Materials
Clay (a 2.5" x 2.5" piece for each student), work surfaces, sharpie markers, one quart-sized ziplock bag per student.
Resources
Test pieces from lesson 1
List of actions from lesson 1
Examples of simple pots of different shapes (straight-sided, rounded, tapered, etc.)
Images of ceramic artists handbuilding pots.
Students will create pinch pots using the technique described in the demonstration. Some students may need help getting the process started--forming the piece of clay into a ball and pushing their thumbs into the ball to make a well.
Sudents should write their names on quart-sized ziplock bags and place their finished pots securely inside. The teacher should verify that bags are zipped so that clay pots do not dry out. Students will need pots to be maleable so they can add texture to their work during lesson 3.
- What was the most difficult part of making your pinch pot?
- What strategies did you discover that helped you succeed?
- What changes do you still need to make on your pot?
The teacher should read When Clay Sings to the students before the next lesson.
Students should search museum websites for examples of animal sculpture. Each student should print out their favorite sculpture and bring it to the next lesson.