{Ceramics 1} April 8, 2014

April 8-11th, 2014

We will take a break from the notebooks for this week so that you may focus on finishing your work for this quarter.  Please remember that all of your Pinch Pot projects are due on Wednesday, April 16th.

Objectives for week:
1. Continue to recycle clay, as needed.
2. Continue to wedge clay, as needed.
3. Work on Pinch Pot Unit.
4. Add foot and burnish pots.
5. Create lid, flange and lid topper (pull).
6. Work on clay pinch pot rattle.
7. Work on Coil Pot.
8. Glaze your bisqueware.

{Ceramics 1} April 7, 2014

April 7, 2014

Focus:  Never pick at your glaze after it is fired.  It turns into glass and will cut you.

Objectives for today:
1. Continue to recycle clay, as needed.
2. Continue to wedge clay, as needed.
3. Work on Pinch Pot Unit.
4. Add foot and burnish pots.
5. Create lid, flange and lid topper (pull).
6. Work on clay pinch pot rattle.
7. Begin working on Coil Pot.
8. Glaze your bisqueware.

Closure:  

Leatherhard Characteristics
•Feels like leather
•Does not lose shape
•Still able to carve/etch & attach appendages/relief
•Still moveable
•Perfect time for burnishing

{Ceramics 1} April 4, 2014

April 4, 2014

Focus:  Crazing- Hair-line crack found in the glaze surface cause by excess moisture in your bisqueware.  Allow your bisqueware to dry for a minute before glazing.

Objectives for today:
1. Continue to recycle clay, as needed.
2. Continue to wedge clay, as needed.
3. Work on Pinch Pot Unit.
4. Add foot and burnish pots.
5. Create lid, flange and lid topper (pull).
6. Work on clay pinch pot rattle.
7. Begin working on Coil Pot.
8. Glaze your bisqueware.

No closure!  Happy Friday!

{Ceramics 1} April 3, 2014

April 3, 2014

Focus:  Why do you paint in opposite directions when glazing?
            Answer:  To coat your bisqueware evenly.  Also, to avoid seeing brush strokes on your glaze surface.


Objectives for today: 
1. Continue to recycle clay, as needed.
2. Continue to wedge clay, as needed.
3. Work on Pinch Pot Unit.
4. Add foot and burnish pots.
5. Create lid, flange and lid topper (pull).
6. Work on clay pinch pot rattle.
7. Begin working on Coil Pot.
8. Glaze your bisqueware.

Closure:   What two (2) things must you do before you put your glazed bisqueware on the Glazeware shelf?
Answer:  1. Dryfoot: wipe all glaze from bottom of pot and lid.  AND!  2. Check with teacher!

{Ceramics 1} April 2, 2014

Focus:  Pinholes--Small holes in your glaze surface caused by dust and rapid cooling.

Objectives for today:
1. Continue to recycle clay, as needed.
2. Continue to wedge clay, as needed.
3. Work on Pinch Pot Unit.
4. Add foot and burnish pots.
5. Create lid, flange and lid topper (pull).
6. Work on clay pinch pot rattle.
7. Begin working on Coil Pot. 
8. Glaze your bisqueware.

Closure:  What should you always do before glazing your pieces?
               Answer:  Rinse the dust off your bisqueware before you glaze!

{Ceramics 1} April 1, 2014

April 1, 2014

Focus: Dry footing-wiping the glaze from the bottom of your pot.

Objectives for today:
1. Continue to recycle clay, as needed.
2. Continue to wedge clay, as needed.
3. Work on Pinch Pot Unit.
4. Add foot and burnish pots.
5. Create lid, flange and lid topper (pull).
6. Work on clay pinch pot rattle.
7. Begin working on Coil Pot.

Closure:  List the steps for glazing your pottery.
Answer: 
1.  Rinse off pot in sink to remove dust.
2.  Rinse off and dry glaze brush before using.
3.  Brush on 3 coats of glaze going in a different direction with each coat.
4.  Dryfoot your pot: wipe the glaze off the bottom of your pot.
5.  Check with me and place on Glazeware shelf.

{Ceramics 1} March 31, 2014

March 31, 2014

Focus: 

Gloss Glaze: has a glossy finish.

Underglaze: stays exactly where you put it & required a coat of clear to make it glossy.

Matte glaze: has a non-glossy surface--think of the way an egg shell looks.

Objectives for today:
1. Continue to recycle clay, as needed.
2. Continue to wedge clay, as needed.
3. Work on Pinch Pot Unit.
4. Add foot and burnish pots.
5. Create lid, flange and lid topper (pull).
6. Work on clay pinch pot rattle.
7. Begin working on Coil Pot. 

Closure:  How will you know if your glaze is food safe?  Answer:  It will say it on the label (Certified Non-Toxic). Most will have a fork & knife symbol to represent “safe for eating.”

{Ceramics 1} March 28, 2014

March 28, 2014

I am grading sketchbooks today for this week!

Focus:   Glaze – A coating of glass that is fused to the surface of a ceramics piece.  The color you see in the bottle is often not the color of the glaze.


Objectives for today: 
1. Continue to recycle clay, as needed.
2. Continue to wedge clay, as needed.
3. Work on Pinch Pot Unit.
4. Add foot and burnish pots.
5. Create lid, flange and lid topper (pull).
6. Work on clay pinch pot rattle.
7. Begin working on Coil Pot. 

Closure:No closure...Happy Friday!

{Ceramic 1} March 27, 2014

March 27, 2014

Focus:  Negative Space - is the area of an image not occupied by shapes or forms.

Positive Space - is the area of an image occupied by shapes or forms.

Objectives:
1. Continue to recycle clay, as needed.
2. Continue to wedge clay, as needed.
3. Begin Pinch Pot Unit.
4. Add foot and burnish pot.
5. Create lid, flange and lid topper (pull).
6. Work on clay pinch pot rattles.
7. Begin working on Coil Pot.

Closure:    True or False: If you put bisqueware back into the water bucket, it will turn back to clay?


Answer: False! Once it is bisque fired, it’s chemical make up has changed into ceramic material.

{Ceramics 1} March 26, 2014

Focus:  Write down requirements for Coil Pot.
1.  9 inches tall.
2.  Show negative space.
3.  One side (either inside or outside) must be smoothed out.
4.  Craftsmanship

Objectives for today:
1. Continue to recycle clay, as needed.
2. Continue to wedge clay, as needed.
3. Begin Pinch Pot Unit.
4. Add foot and burnish pot.
5. Create lid, flange and lid topper (pull).
6. Work on clay pinch pot rattles.
7. Begin working on Coil Pot.


Closure:  What is the key to making the perfect coil? 

{Ceramics 1} March 25, 2014

March 25, 2014

Focus:  What is the difference between an appendage and a relief?

Objectives for today: 1. Continue to recycle clay, as needed.
2. Continue to wedge clay, as needed.
3. Begin Pinch Pot Unit.
4. Add foot and burnish pot.
5. Create lid, flange and lid topper (pull).  6. Work on clay pinch pot rattles.

Closure:  How do you know when your piece has become bone dry?

{Ceramics 1} March 24, 2014

March 24, 2014

Focus:  Carving: Removing a significant portion of clay in a decorative manner.
Etching: Scratching or pressing a decorative design into the surface of your pottery.

Objectives for today:
1. Continue to recycle clay, as needed.
2. Continue to wedge clay, as needed.
3. Begin Pinch Pot Unit.
4. Add foot and burnish pot.
5. Create lid, flange and lid topper (pull). 
6.  Begin clay pinch pot rattles.

Closure: Is this an example of carving or etching?

{Ceramics 1} March 20, 2014

March 20, 2014

   Happy 1st day of Spring!!!

Focus:  Remember to put BONE DRY beads of clay into LEATHER HARD Rattle.  If they are not bone dry, they will stick to the walls of your rattle.  
Please turn in sketchbooks to me today as I will be grading them for this week!

Objectives:  Keep working on Pinch Pot Unit!

{Ceramics 1} March 19, 2014

March 19, 2014

Focus:  Whenever you attach something to your pot, what must you do?  S_ _ _ _ & S _ _ _.  Also, remember to let any pot that has a foot, appendage, or relief, dry slowly in a bag.  If you do not let your pot dry slowly, your pot will crack and  parts of it will fall off.

Objectives for today:
1. Continue to recycle clay, as needed.
2. Continue to wedge clay, as needed.
3. Begin Pinch Pot Unit.
4. Add foot and burnish pot.
5. Create lid, flange and lid topper (pull). 
6.  Begin clay pinch pot rattles.


Closure: What are the steps for making a Pinch Pot Rattle?  List at least 5 steps.

{Ceramics 1} March 18, 2014

March 18, 2014

Focus:  

Requirements for Pinch Pot Rattle:
1.  Appendage
2.  Relief
3.  Holes for air to escape
4.  Choice of sound or no sound in rattle.
5.  Craftsmanship: Neatness


Objectives for today:
1. Continue to recycle clay, as needed.
2. Continue to wedge clay, as needed.
3. Begin Pinch Pot Unit.
4. Add foot and burnish pot.
5. Create lid, flange and lid topper (pull). 6. Grade sketchbooks. 7.  Begin clay pinch pot rattles.

Closure:

Write this down:  In class sketchbook this is what is required to be written down: date, focus and closure.  Please label each focus and closure for each day.

{Ceramics 1} March 14, 2014

March 14, 2014

Focus:   
Appendage:  An attachment that is added to your piece.  (Example: a handle)
Relief:  Sculptural or decorative designs that project from a flat background.
 
Today, I will grade sketchbooks.  
You will need entries for these days:

1.  February 12th: focus & closure
2.  February 18th: focus
3.  February 19th: focus & closure
4.  February 20th: focus & closure
5.  February 21st: focus
6.  March 7th: focus & closure
7.  March 10th: focus & closure
8.  March 11th: focus & closure
9.  March 13th: focus

Objectives for today:
1. Continue to recycle clay, as needed.
2. Continue to wedge clay, as needed.
3. Begin Pinch Pot Unit.
4. Add foot and burnish pot.
5. Create lid, flange and lid topper (pull).
6. Grade sketchbooks.
7.  Begin clay pinch pot rattles.

{Ceramics 1} March 13, 2014

March 13, 2014

Focus:      Greenware:  A clay body that has not been fired.
                Bisqueware:  A ceramic piece that has been fired once.
               Glazeware:  A ceramic piece that has been glazed and fired for a second time.

Objectives for today:

1. Continue to recycle clay, as needed.

2. Continue to wedge clay, as needed.

3. Begin Pinch Pot Unit.

 

4.  Add foot and burnish pot. 

 

5.  Create lid, flange and lid topper (pull).

Closure:  Sketchbooks are due tomorrow!!

{Ceramics 1} March 11, 2014

March 11, 2014

Focus:  (Write down two definitions.)

Score--The process of making hatch marks in order to attach two pieces of clay.
Slip--A suspension of clay in water usually creamy in consistency. 

Objectives for today:

1. Continue to recycle clay, as needed.

2. Continue to wedge clay, as needed.

3. Begin Pinch Pot Unit.

 

4.  Add foot and burnish pot. 

 

5.  Create lid, flange and lid topper (pull).

Closure:  How do you make slip?

{Ceramics 1} March 10, 2014

March 10, 2014

Focus:  Flange--A ridge of clay that is used to hold the lid on a pot.

 Objectives for today:

1. Continue to recycle clay, as needed.

2. Continue to wedge clay, as needed.

3. Begin Pinch Pot Unit.

 

4.  Add foot and burnish pot. 

 

5.  Create lid, flange and lid topper (pull).

 

 

Closure:  Question--Where can you find a flange?
               Answer--A flange can be found either on the the lid or
                                             in the pot.

{Ceramics 1} March 7, 2014

March 7, 2014

Focus:   Foot--The base of a pot upon which it can stand.


 Objectives for today:

1. Continue to recycle clay, as needed.

2. Continue to wedge clay, as needed.

3. Begin Pinch Pot Unit.

 

4.  Add foot and burnish pot.

Closure:  Burnishing--Polishing the surface of a leather-hard pot to compact it and produce and maintain a sheen at low firing temperatures.  Objects such as a smooth stone or the back of a spoon are good burnishing tools. 

{Ceramics 1} February 21, 2014

February 21, 2014

Focus: (Write definitions down--you may paraphrase.)

Plastic Clay:  Moist clay that is capable of being formed into a pot.

Leather-hard Clay:  The stage between plastic and bone dry when clay has dried, but may still be carved or joined to other pieces.

Bone dry Clay:  Stage of drying when moisture in the clay body has evaporated so the clay surface no longer feels cold. Your pot will look chalky and light colored. This is a very fragile stage and pots can be easily broken until fired.

Objectives for today:

1. Continue to recycle clay, as needed.

2. Continue to wedge clay, as needed.

3. Make practice pinch pots.

4. Begin Pinch Pot Unit.

Closure: None.  Happy Friday!

{Ceramics 1} February 20, 2014

February 20, 2014
Focus:  Write down the requirements for the Symmetrical Pinch Pot

1. The same all the way around (think symmetry). Rim will look like circle.
2. Walls need to be ¼ of an inch thick.
3. Rim should be flat and free of cracks.
4. Surface of pot should be smooth.
5. Round bottom on pot.
6. Foot on pot.
7. Need a lid with lid topper.

Objectives for today:

1. Continue to recycle clay, as needed.

2. Continue to wedge clay, as needed.

3. Make practice pinch pots.

4. Begin Pinch Pot Unit.

Closure:  Write down requirements for Organic Pinch Pot.

1. Walls need to be ¼ of an inch thick.
     2. Rim should be flat and free of cracks.
3. Surface of pot should be smooth.
4. Round bottom on pot.
5. Foot on pot.
6. Needs to have an organic shape

 

{Ceramics 1} February 19, 2014

February 19, 2014
Focus: (Two definitions to write down).

Grog:  Crushed fired clay that is added to wet clay to reduce shrinkage.  It is what gives the clay a sandy or rough feel.

Wedging:  Working the clay in a way that creates a more even clay and eliminates air pockets.  If you do not eliminates air pockets, you will create a pot that could blow up in the kiln and also destroy other student's work.  We use a technique called the "Ram's Head Spiral."

Objectives for today:

1. Continue to recycle clay, as needed.

2. Continue to wedge clay, as needed.

3. Make practice pinch pots.

4. Go over Pinch Pot Unit.

Closure:  When can you not recycle clay?

{Ceramics 1} February 18, 2014

Welcome back!

Focus:

Earthenware: A clay that fires at low temperature.  It is a good clay for beginners and also is good for throwing a pot on the wheel.  It is the clay you will be using in this class. 

Objectives:

1. Continue to recycle clay, if needed.

2. Continue practicing wedging clay.

3. Begin making practice pinch pots.

{Ceramics 1} February 12, 2014

Always write down the focus and/or closure.

Focus:  Recycling clay:  Reusing scraps of clay by mixing it with water and working it into the table or plaster until enough moisture has been absorbed that you can wedge or kneed your clay back into a workable consistency.  You can not recycle clay once it has been fired.

Objectives for today:

*Take Pre-Assessment Test: worth class participation points.
*Continue to Recycle Clay.
*Some individuals will learn how to wedge clay today. 

Closure:  Bring in small plastic container with lid and metal spoon by Friday.

{Ceramics 1}

What you need by tomorrow, Wednesday, February 12th:

1.  Sketchbook/notebook
2.  Spoon
3.  Yogurt like cup with lid
4.  Apron/change of clothes if you don't want your clothes dirty
5.  Lotion

{Ceramics 2 & 3}

Sculptural Ware Requirements:

1. 9 inches tall or 9 inches wide/long
2. Incorporate coil, slab, pinch & wheel into a pot or platter: choose two.
3. Adding sculptural element to vase or platter.
4. Use of decorative techniques: etching, carving, adding texture.
5. Show contrast--examples: negative space vs. positive space, rough vs. smooth.

Due Dates: 

• Sketchbook Grade: 5 sketches (do not need to be works of Art) Due by Wednesday, Feb. 12th.
• Greenware stage due by: March 7, 2014
• Glazeware stage due by: March 21, 2014

{Ceramics 1}

Recycle Clay Days: Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.

After this week, you may still have to recycle clay individually but for the most part we will be recycling clay in groups.

Thursday: We will begin Pinch Pots!

{Class Participation Rubric}

Burlington Township High School

Class Participation Rubric

Name: ________________________

Teacher: Mrs. Williams

Date: ___________________

Class:   Ceramics 1, 2, 3

Criteria Points

4 3 2 1   Attendance/Promptness Student is always prompt and regularly attends classes. Student is sometimes late and regularly attends class. Student is often late and regularly attends class. Student is regularly late and/or has poor attendance of classes. ____ Level of Engagement in Classes Student works the entire period and proactively contributes to class by offering ideas and asking questions. Student works for the majority of the period and proactively contributes to class by offering ideas and asking questions. Student needs reminding to begin working and often cleans up earlier than required. Student needs reminding to stay on task and rarely contributes to class by offering ideas and asking questions. Student is off task for the majority of the period and almost never contributes to class by offering ideas and asking questions. ____ Behavior Student never displays disruptive behavior in class. Student rarely displays disruptive behavior in class. Student occasionally displays disruptive behavior in class. Student almost always displays disruptive behavior in class. ____ Clean Up Student always cleans their tools and work area and often assists others in cleaning. Student usually cleans their tools and work area but does not attempt to assist anyone else in cleaning their area. Student cleans their tools and work area with a continued reminder. Student rarely cleans their tools and work area. ____ Preparation Student is always prepared for class with assignments and required class materials. Student is usually prepared for class with assignments and required materials. Student is rarely prepared for class with assignments and required materials. Student is almost never prepared for class with assignments and required materials. ____         Total----> __/20 Teacher Comments:

{Ceramics Project Rubric}

Burlington Township High School

Ceramics I,II,III Project Assessment Rubric

Name: ________________________ Teacher: Mrs. Williams

Date : ___________________ Title of Work: ___________________

Criteria Points 4 3 2 1 Elements & Principles of Design Planned carefully, made several sketches, and showed and awareness of the elements and principles of design; chose color scheme carefully and used space effectively. The artwork shows that the student applied the principles of design while using one or more elements effectively. The student did the assignment adequately, yet shows a lack of planning and little evidence that an overall composition was planned. The assignment was turned in, but showed little evidence of any understanding of the elements and principles of art; no evidence of planning. Student did the minimum of work required. ____ Craftsmanship All aspect of the artwork were considered and patiently completed. It is as finished as the artist could make it. With a little more effort in finishing techniques, the artwork could be outstanding. The student showed average craftsmanship; adequate, but not as good as the student's previous abilities, a bit careless. The student showed below average craftsmanship, lack of pride in finished artwork. Artwork showed evidence of effort or total lack of understanding. ____ Glaze Glazing successfully contributes to the form and is neatly and completely applied with great creativity. Glazing successfully contributes to the form and is neatly and completely applied with average creativity. Glazing is applied neatly and completely but without contributing to the original form. Glazing is unsuccessful because it was not correctly applied. ____ Execution The artwork was successfully executed from concept to completion. The student exceeded the requirements of the assignment. The artwork was successfully executed from concept to completion. The artwork was completed to the greenware stages, but did not survive the bisque firing. The artwork was begun, but never completed for a bisque firing. ____ Requirements All requirements are met and exceeded. All requirements are met. One requirement was not met completely. More than one requirement was not met. ____ Total----> __/20 pts.

Teacher Comments:

{Ceramics 1, 2, and 3) What do you need for class?

What do you need for {Ceramics 1 and 2 and 3}?

Required:

1. Sketchbook or notebook (can be a binder with paper in it).  This will be a place where you will keep notes or sketches for class.  Every week (on Friday, starting this Friday, 9/13) your sketchbook will be graded.
2.  Pen or pencil.  You will need to take notes and sketch for class. 
3. Small plastic container with lid for slip.
4. A metal spoon for burnishing (smoothing out your pottery).
5. A willingness to learn, work hard and get dirty.

Recommended, but not required:

1. Lotion: Your hands will get dry.
2. Towel to dry your hands: Sometimes the paper towels run out.
3. Apron: You need to bring your own.
4. Change of clothes: If you do not want your outfit to get ruined, you can bring an outfit to change into.

{Sketchbook}

{Sketchbook}

(Your sketchbook is worth 2o% of your grade! It will be checked every Friday.)

Reasons to keep a sketchbook:

1.  Visual artists need to think visually, making sketches of ideas that will eventually become artwork.

2.  To write out thoughts, doodle, & plan artwork.

3.  To expand your artistic abilities to drawing & color.

4.  Regular use of the sketchbook will help you develop your skills, your accuracy and your confidence in sketching out your ideas.

5.  To keep track of glazes.

6.  To write down problems or successes you have had in the past with certain tools, glazes, or clays.

7.  Note taking.

8.  To experiment with design & color.

9.  To collect images & information of other artist & artwork that you find interesting.

10.  You can also collect existing material (e.g., pictures from magazines, screen snapshots) and tape them into the sketchbook.

11.  To communicate with the teacher.

12.  It will serve as a way for you to refer back to your ideas over time.

Sketches do not have to be pretty, beautiful, or even immediately understandable by others.   However, you should be able to explain your sketches when anyone asks about them.

Class Participation Points

Daily Participation Points

(4 possible points per day)

A class participation grade will be entered at the end of each week.

1 Point - Be seated immediately, complete focus & take out artwork.

1 Point - Stay on task throughout class period.

1 Point - Complete closure & remain seated after clean up.

1 Point - Clean work area, tools and assist others in cleaning.  

{Ceramics 1} Syllabus

{Ceramics 1}

Course Syllabus

I. Course Description: 

Students will be introduced to the elements of clay, design, and fired finishes.  They will learn various techniques in hand building ceramic pieces such as the pinch, coil and slab methods.  They will be expected to design their own ware. 

II. Instructional Philosophy & Expectations:

IN THIS CLASS, you are expected to operate in a safe manner.  Horseplay is prohibited.  Stay in your general work area, and do not linger around the classroom or storage areas (Do NOT Block the Box). ABSOLUTELY NO FOOD is allowed in the classroom due to health hazards.  You may only drink water out of clear container.  All school norms pertaining to cell phones, ipods/mp3, head phones, and hats continue to be upheld in this classroom. 

You are expected to clean up after yourself after each class. This includes clay, tools, and work area(s) and floor. All materials must be properly put in its assigned area in order to work successfully in the ceramic studio. This also includes any duties that you are individually assigned. This will be discussed further in class. 

You may only request a pass to the lavatory or nurse. When using the lav, you must use the a-wing facilities. All other reason should be dealt with during your Advisory Period.  Any abuse of passes will cause your privileges to be taken away.  Also, no passes will be given the first 10 minutes or last 10 minutes of class.  Please plan accordingly.

Respect is of great importance when working in an open studio.  Do not touch other people’s work or materials.  Everyone is expected to treat each other with respect.  Failure to do so will result in disciplinary measures.

III.  Course Goals:

·      To promote knowledge and appreciation of clay, tool, and materials as they relate to craftsmanship and artistic expression.

·      To explore the elements and principles of design as they are combined to produce functional and non-functional objects.

·      To develop interest, self-confidence, personal satisfaction and creativity in solving art problems.

·      To develop positive work habits towards care and usage of clay, proper set up, safe operation and clean up of tools, and personal work area.

·      To develop the skills necessary to create, in writing, a critique of art works (self, peer, master pieces).

·      To utilize computers/technology to complete papers/projects by researching artwork, artists, and historical art movements.

·      Utilize numeracy skills in measuring, tessellating tiles, and glaze temperatures. 

IV.  Major Course Projects and Instructional Activities

Hand building Techniques
Pinch
Coil
Slab
 Tile/Mosaic
Wheel

V.  Course Assessment Plan and Grading Plan

All projects & class participation will be graded with a rubric, which will be given out and reviewed at the beginning of each assignment.  Your grade will be determined as follows:

60% Projects/Tests

20% Sketchbook/Quizzes

20% Class Participation 

VI. Exhibition

All students may take home their artwork only after the teacher gives permission.  In order to receive full credit for a project, it must be photographed and displayed should the opportunity arise.

VII.  Discipline

1^st incident - warning and parent phone call/email

2^nd incident – teacher detention & parent phone call/email & contact guidance and administration

3^rd incident – administration referral & parent phone call/email & contact guidance

4^th incident – Conference with parents, guidance, & administration (possible removal from class).

Note:  Any extreme behavior will result in an immediate referral to administration and removal from class for the period.  An example of extreme behavior would be any behavior that falls under the new bullying policy, any dangerous or destructive behavior, complete disruption of class, or insubordinate behavior.