Animated House (2012)

My 7th Graders learned about the architecture of Frank Gehry and were challenged to create a thematic house that included unusual feature in the angle of the walls or shape of the house. Students created these out of low fire clay and then glazed them.  I was inspired by this Amaco lesson plan.

Thematic Teapot (2008)

Students created a teapot based upon a specific theme of their choice.  Tea pots needed to have a handle, spout, and lid and seams must be sealed tight to hold water. Teapots should have a minimum of three textures and at least two pieces of clay connected together.

**As with any art project I post please email me if you have questions about materials used, processes, or if you would like lesson plans. splattersandsmudges@gmail.com You can also ask questions in the comment section below each post.**

Abstract Vase (2008)

Students created an abstract vase that had a unique or interesting form.  Students were encouraged to move beyond the simple cylinder or cube.  Vases needed to be hollowed out and able to hold flowers or another object. Vases needed a minimum of three textures.

Ah, I remember this "vase". The kid didn't listen and glazed the bottom of his project and apparently I didn't check projects close enough (rookie mistake). The project was glazed to my kiln shelf and I couldn't get it to come off. Against my better judgement I yanked it as hard as I could and broke it off the shelf but in the process it cut a nice gash in my hand. Next thing I know there's blood dripping on the floor and I ran to the nearest teacher to clean me up. I feared that I was going to pass out again (yes I've passed out in front of my students, read here) and nobody would find me alone in my classroom. After I was bandaged I showed the teacher what cut me and she started laughing. I was a little offended that she was laughing at me. But then she proceeded to say, "you let your kid make a bong!" WHAAAAT! I had no idea what she was talking about since I've never done drugs. She pointed out the very obvious components to the "vase" that made it a rather nice device to smoke pot. I couldn't believe that I was so naive. And then the darnedest thing happened...the "vase" broke. I dunno...maybe it was too think...maybe it wasn't scored and slipped well enough...maybe there was an air bubble and it cracked...or maybe the art teacher got revenge for making drug paraphernalia in her classroom!

**As with any art project I post please email me if you have questions about materials used, processes, or if you would like lesson plans. splattersandsmudges@gmail.com You can also ask questions in the comment section below each post.**

Animated House (2008)

Students created an animated house intended for a specific environment.  Houses needed to be enclosed
with walls and a roof.  Houses should've have at least two windows and a door and included details of
the intended environment.  Houses needed to have a minimum of three textures and at least two
pieces of clay connected together.

This was the first ceramic project that I taught. I remember a student sculpted a chicken themed house that
had little chicken feet supporting the house and it was the best sculpture in the class. She placed it on the
top shelf of the ware cart and those little chicken feet were just a little bit unbalanced. As I was moving
projects from the bottom shelf I rocked the cart just enough to tip that chicken house over. That baby came
falling off the top shelf, landed on my head, and knocked me clean out. If that wasn't bad enough it happened
in front of a class full of students...one of which was the girl who made the chicken house. Many kids ran
to me to make sure I was ok, a couple ran to the office to tell them I passed out, and the girl that made the
project was in tears because it broke apart when it landed  on my head. lol. Ceramics can be a dangerous
venture. I learned to always move the projects off the top shelf first.

                                                                   The infamous Chicken House

                                                              Below was the replacement sculpture
                                                      of chicken house....which turned out awesome!

**As with any art project I post please email me if you have questions about materials used, processes, or if you would like lesson plans. splattersandsmudges@gmail.com You can also ask questions in the comment section below each post.**