Ceramics I Syllabus
Helen Lockwood
1. Course Overview:
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Overview – Welcome to Ceramics I! In this introductory ceramics course, students will be exposed to basic handbuilding
procedures as well as wheel-thrown techniques. A variety of both utilitarian and non-utilitarian projects will be constructed.
Students will also engage in fundamental glazing and firing techniques. All projects will include exposure to various tools,
techniques and vocabulary.
Goals – Goals in Ceramics I include, but are not limited to, student exposure to cultural connections throughout ceramics
history, fundamental knowledge of tools and techniques, and exposure to artisans currently involved in the ceramic process.
Objectives – Upon completion of the Ceramics I course, the student will be able to exhibit:
 an understanding of the basic hand building and wheel-thrown techniques
 an understanding and respect for tools, supplies and facilities
 competency in construction and design principles as they apply to basic ceramic
techniques
 understanding and competency in formulating and applying basic glazes
 an understanding of the difference between decorative and utilitarian ceramic pieces
 ability to adhere to all safety regulations pertaining to ceramics, and demonstrate the safe use of materials
 a command of the vocabulary necessary for creating, discussing, and/or writing about ceramics pieces, techniques,
tools, culture, and history
 ability to demonstrate craftsmanship (craft quality)and apply evaluation criteria to ceramic works
 ability to identify career opportunities associated with ceramics
 ability to correlate, compare and contrast different craft materials and usage to the ceramic medium
 ability to keep records of techniques and glazes used, and use records of previous work to plan successive pieces
 ability to use the processes, tools, techniques, and skills necessary to complete ceramics assignment
Themes – The following themes will be introduced during the course:
 Properties and preparation of clay and clay bodies /stages of clay and moisture content
 Basic hand building and wheel-thrown techniques
 Utilitarian and decorative (non-utilitarian) properties
 Finishing techniques, including glazing principles and properties
 Cultural undercurrents of ceramics
 Application of principles of design to ceramics works
Generalizations – The Ceramics I class will acquaint students with recognizing and constructing utilitarian and nonutilitarian ceramics pieces through examples and student experimentation.
SOL Testing status – Although SOL testing is not currently done in ceramics, this course encompasses the Visual Arts
SOLs and supplements SOLs in other tested areas such as Social Studies, Mathematics and Science.
2. Course Outline and Detail:
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Topical outline by marking period (subject to change)
 First Marking Period– Clay properties, tools, facilities usage, clay preparation, pinch technique, begin research project,
introduction to principles of art critique, introduction to record keeping, coiled technique, wheel-thrown introduction
(will include various shapes throughout course), introduction to firing techniques
 Second Marking Period– Slab technique, continue wheel throwing, combining handbuilding with wheel-thrown work,
introduction to glazing techniques, ceramic mold project, complete research project with emphasis on ceramic
reproduction, record keeping, evaluation
 Third Marking Period– Utilitarian project using previously learned techniques, continue wheel-throwing, introduction
to underglazing techniques, begin research project #2, continue record keeping
 Fourth Marking Period – Non-utilitarian project using previously learned techniques (e.g. mask), continue glazing
techniques and experimentation, continue record keeping (include critiques), continue wheel-throwing experimentation
with various shapes, complete glazing and firing of all pieces which exhibit appropriate craftsmanship, complete
research project with emphasis on ceramic reproduction, evaluation and record keeping
 List of possible assignments – Assignments may include, but are not limited to, the following:
 Coiled serving container/coiled fantasy or realistic teapot
 Japanese bowl – pinch method and/or stacked pinch pot sculpture
 Cardboard slab piece
 Wall hanging using all three handbuilding techniques
 Various wheel thrown shapes/containers
 Non-functional ceramic pieces, e.g., clay mask, carved sculptures, etc.
 Glazing/underglazing appropriate ceramic works
 Ceramic journal with record keeping
 Readings – Reading assignments will be based on student research papers, class handouts and Silent Sustained Reading.
Silent Sustained Reading – Students enrolled in Fine Arts classes will be engaged in Silent Sustained Reading for a minimum
of ten minutes per class; the placement of SSR within each class will be determined by individual teachers.
4. Exam Exemptions: Students in all courses may be exempted from their final exam if they meet the following criteria:
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Grade average of 90% or above
No in-school or out-of-school suspensions.
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SOL Exam Substitution/Exam Exemption: Students enrolled in Practical, Standard, Academic, Advanced level courses
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Grading Scale: The Division’s grading scale is a 10-point scale.
will be exempted from their final exam and substitute an SOL end-of-course exam for the final exam.
A: 90 – 100
B: 80 – 89
C: 70 – 79
D: 60 – 69
F: 0 – 59
7. Grading:
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Materials – Respect and safe use of materials
Sketchbook/Journal – Record keeping journal
Homework – Research project
Participation – Full utilization of class time; cooperation and participation in discussions
and critiques
Extra Credit – Available to those students who have used class time wisely
Make-up - Students may be allowed to check out materials to work at home based upon validity of make-up request.
Exams – Periodic quizzes may be administered. First semester exam is mandatory and comprehensive. Second semester
exam is subject to exemption policy.
Summarizers – Student participation in the clean up and summarization of each class is a portion of student grade.
Craftsmanship, timely completion of each project, wise use of class time and meeting of each project’s requirements are a
substantial portion of each grade.
Participation in self evaluation and class critiques will be included in grade.
8. Discipline Plan
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Expected Behaviors – Students are expected to:
 arrive at class on time and begin the “What I Plan to Do Today” portion of Journal immediately
 adhere to all rules and regulations as outlined in the student handbook
 demonstrate respectful behavior to the teacher, other students, materials, tools and facility
 refrain from abusive or vulgar language
 clean all tools and workspace as requested
 Rewards – Both written and verbal and verbal commendations are used. Cooperation with all expected behaviors may
result in the use of appropriate “background music.”
 Consequences – Consequences may vary depending upon type of infraction. Students choosing not to adhere to classroom
rules may expect one or more of the following:
 Student/teacher conference
 Telephone call and/or conference with parent
 Office referral
Honor Code – All students are expected to rigorously follow the Monticello High School honor code. Cheating, stealing, plagiarism,
lying, forgery, and repeated abuses of technology may come before the honor council who will determine the legitimacy of the
violation and consequences. It is especially important that you understand what cheating is. During the course of the year, I will
sometimes ask you to pledge your work or portions of it. This could be a test, a project, lab work, or other school related
assignments. When you write pledge on your work, it is understood that you did the assignment independently without any
assistance from anyone else or without using unapproved books or study aids.
9. Student Planner
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The primary function of the student planner is to teach organizational skills and time management. It must be used for
recording assignments in all classes. A secondary function is for hall passes. STUDENTS WILL BE EXPECTED TO
HAVE PLANNERS WITH THEM AT ALL TIMES!
10. Teacher Contact
Ms. Helen Lockwood; Email – hlockwood@k12albemarle.org; Telephone – (434) 244-3100
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Appendices
Student work done by Monticello High School artists is often photographed, exhibited and displayed throughout the school
and community. In addition, students are often photographed for educational demonstration purposes while working on
classroom assignments. IF YOU DO NOT WISH YOUR STUDENT TO BE PHOTOGRAPHED OR DO NOT WISH
THE WORKS OF YOUR STUDENT(S) TO BE EXHIBITED, PHOTOGRAPHED OR DISPLAYED, PLEASE
CONTACT ME IMMEDIATELY, IN WRITING, AT THE ABOVE SCHOOL ADDRESS.
In the study of art appreciation, art history and aesthetics, students will view art videos, slides and art history pictorial plates,
some of which may include the nude figure. IF YOU DO NOT WISH YOUR CHILD TO VIEW THESE
MATERIALS, PLEASE CONTACT ME IMMEDIATELY, IN WRITING, AT THE ABOVE SCHOOL ADDRESS.
We are excited to pilot the “parent portal” through PowerSchool during the second semester at Monticello. This portal will
give students and parents access to student grades and attendance via the Internet. Teachers will update grades in the parent
portal at a minimum of every other week.
There will be a $25.00 ceramics fee due for this class. Please make checks payable to Monticello
High School.