The first and second graders are finishing up their ceramic projects by glazing them as the trimester comes to a close. They created them a few weeks ago and they needed time to become bone dry before I could fire them. The students are now glaze experts after watching a demo and engaging in a visual presentation on glaze. They know that three even layers is the "sweet spot" in terms on color and opacity. They know what will happen if too little or too much glaze is put on their work. They can tell you what glaze is made out of and what makes it shiny.
The first graders made monster pinch pots while the second graders made animal pinch pots. We reviewed how to make a pinch pot and then they learned how to score and slip body parts on to make them look like monsters or animals. I demonstrated these techniques and then showed them what I call the "wiggle test". They are asked to wiggle what they just attached to make sure it is on secure enough that it won't pop off. After they were finished, I reminded them that their work has to dry out for about 2 weeks until it is bone dry. They learned how hot the kiln gets by comparing and contrasting the kiln to a oven.
Both of these projects will be on display in the 1/2 hallway after they are both completely glazed and fired.
The first graders made monster pinch pots while the second graders made animal pinch pots. We reviewed how to make a pinch pot and then they learned how to score and slip body parts on to make them look like monsters or animals. I demonstrated these techniques and then showed them what I call the "wiggle test". They are asked to wiggle what they just attached to make sure it is on secure enough that it won't pop off. After they were finished, I reminded them that their work has to dry out for about 2 weeks until it is bone dry. They learned how hot the kiln gets by comparing and contrasting the kiln to a oven.
Both of these projects will be on display in the 1/2 hallway after they are both completely glazed and fired.