Pinch Pot Creatures

If you Google, ''pinch pot creatures," there are many websites with wonderful examples including those from elementary and middle school teachers. After teaching a variety of lessons based on learning the basic hand building techniques, I decided to try this idea and it was a total hit. I think you could do this with any age group from children to adults. Who could resist the idea of creating an imaginary creature and in the process learning a variety of ceramic and sculptural techniques. The element of fun and imagination engages students in learning all the technical skills. I opted for painting with acrylic paints since I also wanted to have students practice their patterning skills as part of the finishing process.