| Ceramics have many uses in our modern world. | | | | student's completed work, deliver it to the kiln and pick |
| People often associate ceramics with pottery. Actually, | | | | it up a few days later once fired and cooled. |
| there are many different types of ceramic and many | | | | Many students will choose to paint their work with high |
| of which serve serious industrial uses. Although the | | | | fire glazes which require the kiln to be extremely hot. |
| industrial uses are interesting, it is most appealing to talk | | | | The temperature is measured in "cones" and these |
| about ceramic as it applies to pottery related uses. For | | | | glazes require 9-10 cones to be successfully fired. This |
| teachers, ceramic pottery can be a great way to | | | | heat is intense and extremely dangerous. It always |
| engage students in a creative endeavor. The results of | | | | important that if this is firing is done in the presence of |
| a student's work are tangible. They can take the vase, | | | | children, the children should be kept at a distance from |
| cup or ash tray home to share with their family. It | | | | the kiln during the entire firing process. The kiln is |
| becomes a keepsake for an entire lifetime. | | | | designed to retain heat with its thick walls. It will remain |
| Having a good pottery lesson plan is key to engaging | | | | hazardous for hours after the firing is complete. It is |
| students in artistic pottery creation. There are plans for | | | | usually best to do kiln firings overnight and when no |
| everything from hand forming vases to creating | | | | students are present. |
| beautiful wall murals. With a little preparation, the plans | | | | For more precise painting of pieces, overglazes can |
| can be adapted for a specific classroom environment. | | | | be used. It is an excellent way to prevent paints from |
| Most age groups can be accommodated. The ideal | | | | bleeding into each other. Although some find the slight |
| range of grade levels is first through fourth for hand | | | | overlap of colors to be artistic, others prefer an |
| manipulated clay pieces. The introduction of throw | | | | exacting nature. Bleeding colors and inexact lines give |
| pottery (pottery made using a wheel) is often difficult | | | | a piece more realism and show that it has been |
| because most schools do not have access to a | | | | handmade. A child's work can be more endearing for |
| pottery wheel. | | | | its slight errors. Pieces used in a more formal setting, |
| Although access to a wheel may be difficult to obtain, | | | | such as dinnerware, often call for more precision for |
| many art studios offer their kiln to the public for a small | | | | an adult household. Choosing the correct glaze has a |
| fee (possibly for free to schools). Teachers can collect | | | | tremendous impact on the final product. |