LESSON OVERVIEW 

BIG IDEA 

The ongoing exploration of colors, textures, and shapes for the pursuit of self-expression.

 DESCRIPTION

Students will learn how to use air-dried clay to explore pottery and hand-building skills to create pots made from the coiling technique or pinching technique. They will also learn how to add texture and decoration using various tools like rollers, forks, sticks, or other found objects and paint. They will also create their favorite animals using the same clay once they are done with the first project. 

ESSENTIAL UNDERSTANDING

The big idea of this project is that students will continue to explore their sensory skills to create three-dimensional objects using air-dried clay.   

INTENDED OUTCOMES

 Students will continue to create three-dimensional objects using air-dried clay and learn to texture and decorate them.

Students will become familiar with pottery techniques like coiling and pinching to create clay pots.

Students will learn to create their favorite animals as they figure out how to combine different shapes to create a creature.  

SKILLS / TECHNIQUES 

Students will learn pottery techniques like coiling, pinching, slipping, and scoring.

Students will learn how to paint and decorate 3-dimensional clay objects.

Students will learn how to combine different shapes to create an animal of their choice.

  NEW VOCABULARY

·      Pinching

·      Coiling

·      Slip and score.

·      Animal Sculpture

Teacher Examples

ENGAGEMENT 

Students were excited to see the pots that they had created in the last class which were completely dried. Some quickly vocalized the excitement of wanting to paint and decorate their pots. As they saw the teacher's examples they knew that we were going to do more than just decorating our pots which excited them even more as it was obvious from the last class that everybody enjoyed playing with clay. Students stayed engaged all throughout the process of decorating their pots and making their favorite animals. Allowing them freedom of choice to create their favorite animals and not just following the teacher's example excited them to explore their imagination and creativity which kept them engaged all throughout the class. 

WHAT WENT WELL

Proper planning and thinking through most possible scenarios and showing up in advance to prepare for the class helped with avoiding big problems.

Having a plan ready for the ones that missed the previous class and having all the materials and teachers for that project ready really helped with the smooth flow of the class.

Dividing up different responsibilities between different teachers/helpers helped with giving proper attention to every student.

Giving lots of options for the creation of textures and exploring their favorite animal using technology helped.

IMPROVEMENTS 

Not putting the paint out for anyone to grab but having a point person for delivering paint.

Strategically planning how technology could be used for idea generation.

Providing a different material than cloth for students to paint as they started decorating their pots.

Improvement could have been made in the division of responsibilities before class started.

Student Works

Reflection s

There is something beautiful about ending anything well. As I reflected on this class being our last one with these beautiful people, I wanted to make sure that we gave our best to this class. I came very early to prepare all the details that were needed for this class. The teacher examples were decorated in advance and the animal sculptures were also created. We put out all the materials that were needed for this class so that we did not have to panic at the last minute to find anything. I am glad that the clay needed for the class arrived on time. I am glad that we had Ayla also helping us during this lesson as this is a class where we could always have extra help. After me and Trinity, gave an introduction to the lesson, I gave the teacher examples and guidelines on how to start painting their pots, Zoe took the students who had missed the last class to create their pots. I am glad that we had thought about that part previously and I reflected on how important it is to think about every aspect of a class so that everybody experiences a smooth flow in the class.

Regarding the animal sculptures, even though my examples were simple, looking back I wish I had done more of a demonstration on how to combine different parts together and create an animal. Especially on how to slip and score again as I felt that some students were struggling with that part. I had prepared some ideas on my iPad for more student examples, but it only dawned on me, when my teacher asked me to show one of the students’ examples of a dog. I immediately pulled out my iPad and showed him examples and then I remembered that we have more iPads in the department and asked if I could pull out more of them. My professor encouraged us to use the iPads that were available which came in handy for students to see examples and create better. This was a huge learning curve for me to remember that if we can take advantage of technology in our classes, we should do that at all costs to make the lessons more effective.  

When I am teaching, I usually make a lot of rounds around each table to make sure that everybody has what they need this keeps me alert about the objective of the class and how to accomplish it in a way that everyone is involved, and no student is missed out. In the future, I would like to learn how to slow down a bit and make sure that I am attending to the detailed needs of students but also make sure that everyone is moving at a good pace to accomplish their goals.

Despite all of the preparation I still feel like we could have done much better in regards to better demonstrations, better assistance to the individual needs of the students, and other small details. I guess that's where we learn to become better teachers and better students each day. I was grateful to see that everyone had accomplished their goals of creating and decorating beautiful pots and creating their favorite animals. They were all excited to take the finished artwork home. In the end, we all did a gallery walk and complemented each other's work and gave everyone a big round of applause for all the hard work dedication perseverance, and active participation.

This series of classes has forever transformed my life. More than me teaching these students, they have taught me joy, gratitude, and how to persevere despite difficulties in life. They have taught me how to appreciate each other, to be always kind and respectful to each other, and to encourage each other to keep pursuing things we love in life.