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Learning how to draw means learning to see. A good art lesson teaches us not only to create but to look at, think about and understand our world through art.

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Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Pottery Wheel 101

Step by step tutorial: How to create pottery on the wheel.
These videos were created by two 7th grade girls. One student interviewed me while the other one video taped. In order to use the pottery wheels in my classroom, my students have to pass a test. 

All the answers to the test are in these videos. Watch them and then see how well you do! Feel free to print out as many copies of the test as you need.
I updated this tutorial because the audio was so bad on the old videos. The first video is the updated tutorial followed by the old ones. 






Pottery  Test

Answer all questions clearly and legibly in full sentences. Incorporate the question into your answer so that I can tell which question you are answering without referring back to the test (for example: ‘Wedging clay means to…).  If you do this you should not have to rewrite the question on your answer sheet.

If you get any answers wrong you must find out the correct answer and then resubmit your test.

You may only go on the wheel if you score 100%.

You will be graded on this test.  Your score on this test counts the same as one homework assignment.



1)    What does it mean to Wedge the clay?
2)    Describe the wedging process.
3)    Why is it necessary to wedge the clay?
4)    What are two ways you can tell if the clay is wedged properly?
5)    After wedging the clay, what do you do next?
6)    Describe how you center a piece of clay on the wheel.
7)    What five tools need to be in your bucket?
8)    How much water do you need in your bucket?
9)    What will happen if you put a hole in the clay before it is centered?
10)   How can you use a wooden rib to help you center the clay?
11)  How thick does the bottom of your pot need to be?
12)  What side of the wheel do you work on when raising the walls?
13) Where do you brace your elbows when working on the wheel?
14) What happens if you lift your right elbow off of your lap while raising the walls?
15)  What does it mean to ‘choke’ the neck of your pot?
16) What tools do you use to remove the pot from
the wheel?
17) What information do you write on the bottom of your pottery?
18) Describe what tools and procedures you use when cleaning your wheel.

19) Where do you dump your extra clay to prevent it from going down the drain?
20)  Where do you put your clean bucket when you are done cleaning up?









Pottery Test Questions In Spanish
(thanks to Google Translate)
1) ¿Qué significa para la cuña de la arcilla?
2) Describa el proceso de acuñamiento.
3) ¿Por qué es necesario para calzar la arcilla?
4) ¿Cuáles son dos formas de saber si la arcilla está encajado correctamente?
5) Después de que acuña la arcilla, ¿qué hacer a continuación?
6) Describa cómo centro de un pedazo de arcilla en la rueda.
7) ¿Qué cinco herramientas deben estar en su cubo?
8) ¿Cuánta agua se necesita en su cubo?
9) ¿Qué pasará si se pone un agujero en la arcilla antes de que se centra?
10) ¿Cómo puede usar una costilla de madera para ayudarle a centro de la arcilla?
11) ¿De qué grosor es el fondo de la olla que estar?
12) ¿De qué lado de la rueda no se trabaja en la crianza de las paredes?
13) ¿Dónde apoye sus codos cuando se trabaja en la rueda?
14) ¿Qué sucede si usted levanta el codo derecho fuera de su regazo mientras levanta las paredes?
15) ¿Qué significa 'estrangulador' del cuello de la olla?
16) ¿Qué herramientas utiliza para quitar la olla del
la rueda?
17) ¿Qué información se escribe en la parte inferior de la cerámica?
18) Describa qué herramientas y procedimientos que utilice para limpiar la rueda.

19) ¿Dónde se vuelque la arcilla extra para evitar que se va por el desagüe?
20) ¿Dónde poner el cubo limpio cuando haya terminado la limpieza?

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