Lesson 1: The Coiled Vessel

How does the "score and slip" technique act as a mechanical bond at the molecular level? How can the direction and thickness of a coil change the silhouette of a pot? When is it better to leave coils visible versus smoothing them over for structural strength?

Coil: A long, snake-like rope of clay used to build walls. Score and Slip: To scratch the surface of the clay and apply liquid clay to act as "glue." Template: A cardboard profile used to ensure symmetry and consistent shape. Compressing: Pressing the clay particles together to strengthen the wall and remove air pockets. Shrinkage: The reduction in size of the clay as it dries and is fired.

VA:Cr2.2.HS1: Explain how traditional and non-traditional materials may impact human health and the environment and demonstrate safe handling of materials and tools. VA:Cr3.1.HS1: Engage in constructive critique with peers, then reflect on, re-engage, and revise work in progress.

SBA / PSAT / SAT Connection Proportional Reasoning: Students must calculate the circumference of their base to determine the necessary length of coils, mirroring geometric word problems found in standardized testing. Process Continuity: Understanding how a series of small steps (coils) creates a complex whole.

Description: Students will start with a pinched or slab base and build upward by layering hand-rolled coils. They must use a "rib" tool to smooth at least one side (internal or external) for structural integrity. Purpose: To teach vertical growth and volume control. Unlike pinch pots, coil pots allow for much larger scales. DOK Level: Level 4 (Extended Thinking). Students design a form, create a cardboard template to guide the silhouette, and must adjust their technique to match that specific design over multiple days.

Real-World, Culturally Relevant Connections Jomon Pottery (Japan): Explore the "cord-marked" pottery of ancient Japan, some of the oldest examples of coil building in human history. Maria Martinez (San Ildefonso Pueblo): Study her world-renowned black-on-black coil pottery to see how traditional methods reach the height of modern fine art.

"Stacking is enough": Students often forget to score and slip, or they simply "stack" coils without blending, leading to the pot falling apart like a spring when it dries. Thinning at the bottom: Students often make the bottom coils too thin to support the weight of the top coils.

Differentiation Strategies For Striving Learners: Use an extruder tool to create uniform coils so they can focus entirely on the joining process rather than the rolling process. For Advanced Learners: Require a "coils-as-decoration" section where the coils are left visible in a specific pattern (spirals, braids, or zig-zags). Kinesthetic: Practice rolling coils "from the center out" on various surfaces (canvas vs. wood) to feel how moisture is absorbed.

Assessment of Understanding Formative: "The Light Test"—Hold a flashlight inside the pot in a dim room. If light leaks through the seams, the coils aren't joined properly. Summative: Rubric focusing on: Height Requirement: Did they reach the 8-inch goal? Symmetry: Does the pot lean, or is it balanced? Structural Integrity: Can the pot be handled without coils separating?

Materials: 5–10 lbs of clay per student, serrated ribs, wooden modeling tools, spray bottles (to keep coils moist), cardboard for templates.

Extruder demonstration

Digital: Access to computer/Smartboard, YouTube videos, Chromebook