A lot went on in Medieval Castles, and they were an obvious symbol of feudal power. Have learners use clay to make a Medieval-style castle to show what they know about Europe during the Dark Ages. This resource provides basic background...

Three-Dimensional sculpture, the artists who create it, and ceramic techniques are all covered in this plan. Tenth graders take a trip to a local art museum, watch a presentation on clay sculpture, then design a 3-D art piece. They study...

Discuss Pre-Colombian South American art with your class, then get out the clay and create some. Pupils practice using the wipe-away technique to create a ceramic tile similar to those made by the Maya. Great web links and a...

Study the symbolism and significance of Gargoyles throughout the Gothic era, and then make one. Kids visit three different websites to learn about these goolish protectors, then hone their sculpting skills while making one. They make...

Kids consider the pure abstraction and minimalism found in Mary Heilmann's work. They analyze several of her pieces through critical discussion and then think about her use of a song title as the title of her exhibit. Learners then use a...

Students create a functional ceramic vessel inspired by the work of another artist from art history. A number of art history resources be provided as well as the Internet. They research outside of class for the written report.

Learners investigate a variety of African mask types, design several masks, and create an example of an African ceramic mask in this 5th grade through High School Art lesson plan. The lesson plan can take anywhere from 6 lessons to 16...

Create food-safe bowls with your class, then organize a meal for the community using the class's bowls to serve. This lesson is based on the Empty Bowels Project, where school kids gain an understanding of global hunger through community...

This resource could come in handy the next time you feel like teaching about clay. Basic sculpting techniques, vocabulary, and history of clay are outlined in this informative resource. Use prior to teaching an art project involving...

Upper graders use the potter's wheel to make Japanese style tea cups, which they will use in a Japanese style tea ceremony. They hone their sculpting techniques while exploring Japanese cultural and the history of tea. There are two...

Students make ceramic sculptures to understand how clay works. In this sculpture lesson, students learn about porcelain sculptures to understand how heat can turn clay into a hard ceramic surface. They then experiment with clay to make...

Students compare the characteristics of a fired porcelain sculpture to the clay used to create it. They discuss the physical and chemical changes that occur in the clay as it is heated and then create their own clay sculpture. This...

Kids make an octopus out of clay. They practice their sculpting and modeling skills such as pinch pot and slurry technique while sculpting an octopus. 

Students examine Native American pottery. In this visual arts lesson plan, students analyze burnished and glazed clay pots. Students study how to create pots from online sources and respond to questions about the process. Extension...

Pupils practice using organic and geometric forms while creating individual works of art. This creative art lesson plan incorporates Math concepts for a cross-curricular approach in the classroom.

A high school unit focuses on a discipline-based study of artworks from many times, places, and cultures. Addressing historical works of art as well as modern techniques, the unit illustrates how a traditional organizational...

After watching a video of Native American artist Maria Martinez create art out of clay, learners will create burnished coil pots similar to those made by artist, Kerry Moosman. This lesson includes a supply list, web links, historical...

Students examine ceramic vessels from different time periods. In this ceramic vessel instructional activity, students work in small groups to look at images of ceramic vessels from a number of time periods. They identify the...

Students sculpt a bust out of clay using naturalistic features.  In this sculpture lesson, students use themselves or classmates as models to ensure correct form and proportion of a hollow bust.  This lesson includes pictures...

Students examine how native peoples used ceramic pieces to create art. Individually, they create a design of their choice using erasable markers and trace over it with a pencil. To end the lesson, they use shapes and colors to complete...

Students review a previous ceramics lesson and journal about a personal clay vessel they will create. In this ceramics lesson, students recognize various ceramic forms created in different time periods and...

Students examine a variety of ceramic pieces and trace their route through China into Europe. As a class, they discuss how ideas and patterns were carried along with the art itself. To end the lesson, they write a report on the...

Students create ceramic rattles using the pinch method of building with clay. They view a slide show of different types of rattles, draw designs of their rattles, and create them using clay and the pinch method. They create the rattles...

Students are taught the three basic handbuilding techniques used in beginning pottery: pinch pot, coiling, and slab work. They complete 4 pieces of pottery. Students comprehend the basic pottery process from start to finish. They discuss...