Ceramics
Clay has been used to create functionary items for many centuries. Shards (small pieces of fired pottery) are found from every culture in our past. I often ask my studnets: How and why were clay pots made and for what purpose?
As a visual arts middle grades teacher I have several concept goals I wish to teach:
- Concept: Understand properties of clay and firing processes.
- Concept: Apply coil, pinch and slab construction techniques.
- Concept: Explore decorative techniques and glazes.
Supplies Needed:
- Waer-based Clay (I use low fire 05-06)
- Slip
- Carving Tools
- Heavy Zip-Loc Bags
- Aprons
- Canvas Boards
- Glazed Test Tile Samples
- Glaze (cone 05-06)
- Kiln
My 6th graders focus only on hand-building while my 7th and 8th graders can work on the wheel. I have only one wheel in my room and wish I had more. The students really enjoy it and look forward to the clay unit all year. Unfortunately, it is one of the messiest too. Art is anything but neat and tidy sometimes. 
Lesson Plans
Graphic Organizers
Wonderful Websites:
- ARTSEDGE: Pottery with Artist Kerry Moosman
- Pottery of Native American Women A long but informative essay
- NetTrekker – Sites on Ceramics
- Making Greek Vases - Another wonderful site brought to us by the Getty
- Pottery Tutorial - An older site by John Hester, but one packed with educator friendly information
- Pressed Coil Pottery
- Clay Templates from Ceramics Arts Daily
- How to make large jars using flat coils
As of February, 2009 there was only 4 videos on wheel throwing on Teacher Tube. There are many more videos out there on YouTube. My school blocks YouTube so, to use the videos in the classroom I have to download them using ZamZar and save them to my thumbdrive or burn a disc.
From Teacher Tube
