Thursday, November 19, 2015

Handbuilding Ceramics with 4th Graders

This week 4th graders worked with clay. As you can see they love this! 
Last year they learned how to build with coils so this year to build on 
their knowledge we combined a coils with a small pinch pot. 
 Our goal was to create smooth and proportionate pots. 

Everyone began with a simple pinch pot.
While working on our pinch pot I shared that if one closed their eyes they 
will better be able to feel if their pot is even and smooth on all sides.  
They laughed and then they tried it. A lot of them were amazed that 
it really worked! 

After students made a small pinch pot we rolled out some coils.
Students used our fabric to measure a workable length and found
our pinky was the perfect thickness for coils. 

Next students combined the pinch pot with the coils.
They used a fork to score the clay with a fork and used
water to soften the help it stick. 


Gradually students built up the wall of their vessel. 





They were asked to smooth the inside coils together to create a strong wall.
Students found wooden tools helpful in reaching the bottoms. 










Gradually students built up their projects until they were around 6 inches tall.
Stay tune for the final project in a few weeks. 



Monday, November 16, 2015

Do you have any containers to donate? We recycle!

Do you have any clean empty containers just taking up space your house?  We take small yogurt cups, fruit cups, milk caps, and sour cream containers as well as the plastic lids. I bet they would love to make their way to the entrance to the art room. Just put them in the box by the art room door. We'll take it from there!  We use them to hold glue, paper mache, paint, slip for clay, water and small collage materials.  Thank you for recycling and helping us out!