Unit One, Instructions:
Introduction and Overview

Students, these instructions give you the information you need so you can do these assignments on your own. Even if you don't have a teacher you can learn about ceramics.

Ceramic Terms and Processes

Exploring the Ceramics Studio

1. Take a tour around the ceramic studio. Either get your teacher to act as guide or use a printed out copy of the Glossary of Terms and Processes to see if you can find examples of the different processes and terms.

2. Crossword Puzzle and Glossary of Terms and Processes
   You can do the above crossword puzzle on-line or print out this version and use the link to the glossary on-line so that you can explore the links in the definitions as you fill it out. Your teacher will give you a short quiz when you are done.

3. How did you do? Take the Online Pop Quiz!

An Early History of Pottery

Project Instructions

1. Print out the Ancient History of Pottery Worksheet and fill it out as you view the presentation.

2. Look over the questions on the worksheet. You will need to write and present a paper which answers one of the following sets of questions:

 A. First set of questions:

What is technology?

Why would we consider that at one time pottery-making was a new, radical technology?

What needs did pottery address in those times and places, do we have similar needs today, and, if so, how are those needs addressed today?

What technologies today serve similar purposes to pottery from its early beginnings?

B. Second set of questions:

What is technology?

Why would we consider that at one time pottery-making was a new, radical technology?

Why do people do pottery today?

How are techniques and processes that we use today to create pottery similar to and different from those used by early civilizations?

3. Watch The Origins of Pottery and answer your questions. If your browser does not support the PowerPoint slideshow, you may also access the slides here. You will need to read this script that goes along with the slides. Take as long as you like to think about them. There is not necessarily one right or wrong answer to these questions.

Amulet Necklace

Project Instructions

1. In this project you will create a necklace which is autobiographical. In order to do this you will need to know a few things. Don't worry if you don't feel that you are an artist yet. I will lead you step by step but the final project will be yours alone.

2. Brainstorm some answers to these questions:

• In what ways do you think that the technology of ceramics might have changed over the years?

• What items do you own or have you seen that are made from clay?

• What are some of the reasons that people have used clay to make things throughout the centuries? Other than the practical?

• What qualities of clay do you like?

• You will be making an autobiographical necklace. Look up the word autobiographical just to see if you have all of its meaning.  In order to start thinking about how that could be, here are some more questions for you to answer with as many different answers as you can think of:

  • What are some issues that you or people you know deal with. Issues that you see and can understand?

  • Are there natural objects or items that have special significance for you? Anything with symbolic meaning or holding special memories?

  • What types of objects do you feel represent your culture or time period?

• Get a lump of clay and squish it around in your hands. Shape it into an animal shape -- any animal you like. Here are some tips to remember while you work:

  • Don’t have thin, delicate pieces such as legs or tails sticking out from the pieces. [Advise students to take note of how others solved the issue of legs and tails during their Internet explorations.]
  • Impress lines and features into the damp clay rather than scratching. Scratching leaves a rough edge that looks unattractive and unprofessional.
  • Don’t try to work too small. Remember clay will shrink some.
  • Be sure to think about how the beads or pendants will hang from the cord before making the holes for stringing.
• Now, you need to fill out the Past and Current Purposes Chart to fill out. This should help you to come up with meanings for your pendant or charms.
   

• Amulets and Fetishes Scavenger Hunt
  • Print out a copy of the Amulet Necklace Worksheet, get an art text, and go to the Amulets and Fetishes Scavenger Hunt web page. The worksheet tells you what to do! Be sure to check out the Amulet Bookmarks, also.
     

• Necklace Rubric*

  • Look over the rubric carefully. The clues to making your necklace are there. Get started. Your teacher will help you.

* A rubric is a tool that is used to evaluate a lesson.

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