Lesson Plan : Pottery Making
Teacher Name: | Lauren Domingue |
Grade: | Grade 7-8 |
Subject: | Arts and Crafts |
Topic: | How to make pottery. |
Content: | The students will be learning about clay (it's origin, different kinds, how to use it to make pottery, how to make a pinch pot, etc.): Clay is the product of the weathering of the surface of the earth and of rocks. Clay is extremely common because weathering takes place often. When wet, clay tends to hold any shape that is given to it. This is called plasticity. Plasticity can be attributed to fineness of grain. There are many different kinds of clay. Some of which are: kaolin, ball clays, fire clays, sagger, stoneware, adobe, flint, shale, bentonie, and terra cotta. To prepare clay for the shaping of it, you should knead it and wedge it. When hand-shaping clay, you squeeze and press it. There are many different kinds of pottery. Some of which are: pinch pots, coil pots, and woven bowls. When making pottery there are many different kinds of techniques to use like throwing and turning clay with the wheel, slab building, and rolling clay. Lids, lugs, and handles can all be used to add detail to pottery. Many potters make use of plaster molds in their work for making forms that aren't hand-shaped by building or throwing. A glaze is a special kind of glass that is chemically formulated to stick firmly to the surface of the clay when fired. A kiln, which is sometimes used in making pottery, is an enclosed construction in which the ceramic ware is placed and heated until the heat passes through and fires the ware. Some of the types of kilns used are electric, gas, solid fuel, and temperature gauges. Hand tools are used for cutting, turning, scraping, and modeling clay. |
Goals: | To teach my class about pottery and clay and to teach them how to make pottery. |
Objectives: | The students will do a hands-on project. They will make a piece of pottery (a pinch pot) with my instructions. Those who can't get the material will be given a written test about clay. The students will be graded on how well their finished product is or on how well they did on their test. |
Materials: | For students working on the project: clay, spray bottle, sponge, and hand tools (though only clay needs to be brought in by the students). For students working on the test: pencil and an eraser if needed. |
Introduction: | Today we will be making pottery out of clay. I will demonstrate how to make this pinch pot and then you will have to make one too. Those without the materials needed for this assignment will be given a test about clay. |
Development: | Take out your clay and break off a piece that is about the size of your fist. Knead the lump by squeezing it and pushing it until it is not too soft and not too hard. Roll the lump of clay into a smooth ball. Start squeezing and pressing the ball with the flat side of your fingers from the center of the clay and rotate around it leaving a thick rim. As you are rotating, angle your fingers to create a wide opening. Once this is done you can use the spray bottle and sponge to wet and smooth the bowl, leaving it with no cracks. You can also use the tools to better shape, smooth, and make contour the pot. Afterwards, you can use the tools to make designs in the clay by scratching away at the clay and making engravings. Then you can take the clay home and let it dry over night. To make clay durable and hard and to decrease the chance of it cracking, you can fire it in a kiln. You can also decorate it further by painting it and glazing it. |
Practice: | While the students are working on their hands-on project, I will be describing the steps needed to take to make the pinch pot. I will also take any questions and individually help students if needed. |
Accommodations: | If the student can't get clay to make a piece of pottery, then that student can instead take a test about clay and pottery. |
Checking For Understanding: | I will grade the finished pots based on how well it was made and I will grade the tests taken. |
Closure: | You have now learned about clay and pottery and you have created a piece of pottery of your own. |
Evaluation: | I will grade the finished pots based on how well it was made and I will grade the tests taken. |
Teacher Reflections: |
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