Shapes and Weights

This activity was designed to have students engage in more directed pre-planning for their ceramics project. As a part of our Legendary creatures unit, this particular exercise employed aspects of geometry and simple formulas to calculate material weight based on specified dimensions.  The lesson engages both Colorado Visual Arts Standards, Invent and Discover to Create, and Envision and Observe and Learn to Comprehend. The students were asked to create a schematic of their project ideas, which included specific dimensions and weights.

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During the lesson, students were introduced to a variety of ceramic shapes and the corresponding dimensions and raw material weights.  Students worked to fill out note catchers that asked them to draw their previously ideated sculpture and assign dimensions of length, width, and height. Then, based on those dimensions, they used a chart to determine the approximate amount of clay needed to build their pieces.  Students were also challenged to adjust their calculations to include material shrinkage. Throughout the lesson, students' thinking was pushed to observe specific material properties, engage their design and planning skills, and problem-solve in real time.
 

Lesson Materials

Slide Deck