ART LESSON PLAN

SUBJECT: CERAMICS

GRADE: SEVENTH

 

OBJECTIVES:

  1. Create a ceramic container.
  2. Learn to use the slab roller.
  3. Build upon previous knowledge and skill.
  4. Reinforce basic ceramic terminology:
    • Score and Slip
    • Leather-hard
    • Green ware
    • Bisque
    • Glaze
    • Kiln
    • Pyrometric Cone
    • See attached vocabulary sheet

MATERIALS:

Clay, clay tools, kiln, slab roller, water containers, glazes.

MOTIVATION:

Pottery was one of the first art forms explored by mankind. There are many extinct cultures throughout the world who did not leave behind any written record of their existence. For some of these civilizations the only evidence of their daily lives comes in the form of pottery. Some pots were for daily use and some were for ceremonial purposes. Some cultures buried their pots with their dead, and some had huge garbage dumps where broken pots ended up. Pottery and other forms of ceramics have left behind an important archeological record.

PROCEDURE:

After discussing ceramics and pottery the teacher will demonstrate slab building with clay.

  1. Wedge clay - demonstrate rose rolling method.
  2. Place clay on slab roller making sure that the blanket is down. More than one piece of clay can be rolled at once.
  3. Thickness of slab is adjusted with the boards on the bed.
  4. Turn handle until the clay is flattened, make sure that top blanket and bottom blanket remain straight.
  5. Demonstrate measuring and cutting slabs.
  6. Demonstrate scoring and slipping.
  7. Students should design containers on paper first. Encourage creative decisions. Handles, feet, and other details should be discussed.
  8. Containers may be built using any of the demonstrated techniques or a combination of them. The only prerequesite is that the container have a function and that it be designed with that function in mind.Demonstrate putting together a square box, and other shapes by bending slabs into circles or curved shapes.
  9. Unfinished work is wrapped in moist paper towels and saved in plastic bags until next class.
  10. Students continue working until projects are finished.

GLAZING:

  1. Show and discuss glaze tiles.
  2. Dampen bisque ware prior to glazing.
  3. Mix glaze thoroughly
  4. Paint even coat with a brush making sure that the bottom is free of glaze.

EVALUATION:

See attached Rubric.

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