This is before they were glazed and fired!
The 5th graders were taking their clay knowledge up a notch when we decided to make containers from slabs. This was a different process for them because in all the other grades, their projects began as pinch pots and worked their way up from there, so I wanted to give them a new skill that would challenge them, yet still be successful!
The goal was to first create their container using a slab and then create a base to attach to their cylinder. Then we talked about cleaning it up a little, blending those two parts together the best we could and evening out the top to how they wanted it to look. The next part was to figure out one simple shape that they could use to put on their containers. A lot of them picked circles or squares or triangles which worked out perfectly. They were required to have at least two additive pieces on their piece and two subtractive parts on their container. If they had time for more that was great and I encouraged that, but they had to at least have two of each kind of technique that we were learning. I taught them three different subtractive types of techniques that they could choose from as well to give these containers a little variety.
In hindsight I really wish I would have started this project with more time because I think in 5th grade, they do benefit from a class period of prepping and planning their artwork. We could have then talked a little more about creative abstract designs and how a lot of times artists start with those simple shapes for their abstract designs. I also was thinking it would be even more meaningful to them if they could do something that is personal to them such as their initial, or a symbol of one of their favorite things - because then they would have been more connected to their artwork! I know I did not have a lot of time for this project but it would have been nice to be able to add those more meaningful things.
AFTER THEY WERE GLAZED AND FIRED THEY LOOKED LIKE THIS!
The 5th graders were taking their clay knowledge up a notch when we decided to make containers from slabs. This was a different process for them because in all the other grades, their projects began as pinch pots and worked their way up from there, so I wanted to give them a new skill that would challenge them, yet still be successful!
The goal was to first create their container using a slab and then create a base to attach to their cylinder. Then we talked about cleaning it up a little, blending those two parts together the best we could and evening out the top to how they wanted it to look. The next part was to figure out one simple shape that they could use to put on their containers. A lot of them picked circles or squares or triangles which worked out perfectly. They were required to have at least two additive pieces on their piece and two subtractive parts on their container. If they had time for more that was great and I encouraged that, but they had to at least have two of each kind of technique that we were learning. I taught them three different subtractive types of techniques that they could choose from as well to give these containers a little variety.
In hindsight I really wish I would have started this project with more time because I think in 5th grade, they do benefit from a class period of prepping and planning their artwork. We could have then talked a little more about creative abstract designs and how a lot of times artists start with those simple shapes for their abstract designs. I also was thinking it would be even more meaningful to them if they could do something that is personal to them such as their initial, or a symbol of one of their favorite things - because then they would have been more connected to their artwork! I know I did not have a lot of time for this project but it would have been nice to be able to add those more meaningful things.
AFTER THEY WERE GLAZED AND FIRED THEY LOOKED LIKE THIS!
The learning objectives for this lesson are:
- The learner will be able to correctly roll out their slab the long way and the wide way to create their cylinder and base out of.
- The learner will be able to correctly form the cylinder for their ceramic container using the score and slip method as well as blending the two pieces together
- The learner will be able to correctly attach their cut out base for their container by slipping and scoring and blending the two pieces together
- The learner will be able to CREATE an abstract design for their ceramic container using only one shape to create the composition.
- The learner will be able to correctly APPLY at least three additive pieces to their ceramic container
- The learner will be able to CREATE at least three subtractive shapes in their ceramic container.
- The learner will be able to CREATE a design for their container that makes sense in the round, so all sides are included in the composition.
I will be handing back their containers so that they can look at theirs as well as walk around the room for a mini gallery walk to see each others work as well. Then we will wrap them up nice and securely for them to transport them home to show their families!