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A Site for Teaching and Learning the Basics of Working with Clay

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Alternate Plan: Good for use if time is short or for leaving with a substitute.

[A descriptive form of the lesson can be found on the Overview of Unit 3 page.]

These coil pots can be kind of crazy. You can make all kinds of swirling designs on them. You just let the coils show on the outside in select areas. Be sure to smooth them on the inside, however, so that they will be strong. You don't want your pot falling apart in the kiln.

Primary Learning Outcome:

The student will be able to create a pot shape using the coil construction method and using the coils themselves as decorative elements.

Materials and Equipment:

Clay, Kiln, Work surface for clay, Clay tools, Cups, Water Supply, At least one small bowl for each student for pouring glazes, Internet connection, sketchbooks or drawing paper, clear and colored glazes

Objectives:

• The student will:
  • Create pots or vases using the coil method,
  • Use the coils themselves as a decorative device,
  • Use pre-made glaze to coat and protect the pot or vase and make it useful for holding water.

Worksheets and Handouts Needed:

1. Ceramic Glossary [ms word format] [rich text file format]
2. Coil Pot Handout [ms word format] [rich text file format]
3. Coil Pot Rubric [ms word format] [rich text file format]

Procedures:

1. Have a completed pot for students to look at. Then go over the parts of a vase. The website: http://www.joslyn.org/teach/packets/pots/define.html is a good way to show these. Students should also be referred to their glossary section, Parts of a Pot. Have students sketch at least 10 different variations on the shape of a pot and make decisions on where and how the coils will be used as decorations.
    
2. Once the sketches are done and a design is approved for the project, give students the handout on then, demonstrate how to do the procedure with students following along step-by-step as follows:
    
3. After kneading the clay to a smooth consistency, pull a golf ball size piece off and shape it into a smooth ball. Flatten the ball into a hamburger patty shape about 3/8” thick. [I always caution students about overworking the clay as it will start to look cracked and dry on the surface if it is overworked.]
    
4. Next, pull off another golf ball size piece and roll it into a coil about ½” in diameter. Attach the clay to the “patty” base, smoothing on the inside until perfectly smooth. Continue attaching the coil around the base and then to the coil itself, laying the coil a little toward the outer edge so that a bowl shape is made.
    
5. After one or two coils are attached, smooth the outer coils also. Smoothing booth the inner and the outer surface will make the bowl sturdier.
   
   NOTE: Just be sure to know where you will be allowing the coils to show and simply smooth the inside in those areas.
    
6. When the pot is completely made, smooth the top edge and loosely cover the whole pot with plastic so that it slowly dries to a leather hard consistency.
    
7. You may or may not add a foot at this point. If you do not, then tap the bottom just a little so that it is a bit concave. This makes it sit more firmly and distributes shock better when the vase is set down. If you do decide to make a foot, this is how to do it.
   
   MAKING A FOOT: When the vase or pot is leather hard, turn it over and lightly draw a circle on the bottom where you want the foot to be placed. Score and slip the circle and attach a coil in a circle on the bottom. Cut the coil off when you reach the starting end of it so that the coil is a perfect circle. Smooth both inside and outside attached edges, tilting the foot outward just a bit.
   
   Allow it to sit a few minutes so that the coil is a bit firmer, then turn the pot over and make sure that the foot sits flat on the table surface. You can put a bit of pressure on it to straighten it.
    
8. The vases should be allowed to dry slowly, but thoroughly, then fired.
    
9. After bisque firing, a different glaze can be used on the inside and on the outside. Demonstrate the pouring or dipping method, ensuring that the bottom of the foot is uncoated.
    
10. Fire again and use!