Coil pots are both fun to make and useful. In 6th grade we do a coil pot lesson which is repeated later in the older grades as well. It is rewarding to see how over time a student's skill sets sharpen and improve. I think it is something special to have these functional art items at home which were made at various times during a student's school career. These are items which will bring back memories and they certainly bring forth a preciousness when holding them, knowing that it was made out of the hands of the student at this period in their lives.
The properties of clay are reviewed as we go through this lesson. We start with the first "mud" stage where the clay is soft and pliable and can be manipulated into practically anything. After the clay has dried, it is put into the kiln in a "bisque firing". This is the firing which turns the clay from a material which can be turned back into mud and into something that is permanent. The clay is baked for about 7-8 hours in the kiln at a temperature reaching approximately 1500 degrees. After the clay has been transformed into the bisque stage, it can now be glazed or painted and is ready to be used as a functional item.
Minnesota State Visual Art Standards:
The properties of clay are reviewed as we go through this lesson. We start with the first "mud" stage where the clay is soft and pliable and can be manipulated into practically anything. After the clay has dried, it is put into the kiln in a "bisque firing". This is the firing which turns the clay from a material which can be turned back into mud and into something that is permanent. The clay is baked for about 7-8 hours in the kiln at a temperature reaching approximately 1500 degrees. After the clay has been transformed into the bisque stage, it can now be glazed or painted and is ready to be used as a functional item.
Minnesota State Visual Art Standards:
- 1. Analyze how the elements of visual art including color, line, shape, value, form, texture and space are used in the creation of, presentation of, or response to visual artworks. (6.1.1.5.1)
- 1. Compare and contrast the connections among visual artworks, their purposes, and their personal, social, cultural and historical contexts, including the contributions of Minnesota American Indian tribes and communities. (6.1.3.5.1)
- 1. Create original two- and-three-dimensional artworks in a variety of artistic contexts. (6.2.1.5.1)
- 2. Revise artworks based on the feedback of others and self-reflection and artistic intent. (6.2.1.5.2)
- 1. Assemble and prepare personal artworks for public exhibition. (6.3.1.5.1)
- 1. Analyze and interpret a variety of visual artworks using established criteria. (6.4.1.5.1)