Ceramic Art Lesson Clay Art Project Coil Pot Ceramics Art Activity

This Ceramic Coil Pot Art Lesson introduces students to the coil building method. Step by step, students learn to hand-build a pot using coiling, pinching and additive sculpting, rolling, shaping and assembling coils into a functional or decorative pot. It suits elementary, middle school and homeschool art classes.

It works whether you are teaching ceramics for the first time or want a structured lesson. Please note that the lesson demonstrates how to build only. You can glaze, underglaze or paint the pots however suits your classroom, since finishing is a separate process and every classroom has different resources and budgets.

WHAT TEACHERS ARE SAYING

★★★★★ “This was great for my 4th graders! The visuals were great after I taught the lesson and they needed a reminder of what to do next.” Artsy I.

WHAT'S INCLUDED (NON-EDITABLE)

• About the Resource with lesson objectives, materials and key techniques
• Lesson Plan (2 pages) covering materials, learning goals, instructional steps and "Teacher Does/Student Does" strategies
• Bulletin Board Sign to display finished coil pots
• 4 Ways to Finish Ceramic Art Pieces Handout explaining different finishing techniques
• Clay Tools Poster introducing essential clay tools and their functions
• Ceramic Coil Pot Step-By-Step Handout (2 pages) showing how to roll, stack and smooth coils
• 2 Circular Base Templates for students to cut and trace the base of their pot
• Art Piece Demonstration Step-By-Step (37 slides) with images of the whole construction process
• Example of a Completed Ceramic Coil Pot to use as your hook
• Rubric for Art Piece assessing craftsmanship, creativity, coil-building technique and effort
• Ceramic Art Reflection Page for student and teacher assessment

Materials: step-by-step handouts, your choice of clay (typically firing clay), wood tools, a scoring tool such as a plastic fork (keep and reuse them), and rubber ribs, metal tools or stamps.

HOW TO USE IT

Read the lesson plan first and gather the materials in advance. Look over the visual and text step-by-steps, and consider making a sample yourself so you are ready to help students. Photocopy the step-by-step handouts and rubrics before the lesson.

Show students the completed example before you start, as your hook. Then project the PDF on a digital projector or under a document camera for students to follow, or use it as your own guide while you demonstrate. Every step has both a visual and a text description.

FAQ

Who is this for?

Art teachers, classroom teachers and homeschool educators teaching elementary or middle school students.

Does it show how to glaze or paint the pots?

No. It demonstrates building only. The 4 Ways to Finish Ceramic Art Pieces handout explains different finishing options so you can choose what works with your resources.

What kind of clay do I need?

Your choice of clay, typically firing clay, plus wood tools, a scoring tool and rubber ribs, metal tools or stamps.

Is it editable?

No. It is non-editable.

ALL TEACHER REVIEWS (2)

★★★★ “Great resource!” John C.

Get free, classroom-ready art lessons and printables in my Free Art Lesson Library.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kathleen McGiveron (Ms Artastic) is an artist who has been featured on NBC LX News and designs art lessons for kids and educational resources for teachers. She is the founder of Ms Artastic and hosts the Ms Artastic YouTube Channel and Podcast.

TERMS OF USE

Images and lessons are copyright products.

YOU MAY: use this in creative ways and have as much fun with it as you like. Any clip art may be used as clip art, website graphics, binder covers or bulletin board decorations. Additional licenses are available for school use.

YOU MAY NOT: share it with other teachers, administration or districts (admin can buy additional licenses), sell it, give it out for free or photocopy it for others.

Sincerely,

Ms Artastic