From digging a hole, to setting your table

Meet The Teacher: Devon Coles

I am my town's local potter. I've been working with clay for 27 years. I teach after school classes in my shop. As there is not a ceramics option in elementary or middle schools here, I am usually our students' introduction to working with clay.

Project Description

I work with students to process our local clay into workable material. We then make and fire work using that clay.

Materials

  • Clay sculpting tools
  • Glaze selection
Download Material List

Grade Level

Middle School

Difficulty

Intermediate

Student Hands-On Time

4-5 hours

Teacher Prep Time

2 hours

Project Cost / Cost Per Student

10

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.
  • Presenting - Select, analyze, and interpret works for presentation.
  • Presenting - Develop skills for artistic presentation and exhibition.
  • Responding - Perceive and analyze artistic work.
  • Responding - Interpret intent and meaning in artwork.
  • Responding - Evaluate and critique based on aesthetic and technical qualities.
  • Connecting - Relate artistic ideas to historical, cultural, and social contexts.
  • Connecting - Connect personal experiences with artmaking and meaning.

21st Century Skills

  • Critical Thinking & Problem-Solving
  • Creativity & Innovation
  • Communication
  • Collaboration
  • Information Literacy
  • Media Literacy
  • ICT (Information, Communications, and Technology) Literacy
  • Flexibility & Adaptability
  • Initiative & Self-Direction
  • Social & Cross-Cultural Skills
  • Productivity & Accountability
  • Leadership & Responsibility

STEAM Education

  • Science
  • Engineering
  • Arts
  • Mathematics

Differentiations and Accommodations

Differentiation

Struggling Learners

Accommodation

I find clay work to be especially beneficial to students who have trouble with focus in a classroom setting. The hands on element keeps them engaged while they are learning.

Learning Objectives: Knowledge

Students will gain an understanding of where to find clay in the ground, and how to turn it into workable material. They will learn how to navigate safety concerns (glaze toxicity,  silicosis) and safely enjoy the medium. They will have the opportunity to express themselves in 3 dimensions and gain confidence and pride in their work. They will gain an introduction to chemistry with glaze work.

Learning Objectives: Skills

Firstly, patience. When I start working with students, I find a lot of them are after instant results. Clay Work forces them to be patient with the process.Students also learn to turn a 2d drawing into a 3 dimensional object. 

Learning Objectives: Attitudes/Values

PatienceAbility to focus in a busy classroom settingPerseverance: My job is to challenge students who think their work is finished. "What if you tried this to make it just a bit better?"

Formative Assessment

I watch my students every step of the way and offer advice and encouragement where needed. Mostly technical considerations to help give the work it's best chance of surviving the process.

Summative Assessment

The beauty of my program is that there is no formal evaluation. The only thing resembling a grade is how the students participated and how they responded to the critique.

Reflection and Discussion

First Nations traditional pottery connectionGlaze ChemistryHow to generate ideasFrom drawing to sculptureClay technical data observation (ie: shrinkage, colour change, plasticity)

Lesson Activities

Clay dig

Children go to pre planned area where clay is present. Dig and collect clay. Clay is brought back to studio and submerged in water.

Screening day

Clay slurry is passed through mesh to remove coarse materials. Liquid clay is then spread out to dry to workable consistency.

Build day!

Children are guided through building their projects. Hand building and throwing.

Glaze day

I find the best, safest and most efficient way for young students to glaze is with underglaze. Still, have them wear gloves and go over the safety considerations. Work is then dipped in clear glaze as a last step to seal and make the work functional.

Kiln opening day

Probably the most exciting step. Unloading pieces one at a time. This is where one can teach students to photograph their work. This is also where we can have a group critique. Teach students to give constructive, tactful criticism.

Optional exhibition day

Plan an exhibition. Invite parents, serve snacks...