Creating a Pinch Pot

Lesson Summary:
We began by learning about the history of pinch pots and the correct ways to create an art piece. We talked about how Native American Tribes have used pint pots for thousands of years and that many used them to store grains such as corn and wheat. The class learned how to create a pot step-by-step while learning vocabulary such as slip and wedging. Then we began working with the clay to make our own pinch pots. Teachers moved around to each student and made sure that they were using proper technique when working with the clay. The requirements for the lesson were that each student needed to use the tools provided to make three different types of textures. Personally, I created a watermelon for a pinch pot. I added shapes (the seeds), texture (the inside of the watermelon has an indent), and lines (the outside has lines to separate the different colors of the outside of a watermelon).

Extension Activity:
After the student's pinch pots have been created, it would be fun for the students to paint their pinch pots. Since they have to dry, the first day students could mold the pinch pots. The next class they could then add colors to projects. That way they can incorporate color as another art element and more personality too. For example, on mine I could add more watermelon characteristics through color.