UNIT PLAN

Course: Ceramics
Medium: Clay

Pinch Pot Animals

Duration: 8 Periods
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Kansas State Standard VA:Cr2.2.II & VA:CR3.2.I

Materials

Performance Standard: Through experimentation, practice, and persistence,

demonstrate acquisition of skills and knowledge in a chosen art form.
Anchor Standard 2: Organize and develop artistic ideas and work.
Performance Standard: Engage in constructive critique with peers, then reflect
on, reengage, revise, and refine works of art and design in response to personal
artistic vision.
Anchor Standard 3: Refine and complete artistic work.

Sketchbooks
HB Pencils

Objectives
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Students will research images of animal forms to develop sketches of an

animal and create a sculpture in the round based on these sketches.

Students will use additive method of sculpture to create a representative

sculpture of their chosen animal in the round with detailed texture.

Clay
Slip
Carving Tools
Rolling Pin
Wooden Rails
Texture Plates

Elements of Art
Form, Line, Shape, Texture

Art Production

Principles of Design

Period 1 45minutes
Introduction: PinchPotAnimals.PPT
Independent Practice: Sketchbook
Look through magazine and on the internet for an animal you
would like to create. Keep in mind the restrictions of your medium.
Thin legs like on a flaming are not going to hold up. This does not
mean you cannot make this animal but you need to have a multimedia
idea in mind that accommodate these restrictions.
In your sketchbook create at least 3 drawing of various animals. All
sketches are expected to show learned skills: proportion, value, form,
negative space, etc. I will reject any sketches that do not show
previously practiced and learned drawing skills. Once you have
selected the animal you would like to create, redraw it showing at least
one other view and a breakdown of the pinch pot shapes necessary to
achieve your design. You will need to implement perspective skills for
accurate drawings. Be sure to denote measurements for your animal.
Your animal must be at least 6 inches in some direction so you have
room to add details.

Harmony, Pattern, Balance, Proportion

Period 2 45minutes
Demonstrate:
1.) Form two equal sized balls of clay.
2.) Hold ball in left hand and push right thumb into the middle of the
ball leaving about 1/4" - 1/2" thickness at the bottom.
3.) Slowly and evenly pinch the clay, starting at the bottom rotating
the ball, moving toward the top edge. Leave about 1/4" thickness
at edge.
4.) Once both pinch pots have been created, score with a pin tool
both edges.
Pinch Pot Animals

Vocabulary
Wedging manipulating clay to remove
air pockets and make pliable.
Slab flat rolled out pieces of clay
Score making lines in clay
Slip a mixture of clay and water that acts
like glue for clay
Armature an inner skeleton made to
provide inner support
Green Ware clay that hasnt been fired
Leather Hard state in which clay is dry
enough to carve or cut into
Bone Dry state in which clay is ready to
be fired
Bisqueware Clay that has been fired

5.) Apply slip heavily to one pot.

6.) Join pots. They might not fit exactly, this is fine. Slide the back of
the thumb from one pot over seam onto the other.
7.) Once the seam is completely sealed, air is trapped like a balloon
and the object can be altered to create desired shape by gently
rolling and pressing.
8.) To form a head, make another much smaller pinch pot sphere
and attach it to body form using the slip and score method
described above.
9.) Add appendages such as legs, ears, tails, etc. Always remember to
slip, score, and smooth everything. If the legs or tail are
particularly thick hollow them out before attaching and create a
hole for air to pass from them to the hollow of the body.
10.) Cut a hole on the bottom to allow air to escape while drying and
during firing. Also, create an air passage between the head and the
body and any appendages that are particularly thick. .

once
Glazeware clay that has been glazed and
fired.

Art History/Resources
PinchPotAnimals.PPT

Modifications/Notes
For students who finish early or are
waiting for drying, etc. Glaze and bisque
fired pieces or throw on the wheel.

Independent Practice:
Wedge a large piece of clay thoroughly. Divide it into equal sized balls
for your pinch pots. Begin building your animals base structure. be
sure to us 4S method for joining pieces securely.

Period 3-5 45+45+45minutes

Independent Practice:
Continue working on your sculpture. Be sure to wrap it in damp paper
towels when necessary and always tightly in plastic.
Period 6 45minutes
Verbal Critique: Discuss and critique in progress sculptures as a class.
Independent Practice:
Continue working on your animal sculpture being sure to refine any
sharp edges often throughout the drying process. Add textures. Attach
everything with 4S method (use plenty of slip!) Do not allow your
piece to become bone dry until you are sure you are finished with it.
Period 7-10 45+45+45+45minutes
Independent Practice:
Continue working on your sculpture. Be sure to wrap it in damp paper
towels when necessary and always tightly in plastic.
Period 8 45minutes
Independent Practice:
Finish working on your vessel and sculpture taking into account
critique suggestions. Wrap loosely with plastic to allow the piece to
dry slowly. You will have to check on your piece repeatedly for the
next week to two. When it is bone dry, move it to the bisque firing
shelves.
Written Critique: Answer these questions in a Google Doc, use
complete sentences:
1. What part of your sculpture do you think was most successful?
Why?
2. What did you find most challenging in this method? Why and
how did you overcome it?
3. If you could change one thing about your sculpture what would it
be and why?

Pinch Pot Animals

Aesthetic Questions

-What did you find most difficult about this method of sculpture? Why? How did you overcome it?

Art Criticism/Analysis Questions

-Do the proportions of your sculpture mimic you drawing?

-If you could change something about your piece what would it be and why?

Evaluation Criteria
CONTENT

CREATIVITY

Student
demonstrates
understanding of
choosing appropriate
technique to create
their sculpture.
Student created a
sculpture in the
round based on a
sketch of an animal
form using pinch
pots as the base
form.

Student
experimented with
various shapes,
forms, and styles in
their sketches.
Student added a
sculptural or textural
element that suits the
form of their animal
and adds interest to
the overall form.

CRAFTSMANSHIP
Student created a
well-defined
proportionate animal
figure based on their
sketchbook design
with appropriate
textures.
Student removed any
burrs from their
piece, sealed all
cracks, and opened
air holes to prepare it
for firing. The piece
was removed to the
bisque fire shelf at a
bone-dry state.
1

COMPLETION:
Student completed
each step of the
project within
designated class
periods.
Student completed
all tasks associated
with this project
including sketchbook
drawings, verbal
critiques and written
critique.

TOTAL: __ / 20 pts.
COMMENTS:

Pinch Pot Animals