Throwing clay for a reason other than play.

Author: Dana Twigg  07/26/2001 12:00:00 AM EDT		 TaskStream - Advancing Educational Excellence

VITAL INFORMATION
Subject(s):
Art
 
Topic or Unit of Study:
Wheel Throwing
 
Grade/Level:
7-8
 
Objective:
To help them better understand the origins of the process, options of approaches, materials and tools used in the creation of wheel thrown projects.
 
Summary:
"Create wheel thrown projects in a fraction of the time needed to create hand built projects"
The students will be directed to use the web to explore and research techniques used in the development of the skills needed to throw clay objects on the wheel. Also, they will be given hand-outs and hands-on demonstrations that will familiarize the students with the classroom applications of the information they have gathered. Once their projects are designed and skills are developed, the students will proceed with their plan and attempt the completion of their assigned project objectives. Results of their efforts will be posted in the school art gallery at ArtWorksPlus.com in the ceramics section for all to see and use for motivation of their own projects.
 
IMPLEMENTATION
Learning Context:
The unit on "Throwing on the wheel" is currently part of the art curriculum. The research, design, review, and critique procedure allows the students to gain a deeper understanding of the art concepts associated with the project rather than just "creating a vase..." In addition by design, the art history unit covered during the semesters prior to this project are the art of Greece and Rome where many wheel thrown artifacts are featured.The appreciation of these art objects from antiquity is realized much more.
 
Procedure:
The unit on "throwing on the wheel" falls usually in the 3rd semester of our course of study. The students are skilled in most other methods of construction used in the field of ceramics.
In this unit, the students will first be given a hand-out dealing with the skill, then participate in an hands-on demonstration that shows the skills mentioned in the hand-out. The students then will be allowed time to design possible projects that they would like to attempt to create by reviewing resourse materials such as suggested web-sites dealing with the topic, texts that are available in class, and charts outlining the steps to the creation of a wheel thrown project displayed in thte ceramic area. During this time, students will be given a "hands-on" experience using the wheel to begin to develop the skills they will need in this excersize. Once the instructor is satisfied with the students skill level, project work may begin on the approved project sheet design.The students work in groups of two on a rotating basis on the wheels available in our artroom. The students are given 1.5lbs of clay for this project which they must keep workable throughout the unit. The students are given three attempts to complete their project in class, and as many attempts as needed outside of class to create the desired project. Once the project is created they are taken out of the rotation, and they allow the project to dry to a leather-hard state for finishing before the bisque fire. The greenware project is then self-evaluated both by grade and by summary by the student and graded by the instructor for the construction phase of the unit.
 
Sample Student Products:
Attachments
  1. Wheel Directions Model Student Product
  2. Thrown cups Model Student Product
  3. Wheel set Student Product
  4. Wheel Cups The students will complete a "project sheet" describing their project concept complete with a sketch and notes pertaining to creative applications to be used in the completion of their project. The students will create a container that will have at least 1, 6" dimension with a minimum height of 4". The project must be an attempt to be what they designed on their project sheet with the option to update their original design as the work progresses. The student will complete their self-evaluation portion of their project sheet, complete with a summary of their reflections on how the experience went and what they feel about the product they created.
 
Collaboration:
Students will work both collaboratively and individually. Students will work in groups of 2.
 
Time Allotment:
3 class periods. 35 Min. per class.
 
Author's Comments & Reflections:
None at present. Have fun with this lesson. It really works well for us.
 
MATERIALS AND RESOURCES
Instructional Materials:
Attachments
  1. Wheel directions Student Materials
 
Resources:
  • Materials and resources:
    Texts, charts and hand-outs
  • Technology resources:
    Internet Explorer, Netscape, Photoshop, none
  • The number of computers required is 1.
  • Students Familiarity with Software Tool:
    Students are trained in class to the mastery level of understanding the operation of the wheels and associated hand tools available in our artroom during the unit.
  • Reasearch for types of wheel projects and options for embellishments are done on computers located in the artroom. Students are free to research for ideas anytime during the creative process
 
STANDARDS & ASSESSMENT
Standards:
PA- Pennsylvania Academic Standards
• Subject : Arts and Humanities
• Area 9.1: Production, Performance and Exhibition of Dance, Music, Theatre and Visual Arts
• Grade : Grade 12
 Standard A.: Know and use the elements and principles of each art form to create works in the arts and humanities.
 Standard B.: Recognize, know, use and demonstrate a variety of appropriate arts elements and principles to produce, review and revise original works in the arts.
 Standard C.: Integrate and apply advanced vocabulary to the arts forms.
 Standard D.: Demonstrate specific styles in combination through the production or performance of a unique work of art.
 Standard E.: Delineate a unifying theme through the production of a work of art that reflects skills in media processes and techniques.
 Standard F.: Analyze works of arts influenced by experiences or historical and cultural events through production, performance or exhibition.
 Standard G.: Analyze the effect of rehearsal and practice sessions.
 Standard H.: Demonstrate and maintain materials, equipment and tools safely at work and performance places
 Standard K.: Analyze and evaluate the use of traditional and contemporary technologies in furthering knowledge and understanding in the humanities.
 
Assessment Plan:
The students are required to fill out and design their project on a project sheet for the unit. (approval stage)
Students create wheel thrown project, self-evaluate themselves and submit it to the instructor for evaluation.(100pt. scale)
Students write overview of topic experience and critique their work in paragraph form. (Max.10 bonus pts.)
 
Assessment/Rubrics:
Rubrics
  1. Wheel Throwing
Attachments
  1. Wheel Student Assessment Materials