Benchmark Series: Ceramic Slab Includes Descriptive Criteria and Sequential Skill Development To show larger image of artwork click on the thumbnail To return to the “thumbnail” page, click on “click to return” Art Education Fulton County Schools 2009

Emerging Proficient Advanced Benchmarks: Ceramic Slab

Descriptive Criteria Verbal descriptors of visual benchmarks Describe traits of emerging, proficient and advanced artwork Return to thumbnails

Emerging Traits Lids do not fit or were not attempted Unintentional cracks and warping Limited understanding of structural stability Simple or little surface treatment Surfaces are partially unintentional, neither smooth nor intentionally textured Uneven glaze application or glaze does not enhance form and content of work Unintentional rough edges Clunky, chunky thick slabs that are uneven Form and Surface do enhance each other Form does not engage 3-D space and/or surface design does not engage picture plane space Flat; not sculptural; Viewpoint not considered from all sides in construction Some effort put into design but is unsuccessful or limited Trite subject matter and/or composition Simplified form/ design/composition No personal voice Teacher driven projects with little student input Images are not emotive or carefully observed Artistic VisionCompositional SkillTechnical Skill Return to thumbnails

Proficient Traits Increased and intentional surface decoration and treatment Construction shows more than just the additive process Surfaces, edges, rims look intentional and are smooth or rough as decided by the artist Applies basic techniques in a sophisticated manner Emergence of mixed media Overall technical skills are strong; all parts of the pot are well-crafted Increased awareness of surface and how it relates to form Thoughtful use of positive and negative space in form and surface decoration Integrates design elements and principals to create unified, exciting work (repetition, variation within unity, emphasis, movement, rhythm) Emerging personal voice is evident Student is beginning to take risks and thinking more divergently Less teacher- focused assignments Shows personal thought and concept development Artistic VisionCompositional SkillTechnical Skill Return to thumbnails

Advanced Traits Shows range and control over medium and technique Firing and glazing are purposeful integrated with form Alternative firing techniques: Raku, sagar, smoke, terra sigillata enhance the form If used, mixed media is integral to the design and totally unified with the clay Variety in mark making and surface texture All surfaces and forms look 100% intentional Masterful use of positive and negative space in both form and surface decoration Development of series Extreme in complexity...or simplicity Stability/balance/ weight shift in slab creates movement, rhythm, or elegant balance Seamless incorporation of design elements and principles in all parts of work Intent is evident; student is “thinking outside the slab” Development of a personal voice Shows risk taking and confidence in all phases of creation Use of media expresses intended message or concept Understands connections between historical/traditional ceramics and their own work and that of contemporary artworks Artistic VisionCompositional SkillTechnical Skill Return to thumbnails

Sequential Skill Development A listing of skills, related to this benchmark, that are developed at each level: –Middle School Art Courses –High School Introduction to Art –Ceramics 1 and 2 –Advanced Placement 3D VIP: Art History, Criticism, Aesthetics Are Woven Into All Units Return to thumbnails

Middle School and Introduction to Art Ceramic Skills Note: Art History, Criticism, Aesthetics Are Woven Into All Units Elements and Principles bridge from 2D to 3D Roll a uniform slab; control over measurements and form Proper adhesion: score, slip, score and bond Construction issues; leather hard, handling and drying slabs at different stages, controlling warping and the difference between soft and hard slab techniques Simple mark-making techniques/ implied texture and basic surface decoration Basic knowledge of the history and vocabulary of clay Introduction to throwing and rolling slabs, using templates and types of molds

Return to thumbnails Ceramics 1 Slab Skills Firing and Glazing; experiment with multiple techniques and purposeful applications Development of technical skill with templates, planning, measurements and joining seams Elements and principles interact from multiple viewpoints; thinking “in the round” Relates the construction and firing processes to the communication of an idea Develops personal expression of ideas Understanding the range of media Extend use of tools and media; varying stages of dryness, piercing, texture, greater concern for craftsmanship Understanding form versus function

Ceramics II, III, IV and Advanced Placement 3D Mastery and extension of all previous topics and add: Return to thumbnails Firing and glazing selected to enhance form and message in work Mastery of technical skills; push media and technique Seamless use of design elements and principles in the artwork Complex compositional development Complex mixed media compositions Development of a personal voice in a piece or in a body of work Mastery of construction, surface design, glaze application and/or finishing treatment Clear ability to create the intended idea or concept Alternative firing techniques used to create selected surfaces and content Student understands connection between their work and historical and contemporary ceramic work

Return to thumbnails