Pinch Pots: "The oldest and simplest handmade ceramic form. Holding a kneaded ball of clay in one hand, and pushing the thumb into the center. By pinching and rotating motion between the thumb and index fingers, one can open up the form" (Schafer and Dargatz).
This was the first peer lesson plan of our Arts Method class. Ms. Schafer and Ms. Dargatz presented a beginning clay unit lesson plan with pinch pots. They showed us the proper way to knead the clay by means of pushing straight down on the clay against the table, picking it up and repeating in order to remove any of the air bubbles that may reside in the clay. Once all the air bubbles are removed, the clay form is tossed from hand to hand to create a ball of clay that can be worked into a pinch pot. Once a ball of clay is formed the artists place their thumbs in the center of the ball and push down, holding the sides of the ball with the remaining fingertips. To increase the size of the center and to create the desired shape, the artists leave their thumbs in the center and rotate the forming pots with their fingertips. Once the desired shape of the pot is obtained, the pot's surface is smoothed out using slip. To decorate the pot, I used a scoring tool to outline the inside of the pot to create a raised center. I also took a toothpick like stick and made indentations in a zigzag pattern. The outside of the pot is scored with a cheese grater like utensil.
Extension Activity:
Pinch pots would work perfectly with studying any ancient cultures and their pottery. Students will research the type of pottery made in the culture and recreate the pottery and explain what it would be used for.
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