Creative Ceramics

EE4 (pre-school), Kindergarten, and Grade 3 students finished off the school year with Ceramics projects. 

EE4 students learned how to make simple pinch pots with terra-cotta clay. Then, by turning the pot on its side, it became the gaping open mouth of a monster.  Students then used clay tools to cut and mold clay into monster features. By adding eyes, teeth, tongues, and other details, the effect was complete. 

Kindergarten students combined both a pinch pot and a coil pot to make a terra-cotta owl. After rolling out long "snakes", students coiled them around the sides of an upside down plastic cup. When the got to the top, they added the pinch pot to form the top of the head. They then smoothed down the coils with their fingers, and added features such as the eyes, beaks, ears, etc. Using a pencil, they "drew" feathers on the clay owl and the owl was complete.

Unfortunately, the school kiln broke down before we could glaze the owls, so they've had to remain in the bisque fired stage, but the students loved them nonetheless!

Grade 3 students studied Ancient Greek Black Figure vases and noted that myths, stories, and everyday activities were represented on the vases. After creating a design of themselves participating in an everyday activity, students began work on their clay piece. Using a rolling pin, they rolled our their clay into a flat, even surface. Some students then chose to create bowls or vases, as was their choice, and then using a pencil, they incised the surface of the clay with their drawing. After the bisque firing, they then glazed as the Greeks did, using only black or white glaze. The students were thrilled with the results!