Class: Senior Secondary School 1 (SS1, SS 1, SSS1, SSS 1)
Term: 3rd Term
Week: 3
Age: 15 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Visual Art
Curriculum Theme: Visual Art
Previous Lesson: Introduction to Art Appreciation: Evaluating Artworks and Design Principles.
Topic: Methods of Modelling
Subject Matter: Methods of making ceramic works; coiling method; slabbing method; pinching method; process of drying ceramic works; process of firing ceramic works.

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

Cognitive Domain:

Define modelling and ceramic work.
List methods of modelling ceramic works: coiling, slabbing, and pinching.
Explain the steps involved in coiling, slabbing, and pinching methods.
State the process of drying ceramic works.
State the process of firing ceramic works.

Affective Domain:

Show interest in clay work and careful handling of materials.
Appreciate neatness and patience needed for modelling, drying, and firing.
Demonstrate safety consciousness during practical activities.

Psychomotor Domain:

Prepare clay for modelling by wedging and shaping properly.
Create a simple form using at least one modelling method.
Use simple tools (spatula, sponge) to smooth and join clay parts.

Work in groups to participate in class demonstration of modelling.
Share tools and materials responsibly and keep the work area clean.
Present group work briefly and accept feedback respectfully.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

9 Years Basic Education Curriculum
State Unified Scheme of Work
New Practical Fine Art for Senior Secondary Schools (relevant chapter on ceramics and modelling)
Encyclopaedia Britannica: Pottery
Victoria and Albert Museum: Ceramics Overview
Smithsonian Magazine: Art and History of Ceramics

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

Clay
Table/working board
Buckets/bowls of water
Sponge
Spatula/modelling tools
Aprons or old shirts and cleaning cloth
Samples or pictures of ceramic works made by coiling, slabbing, and pinching

Rationale for the Lesson

Modelling methods help pupils to understand how ceramic items are formed from clay before drying and firing. The skill supports practical art projects and helps pupils to create useful objects like small bowls, cups, and decorative forms.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils have seen clay works or simple pottery items and can form basic shapes with their hands.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Methods of Modelling for Ceramic Works

Meaning of Modelling

Modelling is shaping a soft material such as clay into a desired form by hand and with simple tools.

Meaning of Ceramic Works

Ceramic works are objects made from clay and hardened by drying and firing to become strong.

Methods of Making Ceramic Works

The following are common methods of modelling ceramic works:

Coiling method
Slabbing method
Pinching method

Coiling Method

Coiling is building a clay form by arranging rolled clay ropes (coils) in layers and joining them together.

The following are steps in the coiling method:

Prepare clay by wedging to remove air bubbles.
Roll clay into long coils of even thickness.
Form the base (flat disc or small bowl shape).
Place coils on the edge of the base in layers to build the walls.
Score and add slip/water lightly on joining points.
Press and smooth coils together inside and outside to strengthen the wall.
Shape the rim and smooth the surface with a sponge or tool.

Slabbing Method

Slabbing is making a clay form using flat clay sheets (slabs) that are cut, joined, and shaped.

The following are steps in the slabbing method:

Prepare clay by wedging.
Roll clay into flat slabs of even thickness on a board.
Cut slabs into required shapes using a straight edge or template.
Score the edges to be joined and apply slip/water lightly.
Join slabs to form the sides and base of the object.
Support corners and edges, then smooth and strengthen the joints.
Trim excess clay and refine the final form.

Pinching Method

Pinching is forming a clay object by pressing and pinching a clay ball with fingers to create a hollow form.

The following are steps in the pinching method:

Prepare clay by wedging and form it into a ball.
Press the thumb into the centre to create an opening.
Pinch the clay gently round the opening to widen and deepen it.
Keep the wall thickness even by pinching slowly and turning the clay.
Smooth the surface with fingers, sponge, or a simple tool.
Shape the rim and base, then refine the form.

Process of Drying Ceramic Works

Drying is removing moisture from clay gradually before firing to prevent cracks and breakage.

The following are steps in drying ceramic works:

Place the model on a dry board away from direct sunlight and strong wind.
Allow the work to dry slowly to leather-hard stage (firm but not fully dry).
Trim or add final details at leather-hard stage if needed.
Turn the work occasionally to allow even drying.
Dry to bone-dry stage (fully dry, lighter in colour, and cool feeling reduces).

Process of Firing Ceramic Works

Firing is heating dried clay in a kiln to make it hard and strong.

The following are steps in firing ceramic works:

Check that the work is bone-dry before firing.
Load the kiln carefully, leaving space between items.
Heat the kiln gradually to avoid sudden temperature change.
Carry out bisque firing to harden the clay body.
Allow the kiln to cool before opening and removing items.
Apply glaze if required and fire again for glaze firing.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Lecture, Demonstration, Question and Answer, Visual Aids

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Set Induction
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher displays a simple clay item or picture of a ceramic bowl and asks pupils how such an object could be formed from clay before drying and firing.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe and mention ideas such as rolling, shaping, joining, and moulding.
Learning Point: Ceramic works are formed using specific modelling methods before drying and firing.

Step 2: Meaning of Modelling and Ceramic Works

Time: 6 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher defines modelling and ceramic works and writes key meanings on the board, using a short example with a clay ball.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils copy notes and answer brief questions on definitions.
Learning Point: Modelling shapes clay into forms that become ceramic works after drying and firing.

Step 3: Coiling Method

Time: 6 minutes
Teaching Skill: Demonstration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher demonstrates rolling coils, building a simple form, scoring, joining, and smoothing coils, then lists the steps on the board.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe closely and identify the main steps in coiling.
Learning Point: Coiling builds a form by arranging and joining clay coils in layers.

Step 4: Slabbing Method

Time: 6 minutes
Teaching Skill: Demonstration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher demonstrates making a slab, cutting shapes, joining edges with scoring and slip, and forming a simple box or tile form.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe and mention materials and steps used for slabbing.
Learning Point: Slabbing forms objects using flat clay sheets joined together.

Step 5: Pinching Method

Time: 6 minutes
Teaching Skill: Demonstration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher demonstrates pinching a clay ball into a small bowl while keeping wall thickness even and smoothing the surface.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe and describe how to keep the walls even and neat.
Learning Point: Pinching forms a hollow object by pressing and pinching with fingers.

Step 6: Drying and Firing Processes

Time: 6 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation and Illustration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the stages of drying (leather-hard and bone-dry) and outlines firing steps, including safety points and the need for gradual heating and cooling.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils copy key points and answer questions on drying and firing steps.
Learning Point: Proper drying and firing prevent cracks and make ceramic works strong.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

Define modelling and ceramic works.
List three methods of modelling ceramic works.
Explain four steps in the coiling method.
State three steps each in drying and firing ceramic works.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Summary and Reinforcement
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes the methods and processes, checks pupils’ participation in the demonstration, and gives an assignment to sketch and write steps for one modelling method and the drying process.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils submit group practice work where available and note the assignment.
Learning Point: Understanding modelling methods supports proper production of ceramic works.

Lesson Keywords

Modelling – Shaping clay into a desired form using hands and tools.
Ceramic – Clay object hardened by drying and firing.
Coiling – Building a form with rolled clay ropes joined in layers.
Slabbing – Forming objects with flat clay sheets joined together.
Pinching – Making a hollow form by pressing and pinching a clay ball.
Leather-hard – Semi-dry stage when clay is firm but can still be trimmed.
Bone-dry – Fully dried stage before firing.
Firing – Heating clay in a kiln to harden it permanently.

Differentiation

Pupils who need support will work with a simple pinching task using a small clay ball and focus on even wall thickness. Pupils who progress faster will attempt a coil-built form and describe the drying stages clearly, including leather-hard and bone-dry.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Emphasize safe handling of tools, clean work surfaces, and controlled use of water to avoid weak joints. Ensure pupils understand that drying must be gradual and firing requires correct loading, heating, and cooling to prevent damage.