Pinch Pot Frogs

Third Grade Lesson

2 Class Periods

Pinch Pot Frog, Third Grade Art Lesson

Day 1:
Students began this lesson by creating a small pinch pot out of clay.  After creating the pot, student turned it on it's side and gave it a slight push to flatten one side.  The open part of the pot will become the frog's mouth.

Creating the pinch pot.

Pinch pot on it's side.

Next, students took another small ball of clay.  I instructed students to divide the clay ball in half.

Divide a second clay ball in half.  Set half off to the side.

 Part of the clay was set off to the side, the other part was rolled into a coil. 

Roll the other half into a coil.

Students reviewed how to attach two pieces of clay together using slip and score technique and then shown how to attach the coil to the back of the pinch pot.  This coil clay piece, after attached, was then folded and pinched on the side of the pot to form the legs.  Two slices with a needle tool at the bottom of the coil helped form the frogs toes.

Coil attached to back of pinch pot.

Pinch pot with coil legs push and folded to create legs.  Toes created by splicing the bottom of each end of the coil.

Students were then given ideas how to create the tongue, eyes and other features for their frog.  The remaining class period was used to attach these items to the pinch pot frog.

Frogs were labeled with name and class code on the bottom and set out to air dry before placing in the kiln.

Day 2:
On this day students glazed their frogs.  I had numerous glazes out for students to use.  We review proper glazing techniques and then students set to work.

Student Examples: