Lesson 1: Funny Animal Models

How can pinching and coils be combined to create a strong hollow form?
How does exaggeration of size and shape make an animal look funny or expressive?
Why is even thickness important when building a ceramic sculpture?

Pinch Pot – A hollow form created by pinching clay
Coil – A rolled rope of clay used to build or attach parts
Score and Slip – Scratching and adding liquid clay to join pieces
Compression – Pressing clay together to strengthen joints
Hollow Form – A form that has empty space inside
Proportion – The size relationship between parts of a form

Standards Addressed:
VA:Cr2.1.HS1 – Experiment with materials, tools, and techniques to develop works of art
VA:Cr3.1.HS1 – Reflect, revise, and improve work through critique

Spatial reasoning: Students visualize and build three-dimensional forms from parts.
Problem solving: Students adjust proportions and connections to maintain balance and stability.

Description:
Students will build a humorous animal sculpture by forming pinch pots for the main body and head, then using coils to create and attach features such as legs, tails, ears, or horns. All parts must be hollow, securely joined, and structurally stable.
Purpose:
This lesson teaches students how to build complex hollow forms by combining pinching and coils. It reinforces construction skills while encouraging creativity, exaggeration, and character development in sculpture.
DOK Level:
Level 3–4. Students must plan, build, problem-solve, and revise a three-dimensional form over multiple days.

Folk art traditions around the world use animals to tell stories and express humor.
Mexican ceramic animals (Alebrijes) use exaggerated forms and bright personalities.
Cartoons and animation rely on exaggerated proportions to create humor and emotion.

“Thick clay is stronger.” ? Thick walls can crack; even thickness is safer.
“I can just stick pieces on.” ? All parts must be scored, slipped, and compressed.
“Funny means sloppy.” ? Expressive forms still require careful construction.

Differentiation Strategies:
Striving Learners:
Use larger pinch forms and thicker coils for stability
Teacher-guided joining and hollowing
Advanced Learners:
Require multiple body parts
Must exaggerate proportions in at least three areas
Kinesthetic Learners:
Practice pinching and coil-making before building

Assessment of Understanding:

Formative:

• Teacher observation of coil joins and wall thickness

• Peer check: Does the animal stand? Are seams sealed?

Summative:

• Hollow construction

• Secure coil attachments

• Expressive, humorous design

• Structural stability

Materials / Resources 

• Clay (5–7 lbs per student)

• Wooden modeling tools

• Serrated ribs

• Slip and scoring tools

• Spray bottles

• Visual examples of cartoon or folk-art animals