UNIT PLAN

Signature Stamp
& Review

Course: Ceramics
Medium: Clay
Duration: 4days
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Kansas State Standard VA:Cr2.2.II & VA:CR2.2.I

Materials

Performance Standard: Through experimentation, practice, and persistence,

demonstrate acquisition of skills and knowledge in a chosen art form.
Anchor Standard 2: Organize and develop artistic ideas and work.
Performance Standard: Explain how traditional and non-traditional materials
my impact human health and the environment and demonstrate safe handling
of materials, tools, and equipment.
Anchor Standard 2: Organize and develop artistic ideas and work.

Sketchbooks
HB Pencils
Premade Plaster Disks
Needle Tool
Dry Brush
Transfer Paper

Objectives
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Students will create a unique signature stamp with which to mark all
future artworks.

Students will review ceramics knowledge from previous classes including

basic pinch pot, coil method, and slab methods along with joining method.

Clay
Slip
Carving Tools
Rolling Pin
Wooden Rails
Texture Plates

Art Production

Elements of Art

Day 1 45minutes
Introduction: Show samples of signature stamps.
Independent Practice:
Using Google searches as inspiration and reference, create some
simple designs based around your initials. Draw 12 different ideas for
your signature stamp in you sketchbook. It can be any shape but must
contain at least one of you initials. Each drawing should be no bigger
than 1x1 square. These will need to fit on any piece of pottery you
do no matter how small.

Form, Line, Shape

Day 2 45minutes
Demonstrate:
Show students how to transfer their designs onto the plaster with
transfer paper and then carve into the plaster using a needle tool.
Demonstrate how to check the design with a piece of clay. Review
how to roll a coil, roll a coil approximately the same diameter of the
carving and press it down into the design. Shape the handle of the
stamp by cutting it down and/or pressing it into a desired shape.
(creating the stamp in this way allows for a new stamp to easily be
made if the first one is lost or broken)
Independent Practice: Painting
Transfer sketch onto the plaster and begin carving with a needle tool.
When your carving is at the desired depth and is clearly
distinguishable, roll a coil and press the design into the end. Shape the
handle and wrap stamp loosely in plastic to dry. Place the plaster cast
in your cubby.

Principles of Design
Harmony, Pattern

Vocabulary
Wedging manipulating clay to remove
air pockets and make pliable.
Pinch Pot clay vessel that is manipulate
with fingers and thumb in a pinching
motion. (oldest method of vessel-making)
Coil Construction ropes of clay stacked
to form a wall.
Slab flat rolled out pieces of clay
Score making lines in clay
Slip a mixture of clay and water that acts
like glue for clay

Day 3 90minutes

Signature Stamp & Review

Demonstrate/Guided Practice: Pinch Pot

Provide each student with a handful of clay. With students working
along side you, review wedging technique. Roll the clay into a ball and
press you thumb into the center about half way down. Begin to
revolve the ball while pressing the walls out with your thumb toward
the other hand. Curve your fingers slightly so you can control the
shape better to make a more rounded form. If your fingers are held flat
against the outside, the pot rim will flare out more to make an open
bowl shape. Use a slightly damp sponge to smooth the walls and rim.
Demonstrate/Guided Practice: Coil Pot
Provide each student with a handful of clay. With students working
along side you, review wedging technique. Take a small piece of clay
and create a slab (cookie) base by rolling it into a ball and them
smashing it down, flipping it over, and pressing it down again. Divide
remaining clay and roll into coils thick. Roll coils using flat
fingers spread wide. Start from the center of the coil working your way
outward gently as you roll. Combine coils into a design to create one
long wall or stack coils to create a wall. Use 4S method for joining
pieces Score, Slip, Squish, Smooth. Smooth the inside of the pot
completely. Use a slightly damp sponge to smooth the walls and rim.
Demonstrate/Guided Practice: Slab Box
Provide each student with a handful of clay. With students working
along side you, review wedging technique. Flatten the wedged clay
just a bit. Using two wooden rails and a rolling pin place clay between
the rails and roll until pin glides smoothly over the clays surface
touching both rails. Be sure to flip your clay often so it does not stick.
You may use a texture plate to press a design into the clay if you have
time. Place on a board and wrap loosely.

Green Ware clay that hasnt been fired

Leather Hard state in which clay is dry
enough to carve or cut into
Bone Dry state in which clay is ready to
be fired

Art History/Resources

Modifications/Notes

Day 4 45minutes
Demonstrate/Guided Practice: Slab Box
Determine the shape of your slab box or vase, Cut a base and then
measure and cut sides to fit. Secure together using 4S method. Use a
slightly damp sponge to smooth the walls and rim
Independent Practice:
Now that your stamp is leather hard, refine the handle shape and
carve any desired design on the outside.

Evaluation Criteria
5Points Each for a total of 25Points (all or nothing grade)
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12 Sketches
Signature Stamp
Pinch Pot
Coil Pot
Slab Box

Signature Stamp & Review