02/11-02/20 - Clay Fish

Clay Fish

Lesson Objectives: SWBAT manipulate clay using their hands and clay tools in order to create a clay fish sculpture.

Skill to be Mastered: Successfully working with clay, clay tools, and paint to create a painted ceramic sculpture of a fish.

I Can Statement: I can use clay and paint to create a sculpture of a fish.

Teaching Strategy: Introduce project by showing a presentation about fish and the many different species and the different ways that fish have been sculpted by artists. I also show a video showing how to make a pinch pot at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UL5fQtO6qk. The presentation also has step by step pictured instructions to building a pinch pot fish.I will also model how to make the pinch pot myself so they can see first hand how to do it and ask questions at the same time. I use guided practice as the students progress through the project to ensure they are using the proper clay connecting process. I write the instructions on the board as a guideline if they have questions and I am helping someone else. At the end of the project I instruct the students to write a reflection about their fish.

Vocabulary:

Pinch pot

Slurry

Materials:

Clay

Clay tools

Slurry

Tempera Paint

Paintbrush

Paper towels

Water cup

Instructions:

1. Roll up clay to form 2 balls that fit just into the palm of your hand. 

2. Using your thumb press into center of ball about 3/4 of the way through. 

3. Begin to pinch and pull the ball of clay in a circular pattern until the ball forms a round cup or bowl shape.

4. Repeat for second ball of clay.

5. Cut a small hole into the bottom of one of the bowls.

6. Score the rim of each bowl using a scoring tool and apply slip.

7. Connect the bowls and smooth out the seams were they were connected. Set aside.

8. Form the features, (eyes, mouth, lips, fins, teeth, etc.).

9. Score and slip each piece before connecting.

10. Make sure too smooth edges as you go.

11. After fish has been fired, paint with tempera paint.

Modifications: Give extra help building the fish, and extended time to finish. Do not take point away if the fish does not have very many features.