Slip Casting

Meet The Teacher: Allison Welch

My name is Allison Welch, and I teach Ceramics 1, 2, and 3 at Aloha High School, just outside Portland, Oregon! I’ve been here for 7 years and am a former college photography professor. I adore teaching, learning, and pushing all the boundaries in education.

Project Description

My name is Allison Welch, and I teach Ceramics 1, 2, and 3 at Aloha High School, just outside Portland, Oregon! I’ve been here for 7 years and am a former college photography professor. I adore teaching, learning, and pushing all the boundaries in education.

Materials

  • Casting: casting slip, plaster mold, whisk, strainer, measuring cup, sponge, blue plastic rib, serrated rib
  • Surface decoration: underglaze, glaze
Download Material List

Grade Level

High School

Difficulty

Intermediate

Student Hands-On Time

2 weeks - 1 month

Teacher Prep Time

15 minutes - 1 hour

Project Cost / Cost Per Student

5

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.
  • 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
  • Collaboration
  • Flexibility & Adaptability
  • Initiative & Self-Direction
  • Social & Cross-Cultural Skills
  • Productivity & Accountability
  • Leadership & Responsibility

STEAM Education

  • Science
  • Arts

Differentiations and Accommodations

Differentiation

IEP

Accommodation

IEP/ 504/ Struggling Learners - students with special accommodations do so well with this project, as it can be chunked into small steps, cups/ bowls can be decoupled from attachments (if they dry out too soon), and attachments can be made and assessed separately. Extended time is also always an option.

Differentiation

504 Accommodations

Accommodation

IEP/ 504 - students with special accommodations do so well with this project, as it can be chunked into small steps, cups/ bowls can be decoupled from attachments (if they dry out too soon), and attachments can be made and assessed separately. Extended time is also always an option.

Differentiation

Advanced Learners

Accommodation

Advanced learners can make additional forms or participate in the Bingo "SLIPO" sheet.

Differentiation

Struggling Learners

Accommodation

IEP/ 504 - students with special accommodations do so well with this project, as it can be chunked into small steps, cups/ bowls can be decoupled from attachments (if they dry out too soon), and attachments can be made and assessed separately. Extended time is also always an option.

Learning Objectives: Knowledge

Students will learn how to participate in the industry-standard practice of slip casting. They can use this knowledge to potential enter a professional position in this field after high school.

Learning Objectives: Skills

Students will be able to cast, demold, and alter slip casts from 1-piece molds.

Learning Objectives: Attitudes/Values

Students learn about production ceramics on an intimate scale. We talk often about how the cups they buy at the store are probably slip cast, and how they feel about that. Making identical pieces from a mold is a great way to discuss value; are the pieces inherently less unique compared to a handbuilt, or thrown, piece?

Formative Assessment

Teacher can assess students' understanding through participation and refinement of materials. The teacher can always provide feedback to on casting thickness, trimming, and attachments.

Summative Assessment

Teacher assess students' work using a customized Standards Based Learning rubric.

Reflection and Discussion

How is casting slip different than the slip we use for handbuilding?Discuss the similarities and differences between slip casting and handbuilding, or slip casting and throwing. What style do you like (or think you’d like) the most?If something is slip cast from a mold, is it still unique?

Lesson Activities

Slip Casting

Students learn how to slip cast and start making their cups/ bowls/ attachments. As they make their 6 cups/ bowls, they can participate in the Bingo page on the front of their worksheet for rewards! Clean up occurs every period, during the last 10 minutes of class.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1

Instruction Sheet for Slip Casting

Step 2

Bingo "SLIPO" sheet with rubric on the back.

Additional Documents

Document 1