Native American Lesson Plan:  Pinch Pot

Grade Level:   5th Grade Students

Kentucky Core Content 4.1:

AH-05-2.4.1
 Students will describe or explain how visual art has been a part of cultures and time periods throughout history. Cultures: Native American

AH-05-3.4.1
 Students will describe or explain how art fulfills a variety of purposes
Purposes of art: Functional - artistic objects used in everyday life

Title:  Native American Pinch Pot
Duration:  1 Day (longer to dry)

Objective: 

  • Students will produce a pinch pot using techniques traditionally utilized by Native American potters
  • Students will write a short story about how their pots would be used in the Cherokee culture.

Materials and Resources:

  • self-drying clay
  • a small container of water for each student
  • plastic or paper to cover tables
  • damp paper towels for each student
  • Shells, sticks, stones, etc., for etching designs in the pots
  • Images: Handout/website: http://www.osartistsco-op.com/print_pinch.html

 

Procedure:

  • Take a small handful of clay and shape into a round ball.
  • While holding the ball in the palm of one hand, take the thumb of the other hand and make an indentation in the center of the ball. Keep turning the ball of clay and pressing down with the thumb to within 1/2 inch of the bottom.
  • When the pot is the desired depth, rotate while pinching the sides with the thumb (inside) and fingers (outside).
  • Work from the bottom up until you have achieved the desired shape. As the clay dries it may begin to crack. Keep dipping your fingers in the small container of water and wipe the surface of the pot frequently with damp paper towels.
  • When the pot is finished, use small objects that would normally be found in nature to carve designs in the pot. Make sure each student carves their initials in the bottom.
  • Allow several days to completely dry. These pots will be fragile because they are not kiln fired, and will break if not treated gently. These pots are not water resistant.

 

Assessment:

 

  • Scoring scale to be determined by teacher
  • Recommended to keep in mind:

Full credit – student completes the assignment to the best of his/her ability follows each step, does not misuse material (media)
Half credit – student partially completes assignment to the best of his/her ability
No credit – student does not complete assignment, and misuses the material.

 

 

 

 

 
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