of self-hardening or polymer clay.
For parents, teachers, and home schoolers who are seeking a craft for Thanksgiving or a Native American art lesson, forming arrowheads out of self-hardening clay or polymer clay is a fun and informative project. Young children will be able to craft a basic arrowhead shape out of soft, self-hardening clay, while older students will study the different types of arrowheads made by Native American tribes and form an arrowhead out of harder, polymer clay.
Arrowhead Instructions, Grades 2-4
Lesson Objective
To have the student shape an arrowhead out of self-hardening clay and recognize that arrowheads were chiseled by Native Americans long ago.
Materials Needed
- Self-hardening clay, such as Crayola Air-Dry Clay
- Tempera paint
- Paintbrush
- Illustration of a basic arrowhead shape
Instructions
- Print off an illustration of a basic arrowhead shape for the child to examine. Basic arrowhead shapes can be found in Native American books for children at a local library.
- Prepare work area. Set out newspaper and have child wear a smock when painting.
- Have child use a golf ball size amount of clay for a large arrowhead. Show him how to shape the clay and pinch the edges to create a chiseled look.
- Following the instructions on the clay package, allow the clay to dry.
- When the clay is dried, the child will paint the arrowhead gray or use another natural color. Allow the paint to dry.
- With the marker, the child will outline the chisel marks.
Arrowhead Instructions, Grades 5 and Up
Lesson Objective
To have the child recognize the many different shapes that were used to make arrowheads, and to shape and sculpt an arrowhead out of polymer clay.
Materials Needed
- Polymer clay, such as Sculpey, in a natural color such as gray or brown
- Clay sculpting tools
- Illustrations of different arrowheads made by different tribes
Instructions
- Print off illustrations of different types of arrowheads. Arrowhead illustrations can be found in many Native American craft books found in local libraries.
- Discuss the differences between each type of arrowhead. Have child examine the arrowhead shapes and sizes.
- The child will shape an arrowhead of his choice using the polymer clay.
- Allow the arrowhead to dry as stated on the clay packaging.
Optional
- The child can make a hold at the top of the arrowhead to later string into an arrowhead necklace.
Lesson Connections
- History – Make an arrowhead when learning about the different tribes that lived in North America.
- Social Studies – How did the Native Americans hunt for food? Thanksgiving feast.
- Science – Shape and design. How does the shape of an arrowhead help the arrow travel faster through the air?
