Williamsville C.U.S.D. #15 Fine Arts Curriculum Program Title: Program Description: This class will give students experiences with ceramics techniques such as coil, slab, and pinch methods and throwing on the potter s wheel. Course work will include functional projects as well as sculptural projects. Students will also create sculptures using a variety of material, though the emphasis will be on ceramics. This class will include the study of various cultures and various artists works and techniques. Program Content: This class has a foundation of ceramic techniques and styles; understanding of 3 dimensional materials and tools; and some art history. I. INTRODUCTION TO CERAMICS Program Guide A. Brief History 1. Studying Beginnings of Ceramics a. Prehistoric b. China c. Africa d. Pre-Columbian (1) Maya (2) Aztec (3) Inca e. North American Pueblo Indians (1) Maria Martinas f. Public Sculpture (1) America s Legacy of Contemporary Sculpture 2. Ceramic Terms and Definitions B. Clay and Clay Bodies 1. Clay Types a. Earthenware b. Stoneware c. Low Fire and High Fire Clays d. Clay Stages (1) Plastic (2) Leather Hard (3) Bone Dry (4) Bisque (5) Glazeware II. FORMING METHODS
2 A. Tools 1. Extruder 2. Ribs, Kidneys and Scrapers 3. Needles, Fettering Knife and Carving Tools 4. Potter s Wheel 5. Plaster Molds B. Pinch Pot C. Coiling D. Slab E. Hump Mold F. Throwing on the Potter s Wheel 1. Tools 2. Centering 3. Throwing a. Cylinder b. Bowls 4. Trimming the Foot 5. The Foot and Lip 6. Handles, Lids, and Spouts III. CERAMIC FORMS AND DESIGNS A. Functional Ceramics 1. Parts of Ceramic Pottery a. Body, Foot, and Lip b. Definition of Form B. Non-Functional Ceramics 1. Ceramic Sculpture IV. GLAZING AND DECORATION A. Glazes 1. Low Fire Glazes 2. High Fire Glazes 3. Under-Glazes 4. Color Oxides or Stains 5. Speciality Glazes a. Pencil b. Chalk c. Watercolor B. How to Glaze 1. Brush Application 2. Dipping 3. Using the Wheel C. Texture 1. Stamping 2. Incising 3. Sgraffito 4. Slip Trailing
3 V. KILNS A. Types of Kilns 1. Pit Kiln 2. Hillside Kiln 3. Wood Burning Kiln 4. Modern Kilns a. Gas b. Electric B. Operation of Our Electric Kiln 1. Loading the Kiln a. Kiln Wash/Furniture 2. Digital Start Up Controls VI. OTHER MEDIUMS FOR SCULPTURE A. Public Sculpture- America s Legacy 1. Class Project a. Contemporary Sculpture b. Plaster, Wire, Wood, Mixed Media State Goal 25: Know the language of the arts. Fine Arts Learning Standards (By the end of the course, students should be able to...) G. Understand the sensory elements, organizational principles and expressive qualities of the arts. 1. Identify the sensory elements used in 3 dimensional art and explain how they enhance the expressive qualities of the work 2. Identify the principles of art used in ceramic art and how the organizational qualities enhance the artist s work. H. Understand the similarities, distinctions, and connections in and among the arts. 1. Compare works of art and evaluate the similarities and differences between them. 2. Analyze and evaluate how technology has changed works of art and how they reflect society. 3. Analyze how two different disciplines of the arts can be similar in expressive qualities with the use of the elements and principles. State Goal 26: Through creating and performing, understand how works of art are produced. A. Understand processes, traditional tools, and modern technologies used in the arts.
4 1. Identify and evaluate the tools and technologies of different mediums of art. 2. Evaluate how tools and technologies aide in the expressive qualities of art. B. Apply skills and knowledge necessary to create and perform in one or more of the arts. 1. Demonstrate skills and tools needed to express ideas through different mediums of art. 2. Produce individual ideas in art through interpretation and problem solving. State Goal 27: Understand the role of the arts in civilizations, past and present. Textbook: A. Analyze how the arts function in history, society, and everyday life. 1. Identify different art styles and classify them with different art periods in history and technology. 2. Understand how technology in art is used in today s society through corporate and consumer use. B. Understand how the arts shape and reflect history, society and everyday life. 1. Understand and evaluate the differences and demands of the fine arts and commercial arts. 2. Understand how art changes through both its reflections of society and the demands of society as a result of culture and technology. Selected References and Other Materials 1 Teaching Resources: Ceramics: A Potter s Hand Book by Glenn C. Nelson P Freedom of Clay and Brush through Seven Centuries in Northern China: Tz u-chou Type Wares, 960-1600 A.D. by Yutaka Mino P Creative Clay Jewelry by Leslie Dierks P Pottery & Ceramic Sculpture BY Herbert H. Sanders P Readings: Audiotapes and CDs: Films and Videotapes: Public Sculpture: America s Legacy from the series America s Past and Present P Throwing on the Potter s Wheel P 1 Key to Symbols Used: C = County Cooperative Film Library; S = Williamsville C.U.S.D. #15 libraries; P = teacher s personal library; A = Springfield Art Association Collection.
5 Computer Software: Internet Sites: Equipment: Ceramic supplies Clays/glazes Potter s wheels Kiln Field Trips: Long term projects completed in class Short term projects completed in class Terms/techniques quizzes and/or tests Sketch book of ideas Written critiques using elements and/or principles First quarter exams Second quarter exams Semester exam Assessment