DESCRIPTION OF POTTERY

HISTORY

Pottery is an activity that followed the development of Homo sapiens.  Our development followed hand-in-hand with the advances made through pottery, starting with air-dried clay products that could be destroyed by water to fire-hardened pots that retain their shape to pots that are waterproof.  At the same time, pottery was also an expressive medium, starting with simple clay shapes to visual displays on the pots and bowls expressing the cultural values and beliefs at the time.  The techniques used then are still used today.(Chavarria, 1994)

STEPS INVOLVED IN POTTERY

MATERIALS

• canvas or newspaper to keep the work space clean
• wooden board to work the clay on
• clay
• water
• slip (a mixture of clay and water - acts as a glue)
• scoring tool (usually a pin with a large handle, but anything that can scratch the clay)
• a wire with two handles to cut the clay to desired proportion
• tools to make designs on clay
  • toothbrush
  • fork
  • popsicle stick
  • your fingers, fingernails
  • whatever is around

PREPARING THE CLAY

• coordinate the amount of clay with size of project
• knead the clay to eliminate the air bubbles in the clay (the finished product will shatter during firing if air bubbles are present).
  • one way is to throw down to clay onto the board, push one side of the clay onto the other side and push into the board, pick up and repeat.  To check if the air bubbles are gone, use the wire tool and cut the clay in half, check both cut sides of the clay and see if there are any air bubbles.  If there are air bubbles, throw one half then the other half onto the first and knead.
  • another way is to continuously knead the clay without throwing the clay.  Again cut the clay to check for air bubbles.
• cover up or put away the clay you are not using since it will dry out.

MAKING SOMETHING WITH THE CLAY

SCULPTURING

• manipulate the prepared clay into any shape or form you desire.

PINCH POTS

• roll the clay into a ball.
• keep your fingers and thumb moist (prevents the clay from cracking).
• push your thumbs slowly to the center of the ball.
• use one hand to hold the ball
• pinch the clay between fingers and thumb with the other hand.
• remember to keep the working fingers and thumb wet with water.
• shape the clay into a pot or bowl.
• you can also add rolls of clay to make limbs to add to the bowl to make an animal.

COILS

• divide the clay into smaller pieces
• use one piece to make a base and flatten into circle
• roll the other pieces into a rope shape(the thickness may vary depending upon the project).
• use the scoring tool to scratch the outer edge of the base where you will lay down the coils.
• put some slip (clay and water mixture) on the scratches
• lay down a coil on the edge of the base.
• if the coil starts to overlap on itself, score the top surface of the coil and put some slip on it before laying the coil down.
• repeat until all the coils are used or the shape you want is made.
• with moistened fingers, smooth the sides of the wall until the individual coils are not visible.
• if you cannot finish the project in one session, remember to score the top of the last coil laid down (so you can add more coils when it is dry)

ABILITIES REQUIRED TO DO ACTIVITY

PHYSICAL

• ability to stand or sit (depending upon how the work space is set up) which also involves balance.
• gross and fine upper extremity movements.
• triceps to knead the clay.
• wrist extension, to use the heel of the hand to knead the clay
• finger and thumb control to roll and pinch the clay, to grip the tools to score the clay, and to make marks and designs on the clay
• supinators and pronators to roll the clay.
• elbow flexors and supinators to hold the clay up, in one hand (can be adapted by putting the clay on the board).
• shoulder flexors and extensors to pick up clay and throw it down, as well as kneading the clay.
• neck flexors to look down on the project
• neck muscles to turn head from side to side to scan work space, especially if the tools are spread out on the work space, and to read instructions from a book if required.

COGNITIVE

• interested in pottery
• good attention span
• ability to plan and think things through
• ability to follow instructions