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Plan Number: 014
Title/Lesson/Theme:
Ceramics
Designed by: Teri Breck
Grade level/Discipline: 9-12/Art-Ceramics
Estimated Time: 2 weeks
Objectives (what will be assessed?):
1. Students will identify characteristics of pottery from the Bamana women.
2. Students will identify relationships between utilitarian forms and natural forms.
3. Students will develop their own set of visuals that produce design solutions with reference to Bamana women potters and natural objects.
4. Students will employ various materials, processes, and tools in the construction of the vessel.
5. Students will be able to demonstrate a knowledge of the vocabulary highlighted in Barbara Frank's essay.
Description/Background:
Through a visual research and discussion, students will expand their understanding of pottery-making of the Bamana women potters. The students visual research will include viewing Barbara Frank's essay followed by discussion of the text, vocabulary and visuals. The other visual research will include examining and drawing natural forms. As a product of their investigation, students will create a functional vessel based on their drawings of natural forms and the study of pottery created by the Bamana women.
Step by Step Procedure:
Day one:
1.View essay by Barbara Frank located in the Essay hot link located on the Art and Life in Africa.
2.Discuss the pottery making techniques, vocabulary, and functions of the Bamana pottery.
3.Discuss the Elements of the African Aesthetic worksheet.
Day two:
1.Discuss the relationships of the natural forms and the utilitarian forms of the Bamana pottery.
2.Students will draw multiple images from the collected natural forms.
3.From these images students will assimilate new ideas.
Day three:
1.Students will select 2-3 drawings from their visual research and rework to a more finished piece.
Days four-eight:
1.Students will begin construction from one of the three best visual ideas.
a.coil construction
b.slab construction
c.bases of vessel constructed from puki forms.
2.As vessels are drying encourage students to finish surface by burnishing their pots.
a. A solution of terra sigilata may be applied to the surface along with burnishing.
b. Instructor will fire student vessels to approiate firing temperature.
Pit Firing / Post Firing:
Post firing must take place in an outdoor setting.
Students will collect fuel for post firing (dung, sawdust, pine needles, wood scraps, food scraps, salt, etc.)
Try to incorporate as many of the post firing techniques found in Barbara Frank's essay
Assignment in CD (essays, chapters):
Barbara Frank E. (SUNY at Stony Brook) Bamana Women Pottery"
Studio Materials Needed:
Variety of natural forms (gourds, vegetables, fruits, leaves, shells, pinecones, rocks)
paper, pencil
clay, puki, clay tools, burnishing tools, terra sigliatta post firing materials
Vocabulary:
See highlighted words in Barbra Franks essay
puki
Evaluation/Assessment tool (how will objectives be assessed?:
1. Successful completion of the vessel
2. Vocabulary worksheet
3. Evaluation of drawings
Bibliography/Alternative resources:
Websites:
Submitted 7/21/98