Relief is a sculpture where shallow depth establishes the images. Think of coins. The imagery seen on coins is done in shallow relief. Tombstones are similar in that they employ shallow relief in the imagery they use.
This project allows students to work with clay in a non-threatening way through relief sculpture. Because relief sculpture is flat, students don't have to worry about projects falling or collapsing as they build higher. This project also gets students accustomed to the properties of clay and how to properly attach clay to clay so that it adheres properly.
Evaluation:
2 points -- Frame around tombstone
2 points -- Hangable or stands by itself
3 points -- Nicely indented/impressed words
3 points -- Relief sculpted object.
10 points total
Tombstone below by Alex G.