1. Slideshow Directions:. have your sketchbook handy
Slideshow Directions: *have your sketchbook handy *look for underlined vocabulary words *copy vocabulary definitions into your sketchbook *take notes on important information

2. Clay
Basics

4. What is ceramic? Clay that has been “fired” is considered ceramic.
*kiln – a large, very hot oven used for firing ceramics
*fire – process by which a kiln heat treats clay to turn it to stone.

5. Ceramic objects are around us everyday…

6. Brief history of ceramics
Ancient people made ceramics pots because they needed durable containers.
Prehistoric ceramic objects are some of the worlds oldest…dating back 25,000 years!
These pots are only 2,000 years old!!

7. Brief history of ceramics
Ceramic objects have been an important part of the world’s history in every culture.

8. Brief history of ceramics
Ceramics still play an important role in the world today as both art and functional objects.

9. As young kids, we knew how to handle play-dough…and working with ceramic clay can be just as easy and fun!

10. Although just as easy to shape and mold as play dough, ceramic clay is fired to become stone.
This difference causes ceramic artists to use special techniques…

11. Before beginning work with clay, it is necessary to first “wedge”, or mix, the clay to remove air bubbles.
*Wedging – a process of hand mixing clay to remove air bubbles that cause explosions in firings.

12. If air bubbles are not removed, the object will explode in the kiln during the first firing, called a “bisque” firing.
*Bisque ware – ceramic objects that have been fired once and have turned stone.

13. Before the bisque firing, “green ware” clay objects must be completely dry.
*Green ware – unfired clay
If the clay is wet when fired or the piece is too thick, it will explode in the kiln.

14. Operating the Pug Mill, How to Wedge Clay, and Texture Stamps Now,
Find and print the Clay Basics Quiz. After you have answered all the questions, turn it in and locate the materials for the Clay Basics Projects:
Operating the Pug Mill,
How to Wedge Clay,
and Texture Stamps