Class #1

Project Description:

Students had the opportunity to construct coil pots. We began by introducing concepts that students needed to know in order to work with clay effectively. This included concepts such as slipping and scoring in order to make sure that there pieces didn’t fall apart. We also introduced the process of making a coil pot. We did a demonstration which allowed students to understand the techniques they were going to be doing, and then they had a chance to construct their own. Coil building is a primary technique that is used for ceramics, so it was important for them to learn. What we wanted students to learn was how to effectively create a base for their coil pot, as well as roll coils, and then finally use the coils to build up a pot. In today’s art exploration students were able to effectively use the medium of clay to create a coil pot with a base and coils to create a functional object.

Essential Understanding:

The essential understanding that students are working toward are knowing the building blocks of pottery, and more specifically, they will invent and discover different ways to successfully coil build a functional container / object of their choice.

Intended Outcomes:

Students will be able to define basic ceramics terminology by demonstrating their knowledge through the making of the pot
Students will be able to create a functional piece that combines the techniques learned during the demonstration with their own knowledge and understanding of the art making process.
Students will be able to make coils and effectively use the clay to make a coil pot.
Students will be able to analyze how their coil pots were built; aligning artistic decisions to their intentions (actions)
Students will be able to form clay with their hands with confidence, shown by a successful, standing pot.

Skills:

The skills the students are working towards are:

Engaging in class discussions
Focusing on instruction and applying the understandings
Problem solving when frustrations occur
Expression through creation

Documentation:

Some students had unique problem solving going into their pots, for instance, this student kept creating shorter coils than intended. Their solution was to just have multiple coils meeting at a general middle. This created a lot of coil rolling and scoring practice, something that some students had trouble with, but problem solved in other ways.

This student really demonstrated great craftsmanship while creating his coil pot. He took his time and put a lot of thought into every step. When creating his base he got a little frustrated and restated a couple of time because he could not make a perfect circle. After seeing his frustration one of the instructors suggested he use something circular like a cup to trace. The student found a cup, traced it, and then carefully made evenly thick coils for the form.

While most students made bowls or cups, this student immediately started creating a rectangular object. When inquired, this student was determined to make a jewelry box for their adornments. In the end, it had a lid complete with handle, and the student’s motivation and drive was inspiring to watch unfold.

Another example of great problem solving, this student had some trouble the first time she built her coil pot. She had a lot of trouble rolling out her coils and ended up making them too thin, causing her coil pot to collapse and lose its shape. We explained to her why this was happening and gave her more instruction and tips on how to create thicker coils. She restarted her pot and created a strong coil pot even in thickness all around.

All the students had creative and unique coil pots. This image shows the creativity that all the students had. They all thought about a function that they would like this pot to have, and then they came up with a way to create something that will perform that function. Some students decided to make bowls, some made cups, one student made a jewelry box out of coils. The creativity students had was incredible to watch.

Students learning to roll out a coil with clay. This student was just starting to build his coil pot, but ended up having a very tall and well made coil pot in the end. After the demonstration, students had the opportunity to try rolling coils and making a pot themselves. This student was working through how to turn a piece of clay into a coil.