Pottery

Pottery

Lesson Summary

This lesson started with a powerpoint with facts and history about the art of pottery. We learned that pottery was very much used by the Native Americans. The powerpoint also included the step-by-step instructions on how to make the pottery piece as well as new vocabulary that is used when making pottery. After the two teachers demonstrated how to make the clay pot we were each given a piece of clay to make our own pot. To create our own pots we rolled, wedged, and pinched the clay. The teachers walked around while we were making the clay pot and helped us out and told us what to do. We were supposed to use the different clay tools to make at least three different textures. We were also told to use slip (a water and clay mixture) to smooth out the piece. I choose to make a heart for my piece of pottery. I inscribed a heart in the bottom of bowl part of the piece. I put texture on the bottom of the pot by using a screen type of tool. I also cut two hearts from the extra clay to put into the bowl part of my piece. To do this I had to score (created lines in different directions) the small hearts and the bowl before placing the hearts into the bowl.  I also put texture on the outside by putting lines on the outside by using a comb. 

Extension Activity

An extension activity that could be done with pottery would be to have students create small beads out of clay. These could be in many different shapes such as cubes, spheres, pyramids, etc. The students could use many different tools to create texture on the piece as well as designs. The students could then have these piece fired in a kiln to make them hard and also could be painted or glazed to make them more intriguing. The beads that were made by the students could be used to make necklaces, keychains, bracelets, etc.