Creative Pinch Pot Ideas for Kids. Learn how to make pinch pots quickly and easily and explore the seasons with our lovely Pinch Pot Projects & Designs.

Pinch pots are simple hand-made pottery that your kids can also make! These ideas for pinch pots will let you and your kids explore so many beautiful and creative pinch pot ideas together! Have a

These cute pots were a challenge for my third grade students. I used to make pinch pots with first grade but found that I ended up doing m...

Pinch pots are simple hand-made pottery that your kids can also make! These ideas for pinch pots will let you and your kids explore so many beautiful and creative pinch pot ideas together! Have a

Noble art that is appreciated on a large scale and considered a masterpiece may not be up to most of us as we may not have the talent, the skill, the

getting ready for a new children's clay session...all about birds

Noble art that is appreciated on a large scale and considered a masterpiece may not be up to most of us as we may not have the talent, the skill, the

The ultimate curriculum platform for K-12 art teachers. FLEX gives art teachers access to a rich library of standards-aligned curriculum materials so they can save time and focus on teaching and student learning.

This easy clay flower pinch pot art project is perfect for kids of all ages. Learn to build a simple clay flower bowl with these easy steps.

Lessons Learnt Journal is all about life with kids. #playmatters; All about life with kids. Aussie Mum and teacher sharing love for play, math games, writing, reading. Needs naps.

Pinch pots are simple hand-made pottery that your kids can also make! These ideas for pinch pots will let you and your kids explore so many beautiful and creative pinch pot ideas together! Have a

We are having a great time at the summer Clay Camp for kids that I taught in DeForest, WI. The second week we made clay monsters. To make a monster, first, start by making a pinch pot. See this website for a demo of pinch pots if you are not sure how. Next, gently squish the pinch pot so it is slightly flattened. Turn the pinch pot on its side and add teeth, eyes, legs, feet, horns, ears, nose, tongue or whatever you want! These were made by kids in grades K-3: The final step is to paint these, which we will do at the end of the class. Some of these were made by older kids (grades 4 and up). Here are more examples of clay monsters:

3rd graders learned about ancient tea drinking traditions and rituals. We also looked closely at the shape and how they are elaborately decorated with symbols of their culture. First of all the teacup were fairly small and they didn't have a handle! They have a small 'foot' or base on the bottom. First I had to break the news that yes Model Magic is not waterproof and we couldn't actually drink from these cups. But we got over that in a hurry and were excited to decorate and design our cups! Each cup was made with one small classroom package of white model magic. I tell students to pull off a quarter coin size piece/ball of clay. Put that to the side for the base. I show students the class pinch pot technique with their thumb. Then I show the technique of making a thick coil or a 'snake' with the quarter sized piece for the base/foot. Form into an "O" by connecting the ends of the coil. Just gently set the cup on the coil. Then write your name and class code on a small slip of paper and set cup on top, then on shelf. Just to give you an idea how big they are, they're about 2 inches across.  Next time the clay will be dried out and hardened (it's never rock hard because model magic is soft white air-dry like dough) and let students it's not like fired clay, o be careful. Now transfer your name and class with permanent black marker on the bottom base. Now it's time to design your cup! Use permanent sharpies, Chinese characters, and symbols to decorate the outside edge. Student work...check em out! WOws. 

Here are some pics of our clay projects that recently went home with my youngest students. I hope they have each found a perfect spot for display at home! Find out more details by searching previous posts on these lessons - just enter the name of the lesson in the space on the right sidebar. Kindergarten: shoe print charms with a focus on surface texture and glazing First grade: Van Gogh-inspired sunflower pinch pots with a focus on form, texture and glazing Second grade: thumb owls with a focus on modeling, pinching form, texture and glazing

These beautiful little pinch pots are so easy to make and are great to store your treasures in!

Art Teacher: Marnie Hyland

MAKE RAINBOW PINCH POTS

A blog about making and selling pots

This is a step by step guide with images on how to make a pinch pot. Making pinch pots is and easy speedy way to make lovely pottery

The ultimate curriculum platform for K-12 art teachers. FLEX gives art teachers access to a rich library of standards-aligned curriculum materials so they can save time and focus on teaching and student learning.

If you watch the news then you know we have had record rain here in North Texas for the month of May. The gardens are growing in and outside of the classroom, but enough is enough! My fifth graders just finished these amazing one day pinch pots.... They used Sax underglaze with a clear coat to finish last week. It is hard to get the clay to dry out and find a non stormy day to run the kiln this month! We have had 3 inches of rain on Saturday.... not to mention the amount falling right now. my little garden is lush... but it needs some sunlight to ripen the tomatoes. Third Grade is working on their last project.... We looked at Rufino Tamayo's paintings and drew repeated slices with oil pastels. 12 x 18 white sulfite paper Sax tempera cakes love these...I know I pinned this idea from Pinterest but can't find the pin.. Thanks to whoever originally posted this lesson. I was also treated to the Teacher of the year dinner last week with many of my long time teacher friends and family. my girls Art Teachers! My Family... 11 more days then stay tuned for Summer School Art!

Drawing of simple pinch pot ideas. Title: Ceramic Pinch Pots With Animal Features Topic: learning to work with clay, sculpture Goals & Objectives: Students will model clay with control. Students will build upon past knowledge in order to craft an original, three-dimensional artwork. Through observation, investigation and discipline, students will create an art object demonstrating the use of the elements and principles of design. Students will use ceramic vocabulary when referring to the processes of shaping clay objects. GLEs: Strand I: Product/Performance for Sculpture, Ceramics, Other Media A.2. Select and apply three-dimensional media, techniques, and processes to communicate ideas and solve challenging visual art problems. Grade K - Uses scissors with control, Modeling with clay or a similar material to create a sphere Strand I: Product/Performance for Subject Matter: Functional Art B. 3. Communicate ideas about subject matter and themes in artworks created for various purposes Grade 3 - Create a container (e.g., paper box, clay pot, fiber basket) Strand II: Elements and Principles – Shapes B. 1. Select and use elements of art for their effect in communicating ideas through artwork. Grade K - Identify and use shapes, Categorize shapes as large and small Grade: kindergarten and 1st Population: At Ellisville Elementary School there are approximately 110 first graders and 100 kindergarteners. 90% of these students are white and 50% of them are female. Approximately 5% of the students in both grades is African American and the remaining 5% is either Asian, Hispanic or Indian (from India). Length of Class Period: 55 min. Frequency of Class Period: once a week Time Needed: two class period Facility & Equipment Requirements: One computer lap top Room with good lighting Large tables, approximately ten, each seating four students Two sinks Dry erase board Drying racks Cabinets for storage Projector for viewing computer video, CDs and DVDs Kiln for firing porcelain ceramic pinch pots Resources Needed: "Children of Clay: A Family of Pueblo Potters" by Rina Swentzell Tips for beginning potters by Murry's Pottery. This video collection is appropriate for very young students. Murry shows basic techniques, child appropriate language, kind voice, secular presentations, excellent visuals and explanations. (15 videos) Video from theartproject by Chad Brown Sample illustration for the chalkboard/interactive whiteboard at top of the page Materials Per Student: Both a large and small paint brush A selection of glazes in egg carton, one carton per four students A large container of water, one per four students A paper towel Amount of clay approximating the size of a tennis ball per student is used for the modeling of this object A variety of clay printing and modeling tools (wood chips, shells, pencils, clay stamps, etc...) Each student will need one burlap placemat to keep his/her working space clean and also to prevent clay from sticking to their counter space while he/she works Vocabulary/Terminology: pinch - to form clay between the fingers and the palm coil - a rope-like formation of clay slab - a evenly rolled or pressed layer of clay bisque - is clay that has been fired but not yet glazed ceramics - are objects created from stoneware, porcelain or terra cotta clay - soil, water and sand fire - is the name for the heat that is used in a kiln glaze - a glass paint used on pottery kiln - a special oven used for hardening clay greenware - pottery that is not yet fired in a kiln leather hard - the hard condition of clay when it is almost air-dry score - roughen the clay's surface so that a bond may be formed between two surfaces sculpture - a three-dimensional art work slip - a liquid clay used to glue two pieces together texture - press into the clay surface with objects to create a pattern, design or rough surface Motivation- Looking and Talking Activity: The teacher will demonstrate the process of first making a pinch pot and then adding on animal features. Step-by-Step Studio Activity Specifics: Roll the moist clay ball between your palms. Use your thumbs to make a shallow dent no deeper than ½ inch into the clay ball. Remove your thumb and insert it again into the shallow hole slowly and push deeper into the clay ¼ inch. Remove your thumb and insert it again into the hole slowly pushing deeper into the clay approx. ¼ inch deeper. Remove your thumb. Hold the clay ball with your left hand if you are right-handed or with your right hand if your are left-handed. Insert your dominant hand’s thumb into the hole and wrap your four remaining fingers over the top of the clay ball. Keep these fingers together and pinch with your thumb on the inside of the hole towards your fingers. This will make the interior wall of the clay ball thinner as you gently turn the ball while pinching slowly. Teachers can demonstrate this movement also at this time by using a plastic, transparent cup to show students what they can only feel (not see) while pinching into clay. See photo just above Step-by-Step for reference. Once the hole is widen enough to fit both of your thumbs into it, switch to pinching with both hands simultaneously. Wrap both sets of four fingers around the clay ball and continue to pinch and turn until your ball looks more like a pot. (The teacher may refer to this step as “driving a car” for very young students.) Once the walls of the pot are an even thickness, (approx. ½ inch) shape the bottom of your pot by gently tapping it on your desktop to form a flat surface. Divide a second lump of clay into five equal parts. Use all of the clay up until it is gone. Roll all five lumps into five smooth balls. Turn pinch pot upside down. Scratch the bottom. Fill the scratches with drops of water. Press four of the five balls into the scratches to create four feet on the bottom of your pinch pot. Turn the pot right side up. Scratch the edge of the top. Fill the scratches with water droplets. Press the fifth ball into place where ever you wish the head to go. Form tail, ears, and any other features and then attach in the same way. Carve in facial features. Your teacher will fire the pot. Glaze three coats of every color in order to properly cover ceramic pots. Try not to apply glaze to the bottom surface edges of footed pots if it can be helped. Special Needs Adaptations: Modifications for the hard-of-hearing or deaf student: Student will be seated closer to instructor so they will be better equipped to hear instructions or read lips Student will be provided with written instructions so that they read about the discussions and demonstrations The instructor may use a amplification devise provided by the school or student’s parents Modifications for the student with limited vision or blindness: Students will be allowed to observe samples of art projects with their hands and for extended periods of time Students will be provided with safe tools and one-on-one guidance during a demonstration of the project The project may be slightly adjusted to accommodate the student’s limitations or for safety reasons Student will be given ample time to exist classroom before large crowds gather outside of the classroom. Modifications for students with mild brain injury: Students will be provided with duplicate instructions for home and school. Student will not need to remember to carry home materials to review. Students will be given ample time to exist classroom with a pre-determined aid or peer before the official end of a class. Instructor will provide for parent e-mail communication concerning the progress and needs of their student. Student may be given special seat assignment in order to enable his participation in class appropriately. Specific peers may be better equipped to articulate projects visually for this student. Health & Safety Concerns: There are no health and safety concerns for this project. Cleanup Time & Strategy: Students will be instructed to put away art materials neatly in their containers, clean off their tables, and recycle their trash two minutes prior to dismissal. Assessment: The informal assessment is made during class. The teacher watches the students closely during class and grades them for their participation, dexterity and enthusiasm. Student rolling out "legs" for her pinch pot animal. pinch pots in kiln after firing all articles and lesson plans are copyrighted 2011 by Grimm

Well, kids, as you read this, I'm heading out the door and takin' a vacay to charming Charleston with a coupla muthahs. That'd be my dear, albeit totally crazy, mother and my mother-in-law (who will be in need of your prayers as she contends with a double dose of deranged). If one of us doesn't make it back, it'll be my mom who I'll prolly leave tied to a chair in the hotel room with tape over her mouth (true story: in elementary school, my mom talked so much the teacher resorted to taping her mouth closed. She promptly chewed through the tape and commenced chatting. This is what I'll be dealing with). Wish me luck, kids! In the meantime, I thought I'd share with you these here 2nd grade Pinch Pot Tigers! At my school, the tiger is our mascot so the kids were totally excited to bring the Johnson Tiger to life. Some kids went the traditional Bengal orange and black tiger route... While others created a white tiger. Did you know that the white of the tiger's fur is a recessive gene? Some mistake them for being albino but that's not so. Many white tigers are bred but, because there are so few of them, there is usually inbreeding. This results in all sorts of birth defects and also has scientists considering renaming the White Tiger the Kentucky Tiger (so sorry, Kentucky friends. That was a low [although hilarious, right?!] blow). The kids loved creating these tigers. I was so thrilled to see them painstakingly paint those wee tiger faces. That's when you know they are in love with their project, when they put forth so much effort. So just how'd they do it? Well, we started out with these supplies: * Low-fire clay (I'm a Cone 06 gal, myself) * Toothbrush (preferably your mom's or mother-in-laws, depending on who you're ticked at) * A skewer * Aqua * A clay mat. Canvas works great. To create these bad boys, we used 2-3 thirty minute classes. On the first day, we made a pinch pot and tiger legs. For the pot, I tell the kids to begin by rolling a sphere and placing it in the palm of your hand. Notice that the sphere isn't perfect. I try to discourage the kids from rolling a perfect sphere because they will do it FOREVER thus drying out their clay and using up precious art time. Next up: stick your thumb in that sphere of clay until it looks as though your thumb has an afro. Do not puncture your thumb all the way through your clay as that would result in a clay donut. And don't nobody like clay donuts. They's nasty. Pop that thumb out and use your pinching fingers to evenly pinch the sides of your pot. It should be of cookie-thickness. Once completed, the kids are given another piece of clay. For this, they'll divide the clay in half and roll two coils that are about 4" in length. I have rulers out on the tables for this reason. Once complete, the kids stack their pot onto their coils, wrap it in a damp paper towel and put it in a labeled zip lock bag until next class. The following class, we chat about making tiger faces. I don't like to tell the kids an exact way of creating a face so we go through many options. When working with clay, I like to stress that you can make anything outta clay with a sphere, a slab or a coil. We chat about the different features a tiger might have and what, out of those three things, we might use to create them. When demoing, I always stress that you gotta slip and score. I have the kids use the toothbrush and that cup of water for this purpose. After this chat, the kids work on creating the heads. Because of the detail they like to create, most take the entire time making that clay head. Once finished, it gets placed in the zip lock bag along with the pinch pot and coils. This young artist didn't like my cartoon-y version of a tiger. I had a buncha tiger photos on display as well as one pulled up on my brand new big screen T.V. (ya'll, this thing makes me feel like I'm in a sports bar, it's that huge). I love how she created a three-dimensional muzzle for her tiger and that painting job, gah! I love my 2nd graders. On the final day, we toothbrushed and added the heads and legs. Now, I'm not gonna lie, those legs had been in that zip lock bag for days. So they were a little dried out and noncooperative. To solve that, some kids opted to have their tigers laying down (as the clay was too weak to support the pinch pot) while others crumpled up newspaper and used that to prop up the tiger's legs. After the legs and head were attached, some kids created a tail. I had to really encourage them to make strong thick tails that did not protrude. So most rolled a coil for the tail and then turned that into a spiral before attaching to the pot. If the kids happened to have extra time when finished, I told 'em that they could create something to go along with their tiger. However, I reminded them that I'd only fire it if they made sure to slip and score. This young artist created a baby tiger to accompany the mama. And this one decided to have a mouse riding on the back of the tiger. Another Kentucky Tiger. Once the tigers were complete, the kids glazed then with Mayco's Stroke and Coat. It's my fave as the colors are just perfect. The kids spent an art class with the World's Smallest Paint Brushes to create these lovelies. When it comes to glazing, I only have two rules: Don't Glaze the Bottom (because the glaze, when melted, will adhere to the kiln shelf) and Don't Layer Three Zillion Different Colors of Glaze as this will result in an unappealing mix of muddy colors once fired. And there you have it, friends! A Pinch Pot Mascot that's both functional ("oh, my tiger can hold my earrings!") and adorbs. Until next time, wish me luck with those mothers and have yourself a great week, ya'll!