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Elementary [1st-5th] Lesson Plan

Pinch Pot Creatures

Created on March 19, 2013 by KatieMorris

The goal of this lesson is for students to become comfortable using pinch pots and attachment methods with working with clay. The students will practice by creating creatures.

18 Keeps, 3 Likes, 2 Comments

THE PLAN
2 sessions; 40 minutes per session
1. The students will learn about and utilize clay handbuilding techniques including pinch pots and attaching methods.
2. The students will understand that clay is a natural material that comes out of the earth.
3. The students will observe properties of wet clay and how the clay changes when dry.
4. The students will review basic anatomical facts about animal groups including insects, reptiles, and fish.
1. Clay (air dry or regular)
2. Clay Tools
3. Paint (watercolor, tempera) or Glaze

Need these materials? Visit Blick!
1. Demo
-Separate clay: bigger chunk for body, smaller for attached details.
-Make pinch pot: Roll bigger piece of clay into a ball, shove thumb into center, rotate and pinch to form a small bowl.
-Show how to turn pinch pot into different creatures
>Turtle: bowl upside down to form shell, attach head and legs from underside using "score, slip, squish, and smooth"
>Ladybug/other insect: bowl upside down to form domed shell, attach head and legs from underside using "score, slip, squish, and smooth."
>Fish: bowl on its side to form wide open mouth, attach eyes, tail, and fins using "score, slip, squish, and smooth."
-Use clay tools to add details including designs on shell and texture when appropriate.
2. Build clay projects. Students can make another creature other than what was demonstrated as long as they are practicing pinch pots and attachment methods.
3. Paint creatures (2nd class)
-Watercolor or tempera cakes for air dry clay, glaze for fired clay.
Look for craftsmanship and strength of attachments.
Instead of having pre-mixed slip, students dip one finger into a tub of water to apply a little to the scored sections.
1st grade students study animal groups in science so it's a good way to review basics like "how many legs does an insect have", etc.
THE STANDARDS

Visual Arts Standard 1:
Understanding and applying media, techniques, and processes


[K-4] Students use different media, techniques, and processes to communicate ideas, experiences, and stories
[K-4] Students use art materials and tools in a safe and responsible manner
[K-4] Students know the differences between materials, techniques, and processes

Visual Arts Standard 2:
Using knowledge of structures and functions


[K-4] Students use visual structures and functions of art to communicate ideas

Visual Arts Standard 3:
Choosing and evaluating a range of subject matter, symbols, and ideas


[K-4] Students explore and understand prospective content for works of art

Visual Arts Standard 6:
Making connections between visual arts and other disciplines


[K-4] Students identify connections between the visual arts and other disciplines in the curriculum
THE FEATURES
Form
Ceramics
Science

  • MrsImpey 05/07/2013 at 06:18am
    I did a similar project last year. While the projects were waiting to be fired in the kiln, I had the students draw the environment their animal lived in as an extension.


  • MReileArtEd 05/27/2013 at 05:41am
    I love the idea of allowing students to choose what to turn their pinch pot into. So many teachers I know have their students follow along to create the same thing. At the end of class everyone has an owl that looks very similar. Allowing the students to make creative choices is wonderful.