Students will discuss and explore form and line as Elements of Art. Students will learn to recognize different forms in their environment, completing art activities using sculpture and drawing in order to emphasis their new knowledge. Students will also incorporate ideas about self in their original artwork.
Created by Alisa Ripley, October 2006
The students will learn appropriate vocabulary to discuss the use of art elements such as color, texture, form, line, space, and value through discussions on ceramic form. TEKS §117.14. Fine Arts (4.1)(B)(1)
The students will express ideas about self and life experiences, using a variety of media in the creation of original artwork. TEKS §117.14. Fine Arts (4.2)(A)(1,2); (4.2)(B); (4.2)(C)(1,2)
The students will make informed judgments about personal artwork and the artwork of classmates. TEKS §117.14. Fine Arts (4.4)(A)(B)
Students will discuss and explore form and line as elements of art. Students will learn to recognize different forms in their environment, create a form using clay, and relay a personal experience using basic line drawing to create a pictograghical story. Students will also incorporate ideas about self in original artwork.
Clay is stiff, moist earth that is used for brick making, tiles, and pottery. Ceramic is having to do with objects made of clay. Ceramics, the making of pottery, is one of the oldest forms of art. Pottery is known to be over 8,000 years old. Throughout time, most pottery was made to be used in day-to-day life. Pottery also became a means of expression. Some groups found a variety of designs to use on their pottery that was unique to that ethnic group. Other groups used pottery as a means to relay a story through the use of pictographs. Archeologists have discovered countless remains of pottery which reveals a lot about the group that created it and the lives they lived.
Refer to Elements of Art page for further discussion on clay and form. Complete this discussion prior to the Clay Focus Activity
Part 1: Making clay and a pinch pot.
Time: 15 minutes
Refer to Clay Recipe page for details on supplies and technique. Once the clay is mixed, have the students form a ball. Now, have the students place their thumb in the top of the ball, pushing in to make a hole 1/4” from the bottom of the ball. With the thumb on the inside and your fingers on the outside, pinch the clay. Release, turn the ball, pinch. Repeat all the way around the ball until a bowl is formed.
Part 2: Finishing the clay (optional).
Time: 20 minutes
Have the students sand the exterior of their pots with sandpaper. Refer to the Clay Recipe page for further instructions.
Part 3: Drawing pictograph story.
Time: 15-30 minutes
Explain that the students need to develop a simple pictograph story, using “stick figures.” Have the students view the Lines and Shapes page for basic lines that can be used in drawing. The story the students develop can parallel the Pictograph lesson plan, or the students could develop a short story based on a personal experience. Have the students draw their pictograph story on paper prior to making the pot.
Make the students aware of the size of their pot. Point out that their drawing will have to fit on the side. Using a fine-to-medium tipped permanent maker, have the students draw their story onto the side of the pot, completely encircling the surface. These markers work better than paint, crayon, or any other media for drawing on clay. Remind the students these are permanent makers that will stain. If the classroom does not have enough markers then allow them to draw in groups.
Allow the students time to view classmates work. Open a discussion asking the students to compare the shape (form) of their pot and the pots of their classmates. What do you notice? Allow the students to explain the differences they see. Then, ask them to look at the stories other classmates created. Can you read the story? What does this tell you about your classmate? Take time to have students respond out loud.
