Themed Clay Boxes

Meet The Teacher: Jessica Ott

I have been teaching since 2009 in all grade levels. I am currently teaching 7th-12th grade in a small school district. My goal as the art teacher at Kohler Schools is to expose my kids to as many art mediums and styles as possible!

Project Description

The students have to create a functional box that has a theme throughout. The theme can be simple like nature or more complex. This lesson teaches students how to build with slabs, attaching objects, possible small sculpting, carving/decoration, lid function, and glaze application (or paint if the student chooses).

Materials

  • Clay
  • Scoring Tool
  • Needle Tool
  • Rubber Ribs
  • Glazes or Acrylic Paint
Download Material List

Grade Level

High School

Difficulty

Intermediate

Student Hands-On Time

3+ hours

Teacher Prep Time

1 hour

National Core Arts Standards - Visual Arts

  • Creating - Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas.
  • Creating - Organize and develop artistic work.
  • Presenting - Develop skills for artistic presentation and exhibition.
  • Responding - Evaluate and critique based on aesthetic and technical qualities.
  • Connecting - Connect personal experiences with artmaking and meaning.

21st Century Skills

  • Critical Thinking & Problem-Solving
  • Creativity & Innovation
  • Flexibility & Adaptability
  • Initiative & Self-Direction
  • Productivity & Accountability

STEAM Education

  • Engineering
  • Arts

Learning Objectives: Knowledge

The students will learn and execute many techniques in hand building with clay. They should know how to build with slabs, what slip/score means, how to recognize the states of clay best for construction, and ways to cut and make a functional lid.

Learning Objectives: Skills

How to roll slabs, how to attach clay (slip & score), how to carve/add 3d objects to a form, and how to cut a lid from an enclosed form.

Lesson Activities

Brainstorm Sketching

Before the students begin working with clay, they must sketch some ideas about the theme of the box. Getting ideas on the paper is the best way for students to be successful.This should only take about 30 minutes, but it makes the building process so much smoother if the idea is developed first.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1

Additional Documents

Document 1

Document 2