Outline of Assignments
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This
is a complete list of assignments and brief descriptions for each unit with
links to student instructions and teacher lesson plans.
Unit One |
Unit Two |
Unit Three |
Unit Four |
Unit Five
Ceramic Terms and Processes
Detailed Instructions |
Teacher's Lesson Plan
It is vitally important to your ability to learn to create beautiful ceramics
that you understand the terms used in the instructions. Also, handling the
materials and gaining some firsthand experience with what they will and will not
do is also important. You will begin both in this overview.
A New Technology: An Early History of Pottery
Detailed Instructions |
Teacher's Lesson Plan
What is technology and why would we consider
that at one time pottery-making was a new, radical technology? What needs did
pottery address in those times and places and how are those needs addressed
today? Why do people do pottery today? What technologies today serve similar
purposes to pottery from its early beginnings? How are techniques and processes
that we use today to create pottery similar to and different from those used by
early civilizations?
My Amulet Necklace
Detailed Instructions |
Teacher's Lesson Plan
Explore the spiritual/ mystical uses to
which clay has been put to use since time immemorial. What powers did past
peoples attribute to symbolic items such as fetishes, charms, amulets, and
talismans? What attitudes and qualities in themselves go beyond the physical?
What purposes have people had for ceramic items? Do these purposes have any
things in common? Do they cross cultural and geographical boundaries?
Unit One |
Unit Two |
Unit Three |
Unit Four |
Unit Five
"Impress"ive Pinch Pot Vases
Detailed Instructions |
Teacher's Lesson Plan
Explore the work of contemporary ceramic artists working with the
pinch method of construction. Get tips from some pros. Then by the end of this assignment you will have created two or
three pinch pot vases with impressed or stamped designs.
Pinch Constructed Whistles
- Plain and Animal Shapes
Detailed Instructions |
Teacher's Lesson Plan
There are several ways to make a
whistle in clay. Explore at least one of them and create your own
whistle.
Unit One |
Unit Two |
Unit Three |
Unit Four |
Unit Five
Ancient Native Americans: Uncovering Past Civilizations
Detailed Instructions | Teacher's Lesson Plan
Explore the
coil-constructed pottery of the Mississippians and the Mimbres, two
ancient North American civilizations from the mysterious past in this web
activity.
Mimbres Inspired Coil Bowls
Detailed Instructions | Teacher's Lesson Plan
After seeing the beautiful pottery created by
the Mimbres, you won't be able to resist creating one yourself. This
project can also be used as a fabulous fundraising activity for your
favorite charity.
Mississippian Inspired Coil
Pots
Detailed Instructions | Teacher's Lesson Plan
Create a coil pot
with rhythmic flowing designs by letting the coils show on the outside of
the pot.
The Minoan Civilization
Detailed Instructions |
Teacher's Lesson Plan
Learn about an incredible civilization that flourished over 3000 years
ago.
Slip Decorated Elegant Pots
Detailed Instructions | Teacher's Lesson Plan
Try your skill at making very elegant coil
pots. The secret is to use a template to create your shape. These pots make
wonderful vases and are glazed inside and out so that they can hold water.
Unit One |
Unit Two |
Unit Three |
Unit Four |
Unit Five
The
Industrial Revolution and Arts & Crafts
Web Adventure |
Teacher's Lesson Plan
Slab Box Decorated with Sprigs
or Cut-outs
Detailed Student Instructions | Teacher's Lesson Plan
Follow along step by step to create
this rounded slab box with lid. Decorate it with sprigs and impressions
and underglazes.
Box with Carved Lid (Inspired by the Arts & Crafts Movement)
Detailed Student Instructions |
Teacher's Lesson Plan
Become inspired by nature like the artists of the Arts and Crafts Movement
to create your box with carved designs..
Unit One |
Unit Two |
Unit Three |
Unit Four |
Unit Five
Press-molded Cups
Detailed Instructions | Teacher's Lesson Plan
You can create uniform cup shapes by
pressing a slab or pieces of clay into glass or plastic bowls. Design
unique handles and feet for your cups.
Lidded Bowls
Detailed Instructions | Teacher's Lesson Plan
Uniform bowls can be created in the same manner
as the cups. In this unit you learn to make lids for bowls and to turn
bowls and cups into pitchers.
Unit One |
Unit Two |
Unit Three |
Unit Four |
Unit Five |
Unit Six
A Short History of the
Teapot
Learn about early teapots and about the Japanese Tea Ceremony.
Contemporary Teapots
Take a close look at what the teapot has become in contemporary ceramics.
There are traditional teapots and not so traditional teapots. What about
expressive teapots? How can the form and decoration of the teapot become
expressive?
The Teapot as Sculpture
Put together everything you have
learned to this point and come up with your own idea of a teapot.
Non-objective
Ceramic Sculpture
Ceramics as Crafts
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