Basic Slab Box - Introductory Lesson (below)

Unit Overview:

This idea came from the Amaco Clay Company handout. The student will create their own unique habitat by applying the methods that they have utilized in Beginning Hand Building. They will draw their idea and describe their construction method in their sketchbook. See Mi Casa es Tu Casa: A lesson in Creating Small, Animated Houses With Amaco® Clay and Gloss Decorating Colors - for lesson details. (More Amaco Lesson Plans)

They will then:

• Create the form with expressive variations.
• Create the decorations using glazes, underglazes,, stamps, sculptural forms.

Evaluation: By rubric.

Resources: Photos of houses for ideas. Classroom Ceramics Idea File.

David Stabley Ceramic Houses One example

Sana Musasama - African America Woman - has sculptural houses, tress forms, garden series and more. Very richly textured pieces.

Also see the shacks paintings and sculptures by Beverly Buchanan.

Instructional Plan

Note: Marsha's classes are 1 1/2 to 2 hours long - adjust her plan to fit your schedule.

Day 1

In student's sketchbook, design the form and decoration of the habitat will be making in clay. Briefly describe the method on the sketch. Plan the decoration and possible glazes. Give the house an unusual shape, not box-like. What about a round shape? Open for doors and windows. Balconies? Stairs?

Day 2 - 5

Begin with the basic clay box construction using the slab method. Work from the base up. Think of textures for the roof. Add landscaping to the slab base. (See Mi Casa es Tu Casa: A lesson in Creating Small, Animated Houses With Amaco® Clay and Gloss Decorating Colors - for lesson details)

Day 6

Check student progress and correct construction flaws or weakness. Refine all rough areas. Apply under-glazes. Complete for initial firing. Allow to dry completely - Bisque fire

After Bisque Firing (2 class periods)

Apply glazes for final firing.

Evaluation: 100 points.

Creative shape. 25 points
Proper building techniques. 25 points
Uniform thickness. 10 points
Original design. 10 points
Proper glazing techniques.10 points
Neatness of edges, surfaces. 10 points
Name on bottom of work. 10 points

Submitted by Marsha G.
UNIT: Slab Construction
Lesson: Lidded Box
Grade Level: Middle school through high school

The teal blue and black box has a cover that fits on with square posts so it is open to look in

This is a basic slab lesson. Students start with a 4 inch tag board square template for the sides. The bottom and top are 4 1/2 inches to allow for the 1/4" slabs of the sides. They build the bottom slab and 2 sides first. Then we add the next two sides to make a cube. Narrow coils are applied and smoothed to all the inside corners and base joining as they go. The box is completed as a cube with the top slab attached. When firmed up but not leather hard, they cut the top from the cube not less than 1 1/2 inches from the top. The top must have a "key" (irregular notch) on 2 sides to keep it from sliding off. They fire it with the top on so sides and top shrink evenly. Glazed box and we fire it in two pieces. Note: Any size tag board template can be used. Surface could be carved or stamped with textures.

Submitted by Carolyn Brown , Lynnhaven Middle School, Virginia Beach
UNIT: Stiff Slab Construction - Textures
Grade Level: 8th grade

One of her favorites is the blue box with the flower on top. Carolyn was surprised to see in this student's "bag of goodies", the Master Carve printing block that she made for a 7th grade printing assignment. It made an awesome design. Relief print plates are great for texturing clay.

Submitted by Judie Jacobs Slab box with lid Students make a slab square box as describe above -assembling slabs cut to approximately 3/8" thick. A lid is made larger all around to slide over the top of the box. Student decorate with glazes and/or underglazes. Carving and or incising can also be done.