Introduction to basic glazing, Raku and pit firing techniques

Level: 6th to 8th grade Various curricular integration Social Studies: Native Americans

& Ancient CulturesScience: Chemistry & Temperature Lesson Plan by Noreen Strehlow

Equipment needed: An electric kiln (most universities also have a Raku kiln and large gas kilns)Bricks, shelves, cones, protective clothing and toolsA large metal garbage can with holes drilled all over can serve as a pit fire kilnColored slips, terra sigilatta, underglazes, glazes, brushes, tongs, mixing toolsStorage and work areas suitable for glazing and firing greenware and bisque workAn airbrush with proper ventilation

Students will learn that slips and terra sigillatas go on leather-hard clay which must be bone dry before bisque firing

Students will learn that bisque fired pieces can be underglazed and glazed and then cone fired

Leather-hard The condition of a clay body when much of the moisture has evaporated and shrinkage has just ended, but the clay is not totally dry. Carving, burnishing, or joining slabs are often done at this stage.

Bone DryClay that has the moisture completely evaporated. It can no longer be scored and slipped without compromising the strength of the piece.

BisqueClay that has been fired to a state hard enough for glazing

SlipClay suspended in water. When it is a yogurt consistency it can be used to join pieces with scoring. When a cream consistency with a coloring agent added it can be painted on leather-hard pieces and burnished.

Greenware Unfired pottery or sculpture.

Students will learn about the Raku processStudents will learn that special glazes need to be used for RakuStudents will learn that the Raku process creates very unique effects

Students will learn that protective clothing must be wornStudents will learn that sandals are NOT proper protective foot covering!!Students will learn that it gets really, really hot around the Raku kiln

Students will learn that the Raku process is faster than cone firing piecesStudents will learn that the Raku process is a very exciting sensory

experience

Students will learn that you need to set up a sand pit with buckets for the pieces when they come out of the kiln after firingStudents will learn that after being put in the sand with shredded paper, etc. for 15 min., the pieces are then immersed into water to complete the Raku process

Students will learn that after 15 min. under the buckets, the pieces will be immersed in water to complete the Raku process

Students will learn that you often get unexpected results with Raku

Students will learn that you can also pit fire bisque piecesStudents will learn that you use terra sigilatta for best results in the pit fireStudents will learn that the pit fire is a slow but relatively inexpensive processStudents will learn that a garbage can, paper, branches, leaves, and even trash

can be used for a pit fire

Students will learn that you must pit fire outdoors or in a well ventilated areaStudents will learn that because the pieces are packed on top of each other,

they must be sturdy

Students will learn that you must watch a pit fire carefullyStudents will learn that pit firing is a slow process, depending on the size of the pit

Students will learn that pit fired pieces have a very rugged, blackened look

Students will learn about electric and gas kilns used for bisque and cone firing

Students will learn that leather hard pieces can be stained and scratched into (Scrafitto)

Students will learn that leather hard pieces can be scratched into and have stain rubbed into the grooves. (Machina)

Students will learn that underglazes and glazes can be added to bisque pieces

Students will learn that the shiny smooth look is achieved in cone firingStudents will learn that the glazes flux in the heat, forming a glassy surfaceStudents will learn that often results are not what they expected

Students will learn that the shiny smooth look is achieved in cone firingStudents will learn that the glazes flux in the heat, forming a glassy surfaceStudents will learn that often results are not what they expected