Lesson: 7th Grade Native American Pottery
Grade: 7th
Materials: sketch paper, pencils, erasers, red clay, cardboard, slip, rolling pins, water
containers, wood clay tools, paper towels, tempera paints, acrylic gloss medium
(optional)
Objectives:
Integrate art into their social studies curriculum
Learn about Native American culture and art
Increase their skill at using air-dry clay
Create a pot or plate inspired by Native American designs.
Motivation: Discuss what students have learned in their social studies class in regards to
Native American culture and art. Show examples of pottery from different tribes. Discuss
the characteristics of Native American design motifs (i.e. abstract motifs, stylized
imagery of animals and human figures, repeat patterns, painted and engraved designs).
Ask them if they see similarities and/or differences in designs from different tribes.
Discuss the colors they see in the pottery and painted designs. Discuss the texture of the
surface design.
Vocabulary: motif, stylized imagery, slip, score, kiln, contemporary
Prerequisite Knowledge: Students have had prior experience with pinch pots and pinch
method.
Week 1: Students make a sketch of the shape of the pot or plate they wish to create.
Students draw their motifs on the sketch. Students are asked to research Native American
designs over the next week.
Demonstration: Review scoring and slip application. Review the methods of pinching
and pulling the clay to form a pot. Review the use of a rolling pin to make a flat slab.
Show them how they can cut a circle from the slab for the base of a pot or for a plate.
Week 2: Students are given clay on cardboard, slip, rolling pins, clay tools and
instructions to shape a pot or plate by the end of class. Explain that the shape cannot be
reworked when they come back the following week. Tell them to use the tools to engrave
their motifs, if they wish. The pots can have a smooth, painted service, if they prefer. In
either case, tell them they will add paint the following week.
Week 3: Students are given earth colors and black tempera paints to paint their pots.
Week 4: Students add acrylic medium to varnish their pots (optional). Explain to them
that these pots/plates cannot be used to hold liquid or food, since the air dry clay cannot
be glazed and fired in a kiln.
Reflection:
Students discuss their work with their classmates.
Questions to ask:
Does the work look like it was inspired by Native American art? In what way? Does it
look like it could be an old pot or does it look more contemporary? Did you use abstract
motifs or stylized figures? Does any of the red clay appear as part of the color design?
Did you engrave or add texture to your pot? If so, do you think the engraving adds to the
overall design? Is there anything you’d change if you could do it over again? What would
you use this pot for, if it were fired in a kiln?