Clay pieces are cut to about the size of a child's hand. I have a plastic bin lined with a plastic bag and create layers of cut clay separated by pieces of plastic, unless the clay is a little dry and then I separate it with a damp cloth. I do not worry about forming them into balls.
Students are allowed to take one piece of clay from this bin and are taught to cover the clay with plastic again. I always have a bag (that a 25lb block of clay came in) of "extra clay" on the tables for students who need a little more clay during class. This extra clay bag is also where unused clay goes at the end of class. At night, I spray a little water on it, pound it down and close the bag.
Students work on pieces of canvas. At the end of class, students put unused clay into the extra clay bag. They let the the teeny tiny pieces of clay on their canvas mats "fall" into containers of slip. We are extremely careful not to let clay fall on the floor as the dust isn't good to breathe. I used to have students dump the pieces of clay into the garbage can but have found this method is easier.
Old rulers are hot glued together and used as thickness strips for rolling slabs.
Slip is stored in takeout containers. Fettling knives, needle tools and popsicle sticks are our favorite tools. I've found that my second and third graders are completely capable of using needle tools safely.
I found a small lot of lace doilies on eBay and kids love using them for textures.
Store bought and handmade stamps
I cut up tons of newsprint on the paper cutter. Students write their name and room # on a piece of paper and put their clay piece on TOP of this piece of paper on a tray.
I use a needle tool to write names/room #'s on bottom of clay when I have time. If clay is too dry to carve into, I use a small applicator of watered down underglaze. I often have parent volunteers help me with this task.
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