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Art and Life in Africa Project

Lesson Plan Databank


Plan Number: 011

Title/Lesson/Theme:

Pottery

Designed by: Moria Brown

Grade level/Discipline: Intermediate/Art-clay

Estimated Time: 3-45min. periods

Objectives (what will be assessed?):

Each student will create a clay pot that includes a "visual metaphor".

Description/Background:

Information regarding the creation and use of pots from the "Art and Life in Africa" CD, will be the inspiration for the creation of coil pots. All students should have experience making coil pots, allowing focus on quality and stability. The term "visual metaphor" must be thoroughly discussed and understood, using definitions and examples from the CD for clarity.

Step by Step Procedure:

WEEK ONE:

1. Create a slide show using the "Art and Life in Africa" CD, that shows the process of making a clay pot. (you will find this under "Everyday Endeavor")

2. Explain the difference between functional and non-functional art, explaining that this is a Western concept. The pots we will be making will NOT be functional.

3. Review the techniques for making a coil pot.

4. Have students make a strong coil pot, putting their names on the bottom.

5. Wrap in damp paper towels, cover with plastic and store until the next class period.

WEEK TWO:

1. Talk about "visual metaphors". Show examples of these using a CD slide show.

2. Brainstorm ideas for modern "visual metaphors" and show how some of these could be made out of clay.

3. Pass out clay pots made during the last class.

4. Explain that each student will be creating a "visual metaphor". It can be developed by using a combination of subtraction and addition techniques. (be sure to review slipping and scoring)

5. The pots do not need to be functional when finished.

6. See that the names are still visible.

DRY AND FIRE CLAY

WEEK THREE:

1. Glaze the pots.

Assignment in CD (essays, chapters):

There will be no assignment for students.

Studio Materials Needed:

clay, glaze

Vocabulary:

functional, non-functional, "visual metaphor"

Evaluation/Assessment tool (how will objectives be assessed?:

The students will have the opportunity to talk about their creations.

Bibliography/Alternative resources:

Websites:




Submitted 7/21/98