Method: pre cut 15" sheets of heavy duty foil.(cut two for each student).
Have students create a very irregular shaped low ovalish containers. Sides
should be one and a half inches high. Walls and bottom will be sturdy if
you form properly. Try it youself first. Prepare plaster, when thick enough
pour into containers which serve as molds. Do not smooth top, let plaster
set into its natural position which will look like the walls of flatish,
but textured cave stone. Let harden. (happens fast) Draw cave images with
charcoal on plaster. Then, using fingers, dip into thinish tempera and
finger paint, I believe I read somewhere that some cave painters painted
with their fingers. When finished either leave in foil or remove. To hang,
you must make holes in plaster before it sets. You could poke two pencils,
not near edge, but about one inch down from the top, into plaster and leave
until clay hardens.Remove pencils. Thread rawhide lacing, or twine, into
holes as hanging device. Remember to have students sign name.
I did this lesson at camp, with 5-6 year olds. It was more complex, we made
our own paints from berries, etc. The results were great.
Also, remember not to let plaster go down sink drain.