6th Grade Pottery Class

Welcome to 6th Grade Pottery. We explore the many possibilities for making pottery using coils and slabs in combination. This method offers unlimited possibilities for form and decoration. It is a practical method of construction and an exciting one. Stress is placed on smoothing out the interior coils and slabs while maintaining the interesting coiled and slab patterns on the outside of the pot.

Students learn about the Zuni Indians and where they live, what their pottery is used for, and what the symbols on their pottery mean. While it is true that beautiful Indian pottery was built with coils which were finished by being rounded and smoothed, the Indian potter was concerned chiefly with function. We, on the other hand, can afford to direct our major efforts toward a unique self expression creating textures and decorative qualities using the coil and slab in combination.

Students create story pots using symbols, geometric shapes and designs that have meaning in their lives, just as the Zuni people still do. Stories sometimes show that children have a complex understanding of historical, social and political issues.

In 6th Grade students have the opportunity to make Cultural Rattle Masks that represent a culture other than the American. Sometimes tiny clay beads that make noise when shaken are added to carry this popular project into another dimension. Students use circle templates to cut two slabs of equal size. Paper towels are used to form a hollow pocket to house clay beads that will make the rattle noise. Beads can be wrapped in paper towels to prevent sticking to the inside of the cavity. After the round hollow pocket form is made, students begin forming the face, using water to moisten the clay and hands for smooth molding applications. Coils, slabs, beads, modeling tools, found objects and other materials can be used to form features and make textures. While clay is in the leather hard stage, a small hole can be made in the back of the mask for beads to be inserted and covered with clay. Another small pin hole is made in the cavity to allow air pressure to escape during firing. A centered hole can be added on the back for hanging. Coils and other openings can be made for decoration as well as used for hanging feathers, beads, shells and other decorations.

A mask can transform, conceal, or disguise the wearer. Beings of all types can be represented by means of the mask. These include human beings, creatures from the animal kingdom, and supernatural beings that embody religious concepts and exist only in the imagination.

Some human masks are extremely realistic in style and faithfully reproduce different facial types. Others are so highly stylized that facial features are simply suggested. Masks may evoke violence, virtue, wisdom, simplicity, ambition or plain stupidity. Students create masks that represent cultures that inspire them. Some are serious, some show sympathy or terror, while some are smiling, or verging on caricature.

Students also use the relief sculpture technique to create tiles from clay. Relief sculpture may have images raised or recessed to various levels such as intaglio, sunk, low (or bas) and high relief. Children learn to add clay, model and use perspective (background, middle ground, and foreground) in clay slab relief sculptures. They learn the difference between relief and freestanding sculpture, and learn to see basic shapes in forms. They also learn to see a center of interest in their relief design.