Do You Prefer a Slice of Cake or Cupcake?
West Virginia Art Education Association
October 18, 2025
Welcome!
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Michele L. Rodich
Westwood Middle School
Monongalia County School District
Morgantown, WV
Visual Arts
Grades 6-8
West Virginia
Content Learning Objectives:
MULTIDISCIPLINARY CONNECTIONS
VA.HS2.18
Apply creative problem-solving techniques to produce a multi-disciplinary artwork
ART HISTORY AND DIVERSITY
VA.HS2.13
Demonstrate in their own artwork a relationship to history, aesthetics, and culture.
MEDIA, TECHNIQUES AND PROCESSES
VA.HS2.3
Use materials, tools and technology in a safe and responsible manner.
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STUDENT WORK:
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EXAMPLES:
MATERIALS:
PROCESS:
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Project Timeline: depends on type of clay used!
Prior to Lesson Introduction:
Slice or Cake or Cupcake?
Vanilla or Chocolate Flavor?
Vanilla or Chocolate Icing?
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Turn & Talk or Think, Pair, & Share
What do you already know
about the history of cake or a cupcake?
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HISTORY OF CAKE & CUPCAKE
Cake
Cupcake
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VIDEO: WAYNE THIEBAUD
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I think of myself as a beginner. Sometimes that's the whole joy. If you could just do it, there'd be no point in doing it.
-Wayne Thiebaud
(1920-2021)
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DRAWING VIDEOS:
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POLYMER CLAY PROCESS:
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Complete drawing of either a cupcake or slice of cake using colored pencils.
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Using the template provided, cut out the pieces & tape together with masking tape to, create an armature of your cupcake or slice of cake. ***Sculpture can be made so the “icing” or top comes off, if desired!***
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Cover your cake or cupcake armature with foil.
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Don’t forget to put foil on your lids!
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Knead the clay to “warm” it so that it’s more pliable.
Use the Clay Conditioning Machine or Pasta Machine to roll Super Sculpey Clay thin. Repeating this process will free the clay of air bubbles.
***If you’re on a budget, PVC pipe 1 ¼” diameter will also work. Cut into 6” lengths.
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Wrap the thin Super Sculpey Clay around your armature. Pinch off any excess to be re-rolled and reused.
Use tools or fingers to smooth and hide any seams.
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Add your details-icing details, candles, etc.
***Remember you can add small decorations like sprinkles, etc.. after you paint with acrylic paint.
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Bake project in a oven or kiln at 275 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes.
Remove from oven with oven mitts…it will be hot. Allow to cool completely.
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Paint with acrylic paints. Remind students to take a small amount of paint.
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Finish with Modge Podge to add “sprinkles”, glitter, etc.
***I pick up sequins, glitter, etc…from Dollar Tree & place in small containers with lids to keep it neat & organized.
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Ready for display: clear plastic plate with a paper doily!
Students add credit line information with: Name, Title & class.
***Use an 3” x 5” index card to use as a tent card for display
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Process: Super Sculpey Clay
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Process: Super Sculpey Clay (continued)
5. Wrap the thin Super Sculpey Clay around your armature. Pinch off any excess to be re-rolled and reused.
6. Use tools or fingers to smooth and hide any seams.
7. Add your details-icing details, candles, etc.
8. ***Remember you can add small decorations like sprinkles, etc.. after you paint with acrylic paint.
9. Bake project in a oven or kiln at 275 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes.
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Process: Super Sculpey Clay (continued)
9. Remove from oven with oven mits…it will be hot. Allow to cool completely.
10. Paint with acrylic paints. Remind students to take a small amount of paint.
11. Finish with Modge Podge to add “sprinkles”, glitter, etc.
***I pick up sequins, glitter, etc…from Dollar Tree & place in small containers with lids to keep it neat & organized.
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Process: Super Sculpey Clay (continued)
12. Ready for display: clear plastic plate with a paper doily!
13. Students add credit line information with: Name, Title & class. ***Use an 3” x 5” index card to use as a tent card for display
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CERAMIC CLAY PROCESS:
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Process: Amaco #25 White Clay
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Process: Amaco #25 White Clay (continued)
5. Use patterns, if desired for cake or cupcake parts.
6. Score edges and use “slip” to join edges/sides of clay together.
6. Use tools or fingers to smooth and hide any seams.
7. Add your details-icing details, candles, etc.
8. ***Remember you can add small decorations like sprinkles, etc.. after you paint with acrylic paint.
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Process: Amaco #25 White Clay (continued)
9. Fire in ceramic kiln.
10. Paint with acrylic paints. Remind students to take a small amount of paint.
11. Finish with Modge Podge to add “sprinkles”, glitter, etc.
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AIR DRY CLAY PROCESS:
(VIDEOS)
(These are from teaching at home during the Covid-19 Pandemic!)
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SLICE OF CAKE
DEMO
VIDEO RESOURCES:
(Air Dry Clay)
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These videos are from Covid-
thus I was teaching from home!
CUPCAKE
DEMO
VIDEO RESOURCES:
(AIR DRY CLAY)
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AIR DRY VS.
POLYMER VS. CERAMIC CLAY:
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| Air Dry | Polymer | Ceramic |
Pros | Dries w/in 1-2 days | Use foil armature Great for details | Cheap Great for details |
Cons | Too thick-it will crack Difficult for details | $$$ Bake in toaster oven or kiln | Longer drying time Must be fired |
Cost | Activa Activ-Clay$13.64- 3.3# | $88.00/8# | Amaco No 25 ($41.47 per 50#) |
Best Polymer Clay Recipe
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Directions:
½ c. Cornstarch
Hand
Lotion
Ingredients:
1 Tbsp. Baby Oil
1 Tbsp. Vinegar or
Lemon Juice
½ c. White Glue
VIDEO: CERAMICS VOCABULARY & PROCESSES
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CLAY VOCABULARY ACTIVITY:
LINK to Google SlideShare Example
1. Add a NEW slide to the Google Slideshare.
2. Place the vocabulary term and definition on the slide.
3. Add at least one graphic to your slide as a visual reference to learn the vocabulary.
4. Add your first name to the slide.
5. Screenshot your slide.
6. Place your screenshot in Google Doc.
7. Submit.
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WRITING ARTIST STATEMENTS:
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RESOURCES:
History of Cupcakes | Cupcake Baking
YUMMY ART: Artist Study: Wayne Thiebaud - K12 Artists
How to Draw a Cupcake Step by Step
How to Draw a Slice of Cake Real Easy
Ceramics 101: Clay Vocabulary & Processes
COLD PORCELAIN: Perfect RECIPE!!
Flipgrid Instructions for Students
Clay Tools, Cake & Cupcake Patterns
THANKS FOR ATTENDING!
Contact Information:
Michele L. Rodich
Westwood Middle School
Monongalia County School District
Morgantown, WV
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