7th Grade Art Explores Ceramics with Pottery Wheels
During the first semester, middle school students in Art 7 learned the clay technique of slab building to create an interesting and useful object using porcelain clay. They followed the steps of rolling out their clay, trimming it to size, and learned how to slip and score the edges to attach the clay securely. Students really enjoyed the process of working in clay and creating something useful from a “blob.” Reflecting on the process, one student shared, “I like that working with the clay felt like dough. I enjoy baking and making pie dough, so it reminded me of that.”
In Art Methods 7, the second semester, students further explored ceramics through handbuilding, underglazing, and using a potter’s wheel.
For their main ceramics projects, students created handbuilt objects based on a self-generated concept. Many students applied their knowledge of slab building from the first semester to create the structure of their new object. A student reflected on the process, “I like the fact that we could create literally anything we wanted. I think that smoothing out the cracks was most challenging for me. I was sort of able to overcome this challenge, as I still had some cracks in my final product.” They were challenged to incorporate texture details into their design. Students achieved this through carving details or by applying a pattern from a texture roller while their clay was in its slab form.
Seventh grade students also had the opportunity to use the potter’s wheel. Through the throwing process, students developed an understanding of the properties of clay and how it changes during the centering stage. Pulling up the clay walls to form a cylinder shape was a fun challenge for students. They were surprised at how much water is needed when throwing and learned how wetting your hands often allows the clay to move better on the wheel. Students enjoyed that the movement of the wheel allows the shape to be more symmetrical when compared to handbuilding.
Students also applied underglaze to one of their ceramics and learned how color can highlight and give clarity to certain aspects of a three-dimensional form. Students enjoyed layering the underglaze and blending colors together. The final result of the color combination was a fun surprise, as the heat of the kiln sets the color and gives it a stronger hue.
Working with three-dimensional forms is a rewarding way for students to plan out the artistic process from their initial conceptual sketches to the tactile process of creating the shapes and structures of their designs. Students applied the elements of design through form, texture, and value details. Students developed an appreciation for object design and understood how form and function can work together to create a purposeful artistic object.
