This lesson is designed for my Studio Art Class, grades 9 - 12.
The clay birdhouses were created during a 10-week sculpture unit done
in clay. A class discussion about the work of Michelangelo, Henry
Moore, and Alexander Calder was used as an introduction. The various
materials and methods used by each artist were discussed and compared.
Students were then introduced to clay methods and materials.
Pinch, coil, and slab methods were demonstrated. The first project
of the unit was a clay wind chime. The top of the wind chime was
created from a coil pot. Holes were placed at the base of the pot
for the chimes to hang. From there, the students were to create various
chimes to hang from their pot. The students were encouraged to keep with a theme.
The birdhouses were accomplished in a very similar manner.
Students had to create plans for their house. A "blueprint" was drawn
by each to help the students form a theme with which to work. Students
then cut out patterns and rolled slabs to use for the walls of their house.
Slabs were cut to the correct sizes and allowed to become leather hard.
While the slabs were becoming more firm, the students began to create their
"decorations" for their houses. Once all the pieces were ready, the
students put the houses together, making sure to sufficiently score and
slip each and every piece.
After the houses were fired, students painted them with watercolors
and sprayed them with a clear sealant. The works were then placed
on display in our glass cases near our Theater of Performing Arts.
Both projects were third place finishers at our local art show this year.
Back
to HS Lessons
|
