Ceramic Art Lesson Clay Art Project Jack O Lantern Sculpture Activity

This Ceramic Jack O'Lantern art lesson shows students how to build a clay jack o'lantern using pinch building and additive methods. Finished pieces can also be turned into tea lights if you like (optional).

Students work with a variety of processes, materials, tools and techniques, following a visual and text step-by-step where each step has its own page and description. The lesson demonstrates how to build only. You choose how to finish the pieces (glaze, underglaze or paint) based on the resources and budget in your classroom, since finishing ceramics is a separate process from building.

WHAT TEACHERS ARE SAYING

★★★★ “Wonderful resource. My students loved it and very highly engaged.” Ink a.

WHAT'S INCLUDED (NON-EDITABLE)

• About the Product, an introduction to the lesson with key objectives and implementation tips
• Lesson Plan (2 pages) with materials, learning outcomes, goals and "Teacher Does/Student Does" instructions
• Bulletin Board Sign to display finished ceramic jack o'lanterns
• 4 Ways to Finish Ceramic Art Pieces Handout, a reference guide to finishing techniques
• Artist Reflection Worksheet for students to look at their creative choices and techniques
• Artist Statement Template and Assessment, a guided writing activity about their process and final piece
• Ceramic Jack O'Lantern Step-By-Step Handout (2 pages), a printable "How to Build" guide
• Art Piece Demonstration Step-By-Step (18 slides), an illustrated breakdown of the building process
• Example of Completed Art Piece as a visual reference
• Rubric for Art Piece to assess craftsmanship, creativity and effort
• Ceramic Art Reflection Page, a student and teacher assessment tool for feedback

HOW TO USE IT

Read through the lesson plan and the step-by-steps first, and gather your materials ahead of time. You may want to make a sample yourself so you can help students later. Print the poster sample in color and show it before the lesson as your hook, and photocopy the student handouts you need, such as the step-by-steps and rubric.

During the lesson, show the PDF on your projector or under a document camera, or use it as your guide while you demonstrate. Every step has both a picture and a text description, so students can follow along clearly.

Materials: step-by-step handouts for each student, your choice of clay (typically firing clay), wood tools, paper towel, newspaper or plastic for wrapping, a scoring tool such as a plastic fork, and rubber ribs, metal tools or stamps.

FAQ

What building methods do students use?

Pinch building and additive methods.

Does the lesson show how to glaze or paint?

No. It demonstrates how to build only. You can glaze, underglaze or paint the pieces in whatever way suits the resources you have.

Can the jack o'lanterns be used as tea lights?

Yes, that is an optional way to use the finished pieces.

Is it editable?

No. It is non-editable.

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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. For clip art, you may use the images 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