Students need to see connections between Art and other subjects. The Science teacher and I are teaming up to teach students about the scientific physical changes that occur in clay and glazes in the ceramic process, while they create their own artwork! But we need the clay and glazes to get started!
I teach high school Art in a high-need community in Kentucky where approximately 75% of students are on free and reduced lunch.
We currently attempt to function on a $100/year budget, which serves high school Visual Arts students as well as Art Club participants. Our imagination and creativity level greatly exceeds the allowance of our budget so we need YOUR help!"
My Project
For this collaboration project we will need clay and several choices in ceramic glaze. The students will build their own artwork, and will learn about the physical changes that take place in the clay as the process continues. Students will learn that as water evaporates out of the clay it becomes harder and less easy to work with. It goes from moist, to leather-hard, to bone dry. Then it must be physically fired in a kiln to get all the remaining moisture out so that it can be glazed, which is called the bisque stage. They will learn that at first the glaze may not even resemble the color it is going to become after firing because of the physical change it goes through while being fired in the kiln. At first it is of a milky substance and feels very grainy to the touch, but when it comes out of the kiln the color is very vibrant and looks and feels very smooth and glassy! With this project they not only get the chance to be creative, but also learn about the science in ceramics!
This project will allow my students to see and experience that Art is not only fun, but it also connects with other subject matter.
This project shows that Science is what makes Art work! Without evaporation and scientific physical change, we would be making "mudpies" instead of awesome ceramic artworks!
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. Bates and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
