Written by: Judy Decker (note: this lesson needs reformatting -pardon the look for now) 
LESSON PLAN: 8TH GRADE ART                                                            Weeks:
UNIT: Northwest Coast Potlatch Box                                                                                                      

Objectives:

• Students learn to search for and sort ideas for content in their artwork.
• Students learn to use personal symbols in creating a work of art
• Students learn appreciation for art from other cultures: Northwest Coast Native American
• Students learn to assemble and finish a lidded box-like form from slabs of clay half way between soft and leatherhard. 
• Build a frame of reference for the work of art by accomplished artists who have made similar work.

Vocabulary:                                                             Materials:

slab                                                                              5- 6” square cardboard

slip                                                                               masking tape

score                                                                            6” square linoleum cut with design

leatherhard                                                                   clay

bone dry                                                                       rolling pins, guide sticks

bisque                                                                          canvas

underglaze                                                                    slip

glaze                                                                             ceramics modeling tools

carve/ incise                                                                  underglazes, glazes

plastic bags                                                                  newspapers, wood boards

Instructional Resources:

Video: Smart One (ArtSpace Lima)

Internet lesson (no longer online) - North West Coast Resources

Preparation:                                                              

1.         Carve 6” square linoleum with design.  Cut out all lines (see hand-out)

2.         Make 6” square  cardboard box (for support of clay)

Procedures:

1.         Roll slabs of clay between guide sticks.  Slabs should be 3/8” thick.

2.         Make plain 6” square (use linoleum plate for pattern) of clay for base of box.  Layer  between  newspapers on board.

3.         Press linoleum printing plate into clay slab for sides of box - roll over with rolling   pin to make impression- cut out around plate.

4.         Make  four sides of box with linoleum impression (five if lid is desired).  Layer   slabs between newspapers until leather hard. (usually overnight)

5.         Trim plain 6” square to fit into bottom of box.  Ease into bottom of box .

6.         Trim one relief panel to fit into side of box.  Score bottom edge of side panel and edge of bottom where seams meet.  Make cross-hatch marks.  Put slip (watered down clay) on edges and fuse (push) seam together.

7.         Trim another side panel to fit.  Score (cross-hatch) where seams meet.  Add slip.              Ease into box.  Press seams together.

8.         Press thin coil into seams to strengthen.  Smooth into corners.

9.         Continue with all four sides of box.  Score and apply slip at all seams.

            Seams will separate without this process.

10.       To make lid:

            Roll slab of clay- cut strips (5 1/2” by 1/2”) ,  Score edges of strips.

            Score inside of box lid- 3/8” away from edges.

            Fuse strips inside lid  

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