Eyeball Pinch Pot
Meet The Teacher: Aaron Keen
My name is Aaron Keen and I am a Ceramics teacher at Decatur High School in Decatur, AL. Prior to teaching, I was a production potter and private class instructor. I have always enjoyed making my own pots but helping beginners create their own work is now my favorite part of the clay community.
Project Description
The Eyeball Pinch Pot Project is my absolute go-to for beginner students. This project includes shaping, sculpting, attaching, and leaves room for creativity for overachievers. I use this project to embed critical knowledge in beginners so that they can go on to create bigger and better pieces!
Materials
- Clay
- Wooden Knife
- Needle Tool
- Scoring Tool (Optional)
- Sponge
- Paintbrush and Water
- Canvas or Nonstick Workspace
Grade Level
High School
Difficulty
Easy
Student Hands-On Time
1.5-2 hours
Teacher Prep Time
30 min
Project Cost / Cost Per Student
1
National Core Arts Standards - Visual Arts
- Creating - Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas.
- Creating - Organize and develop artistic work.
- Creating - Conceiving and developing new artistic ideas and work.
21st Century Skills
- Critical Thinking & Problem-Solving
- Creativity & Innovation
- Productivity & Accountability
STEAM Education
- Arts
Differentiations and Accommodations
Differentiation
IEP
Accommodation
Allow more time or assistance as needed.
Differentiation
504 Accommodations
Accommodation
Allow more time or assistance as needed.
Differentiation
Advanced Learners
Accommodation
Challenge them to create more than just an eyeball on their pinch pot.
Differentiation
Struggling Learners
Accommodation
One on one instruction in between steps to allow student to absorb knowledge and experience.
Learning Objectives: Knowledge
Students will understand how to manipulate clay to specific shapes, how to properly attach clay, and how to sculpt a basic eyeball though foundational methods.
Learning Objectives: Skills
Students will gain handbuilding skill and confidence as well as the basics of the ceramic glazing method.
Learning Objectives: Attitudes/Values
Students should be shown an emphasis on craftsmanship on this intro project. This small piece is easy to clean and simple to glaze. Express the importance of a smooth surface and attention to detail as it will carry on with them moving forward.
Formative Assessment
Students are using correct terminology and demonstrating processes - Score and Slip, Sculpting, Craftsmanship.
Summative Assessment
Student work is completed to satisfaction and the methods taught have been used and can be recalled.
Reflection and Discussion
When working on this project, be sure to ask students what they are seeing and what they are feeling. Are they seeing cracks? Do they feel the clay getting dryer? What happens when you pinch too hard? What could we do to make this stand straight?
Lesson Activities
Tools and Terms
Make sure that your students understand the tools that are in front of them their names, the uses, and how to respect them. Be sure to go over terminology that you will be using so that any new terms are not confusing or foreign as you begin building.
Building
You should consider going step by step with your students on this project. It is simple enough to allow everyone enough time to stay on the same pace and walking new potters through these steps can be very informative in the long run.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1
Students create initial pinch pot with teacher, taking a ball of clay and inserting their thumb inside to create the initial opening of the pot. Be sure to point out the importance of not pushing your thumb too far. "If you can feel your thumb on your palm, you have likely pushed far enough."
Step 2
After widening your pinch pots, have students refine the shape to their liking. I tell my students to play with the shape, find what they like, then make it buttery. Use a sponge and/or a paintbrush to smooth out the surface cracks so that the pot has a clean surface for adding features.
Step 3
Start with a small ball of clay, typically no bigger than a grape. Instruct students to make the best sphere they can and to throw the ball aggressively against their canvas. This will create a half sphere with a flat base that is easy to attach. Use a tool or any appropriate form to create a recessed pupil. I encourage students to try different shapes like snake or goat pupils for different looks and appeals.
Step 4
Show students how to take a small piece of clay and roll it into a thin slab. By creating 2 crescent moon shapes you have now made the upper and lower eyelid. Allow students time to dry-fit their eyeball pieces. Express that they should not use any pressure or water in this phase.
Step 5
Starting with the eyeball itself, show students how to score and slip. I like to show them how to dry-fit or place it on my pinch pot gently first to make sure that it will look right before I attach. After scoring the eyeball and pinch pot, add water and attach eyeball. "Give it a jiggle til it doesn't wiggle" Then score and slip your eyelids to your work. There should be score marks on the eye itself and the pinch pot for the eyelids.
Step 6
Show students the benefits and ease of smoothing out the connection areas. I like to show how a paintbrush can merge seams and how a damp finger can smooth out lumpy or inconsistent areas.
Step 7
Give students a small ball of clay, no larger than a grape. Instruct them to break it into 3 equal parts and form some feet for their pot. Let them know that they will need 3 feet so that it can balance and show them some simple options and methods of how to make a carrot shape, small pyramids, or even simple cylinders. For overachievers and creatives, allow more clay to make actual "feet" as their feet. Score and slip the feet in place. Test the balance but do not leave the pot resting upright as it may start to slump or lean in an undesired direction.
Step 8
Highly encourage your students to go over their work one more time. Use the tools they are now familiar with to blend all the seams and connections. Take any extra time to add additional features. Some students may add additional eyeballs whereas some students may add arms, hair, warts, tails, wings, you really never know! Once they are finished with their clean up and additions, be sure to sign on the bottom and allow to dry at least to leather hard before flipping the piece upright.
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