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Submitted by: Marcia
Lavery - Lincoln Junior High, Skokie, Illinois
Theme/Unit: Architecture - Ceramics
Lesson Plan: Creative Clay Houses
Grade Level: 6th (adaptable for grades 4 through 8)
Time: approximately seven 50 minute class periods
See
some examples from Swanson Middle School Arlington, Virginia
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Art Concepts: architecture
Art Processes and Techniques: slab construction, decoration with
coil and pinch additions, incising, carving, painting
Rationale: Throughout history, people have created architecture for
functional and decorative purposes. Through this lesson, students will
have the opportunity to design their own creative house and build it using
slab construction. Students will be introduced to the idea that art is a
part of their everyday lives.
Learner Outcomes: Individual expression, problem solving, make
decisions, understanding spatial qualities, build vocabulary
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| Objectives:
1. Students will create an original clay house incorporating at least
three architectural elements from the architecture reference sheets.
Demonstrate craftsmanship in using slab technique.
2. Students will draw at least three preparatory sketches of ideas for
their house.
3. Students will be able to explain what an architect does and will be
able to define the given clay vocabulary.
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Materials:
Architecture handouts, various pictures of styles of architecture,
clay, clay tools, canvas cloth, rolling pins, guide sticks, boards,
newspaper, tag board (optional), plastic bags, colored pencils, sketchbook
paper,
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| Vocabulary:
architect: a person who designs and makes plans for buildings
slip: muddy, liquid clay used to attach two pieces
score: to make marks on the clay to attach two pieces
slab: a flat, rolled out piece of clay
coil: a rope of clay, rolled out with your fingers
kiln: used to heat the clay to make it permanent. It is over 2000
degrees hot!
firing: heating the clay to make it permanent.
sculpture: a three-dimensional work of art
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Resources:
Helen Hume's Art Teacher's Book of Lists
Illustrated
Architecture Dictionary
Architecture
Online Resources
David Stabley ceramic
houses
Sana Musasama - see houses
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| Instruction/Motivation:
Encourage students to make their houses as creative and imaginative as
they want. The houses need not look realistic or like any house they've
ever seen.
Student Pre-requisite: some prior experience working with clay is
recommended, but not necessary.
Instructional Methods: discussion, demonstration, individual
practice
Set Induction: Ask students if they know what an architect does. If
students do not know, explain that an architect is a person who designs
and makes plans for buildings. Some of the buildings that an architect
designs are houses, churches, schools, restaurants and castles. Tell
students that today, we are going to pretend to be architects and we are
going to design a house and make it from clay.
Day One:
Demonstrate how students can make their houses by using slab
construction. Show students how they can add decorations by carving,
coils, and incising. This demonstration should take about 20-25 minutes.
For the remaining class time, students will design their houses. They
should draw at least three ideas. Hand out an architectural elements
reference sheet. A good one to use is from The Art Teacher's Book of
Lists, by Helen D. Hume (List 7-4, Architectural Elements). Tell them
they must use at least three of these architectural elements in their
design (for example, columns, windows, towers, arches, domes, doors)
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| Procedures:
Day One:
Draw at least three ideas. Use an architectural elements reference
sheet. Use at least three of these architectural elements in their design
(for example, columns, windows, towers, arches, domes, doors)
Day Two through Five:
Students finish their three house designs and work on building their
clay houses. Select the best drawing for construction. Make tag board
templates for sides of architecture if desired.
- Roll out slab of clay to uniform thickness on canvas cloth - using
guide sticks. Lay template on slab and cut with needle. Gently lift so
as not to warp the clay. Layer on board between newspaper.
- To assemble: Score and slip sides to base. May cut base larger than
building to include landscaping elements around the structure if
desired. Score and slip sides together. Fuse a thin coil into inside
seams.
- Cut roof (allow to get leather hard) - score and slip - Provide a
way for air to escape on structure (cut window opening)
- Add architectural elements - cut relief slabs - carve and pierce
doors and windows.
(Allow at least one
week for drying and firing)
Day Seven and Eight:
Demonstrate painting techniques. Remind students how to mix paint to
achieve the desired color. Allow students to paint their house in
imaginary and creative colors if they choose to. (may be glazed as another
way of finishing)
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| Assessment and
Evaluation:
Rubric: based on creativity, concept (did students use at least 3
different architectural elements), work ethic, craftsmanship, and painting
Concept: the student created a clay house at least 3 inches
tall.
Creativity: the student added at least 3 unique design
elements (windows, doors, etc) to their clay house and used the
sample architectural element sheet for inspiration
Craftsmanship: the clay parts have been properly attached and the
clay has been smoothed
Glaze (or painting): the student applied glaze evenly and neatly
and has thoughtfully chosen colors
Work Ethic: the student worked hard every day and was responsible
for cleaning and storing materials properly
Quiz: include vocabulary words on final quiz
Sketches: check that each student drew three ideas for their clay
houses
Extensions/Adaptations:
The drawings of their design could even be a finished artwork.
Encourage them to use watercolors or colored pencils to color their
designs and add background and landscaping to their houses.
Maps: students could also draw an imaginary map of the location their
house would be built
Adaptation: For students who have a lot of trouble building their
houses from clay or fall behind due to absences, I allow them to simply
construct the form and then paint on the windows and doors.
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