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Ceramics I: Syllabus
Ceramics I/II Periods 5 & 8
Second Semester 2010-11
Instructor: Reuben Torres
Office: Room 107 St. Charles High School
Office Phone: (507) 932-4420 ex. 107
E-mail:
Ceramics 1
Ceramics I and Ceramics II
• Grades 10, 11, and 12 only
• 1 Semester =.5 credit earned
o Ceramics I is a prerequisite for Ceramics II
• $10 lab fee
Ceramics I meets everyday for one semester. Ceramics II will follow Ceramics I in the next semester. The student will explore this medium through both functional and sculptural ideas. Methods that will be used are pinch and pull, coil, slab, carving and molding. A variety of surface textures will be explored. Student will also learn about the firing and glazing process. Students will understand the importance of safety when dealing with all types of clay materials. Ceramics II will be a more advanced class in which students are required to be more familiar with the subject. Students will begin to learn how to use the potter’s wheel throughout the first quarter and continue through the next quarter on a rotational basis.
Goals the students will achieve:
1. Learn how to use clay as an expressive form of art.
• Be creative in what you do
2. View and understand the works of other artists and cultures to help in defining their own art work.
• Culture and History of Ceramic Arts
3. Evaluate the difference between craft and art, functional and non-functional, and abstract and realistic ceramic art.
4. Select and adapt techniques to use with clay to develop a personal style.
Projects to enhance student achievement in the Ceramic Arts:
1. Coil pot/pencil holder
2. Slab box
3. Candle holder
4. Tea pot and cups
5. Research paper on an Ancient Greece
6. Pot in the style of the Ancient Greece
7. Mata Ortiz style pot (southwest style pottery)
8. Vase series
9. Lidded containers (Cookie Jar)
10. Self portrait mug (relief sculpture)
11. Glaze calculations
12. Animal Vase (in the shape of an animal or with one attached)
13. Figurines
14. Pottery wheel
• 3 - similar bowls (size, shape, and color)
• 3 - Six inch or taller Vases
• 3 - similar drinking cups (size, shape, and color)
Grade Scale
A 100% 94.5%
A- 94% 90.5%
B+ 90% 87.5%
B 87% 83.5%
B- 83% 80.5%
C+ 80% 77.5%
C 77% 73.5%
C- 73% 70.5%
D+ 70% 67.5%
D 67% 63.5%
D- 63% 60.5%
Grades will be based on projects, tests, papers, daily work effort, creativity, ability to follow directions, responsibility and safety in a studio setting and a desire to do one’s best. I grade on a total points basis. The more points a student accumulates the better the grade they will receive. Points are earned on each project from 10 points to 180 points depending on the unit being covered as well as other factors related to the unit and the classroom.
Second Semester 2010-11
Instructor: Reuben Torres
Office: Room 107 St. Charles High School
Office Phone: (507) 932-4420 ex. 107
E-mail:
Ceramics 1
Ceramics I and Ceramics II
• Grades 10, 11, and 12 only
• 1 Semester =.5 credit earned
o Ceramics I is a prerequisite for Ceramics II
• $10 lab fee
Ceramics I meets everyday for one semester. Ceramics II will follow Ceramics I in the next semester. The student will explore this medium through both functional and sculptural ideas. Methods that will be used are pinch and pull, coil, slab, carving and molding. A variety of surface textures will be explored. Student will also learn about the firing and glazing process. Students will understand the importance of safety when dealing with all types of clay materials. Ceramics II will be a more advanced class in which students are required to be more familiar with the subject. Students will begin to learn how to use the potter’s wheel throughout the first quarter and continue through the next quarter on a rotational basis.
Goals the students will achieve:
1. Learn how to use clay as an expressive form of art.
• Be creative in what you do
2. View and understand the works of other artists and cultures to help in defining their own art work.
• Culture and History of Ceramic Arts
3. Evaluate the difference between craft and art, functional and non-functional, and abstract and realistic ceramic art.
4. Select and adapt techniques to use with clay to develop a personal style.
Projects to enhance student achievement in the Ceramic Arts:
1. Coil pot/pencil holder
2. Slab box
3. Candle holder
4. Tea pot and cups
5. Research paper on an Ancient Greece
6. Pot in the style of the Ancient Greece
7. Mata Ortiz style pot (southwest style pottery)
8. Vase series
9. Lidded containers (Cookie Jar)
10. Self portrait mug (relief sculpture)
11. Glaze calculations
12. Animal Vase (in the shape of an animal or with one attached)
13. Figurines
14. Pottery wheel
• 3 - similar bowls (size, shape, and color)
• 3 - Six inch or taller Vases
• 3 - similar drinking cups (size, shape, and color)
Grade Scale
A 100% 94.5%
A- 94% 90.5%
B+ 90% 87.5%
B 87% 83.5%
B- 83% 80.5%
C+ 80% 77.5%
C 77% 73.5%
C- 73% 70.5%
D+ 70% 67.5%
D 67% 63.5%
D- 63% 60.5%
Grades will be based on projects, tests, papers, daily work effort, creativity, ability to follow directions, responsibility and safety in a studio setting and a desire to do one’s best. I grade on a total points basis. The more points a student accumulates the better the grade they will receive. Points are earned on each project from 10 points to 180 points depending on the unit being covered as well as other factors related to the unit and the classroom.
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