The Clay Creature Project is an introduction of a Middle School Pottery Sculpture Class. Students will start to learn how to own an art studio, be responsible, and utilize the opportunity and freedom to create what they want. This will help transition them into a class they could take later on, which is Pottery/Sculpture for 7th and 8th graders. When students are working on their emotion based, Clay Creature, students will rotate on the wheel to try throwing. This is an additional part of class because 1. We do not have enough wheels for every student and 2. We do not have enough time. The teacher and student should not expect to create a successful bowl, this time is solely for process and exploration.
Lesson Objectives
By observing Ceramic Artist Examples, students will be able to explore and see Pottery’s wide range of cultures, locations, and time by individual analysis and group discussion. (Comprehend, GLE: 1A, Bloom’s: Evaluate, Literacy: Vocabulary)
While exploring the properties of clay, students will discover the relationship between clay, air, and water. (Create, GLE: 3B, Bloom’s: Understand, Artmaking: Pottery, Literacy: Vocabulary)
Students will be able to choose their emotion, use existing art elements from observation discussion to communicate body language, facial features, and personality. (Reflect, GLE: 2A, Bloom’s: Apply, Literacy: Clay Creature Plan)
Students will use simple clay processes and rules, like slip and score, clay thickness, and kiln properties to create an expressive sculpture. (Create, GLE: 3B, Bloom’s: Apply, Artmaking: Pottery)
After using paint to help communicate emotion through color, students will reflect on their artistic process and decisions that led to the final product. (Transfer, GLE: 4C, Bloom’s: Remember)