Not Round Bowls
Objective: Discussion form and function of a common functional object.
Students were asked to think about the shape of a bowl and whether it must be a round shape. In the lesson I supported the children in learning about coil pot techniques, thinking about the rules of function vs design, and creating a functional bowl. Before building they had to decide whether to start round and then alter, or build from an altered base.
Grade Level: 10-13 years old
Subject: Arts - Ceramic
Length of Time: 90 Minutes
Set Up
- Slab Roller/Rolling pin
- 2lbs of clay for slab and extra clay for coils
- Pin tool and smoothing tools
- Water and sponges
- Paper and Pencil for sketching
- Underglaze colors
Discussion: What makes a bowl a bowl?
I had a meeting with the students to discuss the features of a bowl and to support them in defining the bowls there were going to make.
What is the shape?
Is there a standard Volume?
What is the main function?
Must it hold liquid?
What makes it functional?
Does it have to be functional?
Structure and Construction
Coil Pots!
- These students have already had lesson in coil pots so we did a refresher.
The Base:
- The students have the choice to make a round form and then alter it or to start with and altered base and build the walls of the bowl up from that base.
They must consider:
- Stability - Coil building process
- Structure - 4 inch high walls
- Shape - not round
- Rules of bowls discussed
- Volume - Minimum 2 fists
- 3 colors for painting