Springfield College

Glazing
Teacher: Heather Dziato
Subject: Sculpture
Title of Lesson: Glazing

Date: 4/30/15
Grade Level: 10-12
Lesson Length: 43 min

Overview of the Lesson

Lesson Summary:
Students will learn how what glaze is and the process to apply it.
Massachusetts Framework Standards:
Visual Arts 9-12:
1.9 Demonstrate the ability to create 2D and 3D works that show knowledge of unique
characteristics of particular media, materials, and tools
1.12 Describe and apply procedures to ensure safety and proper maintenance of the
workspace, materials, and tools
4.10 Demonstrate the ability to develop an idea through multiple stages, responding to
criticism and self-assessment
10.3 Continue the above and apply knowledge of cultural institutions to learning in the arts
and other disciplines (Science)
High School Chemistry Standards:
1.1 Identify and explain physical properties (e.g., density, melting point, boiling point,
conductivity, malleability) and chemical properties (e.g., the ability to form new substances).
Distinguish between chemical and physical changes
Lesson Objectives:
All students will be able to define glaze and its components and evenly apply it to their
bisque fired gargoyle heads.
Most students will be able to define glaze and its components, explain the process of
applying it, and evenly apply it to their bisque fired gargoyle heads.
Some students will be able to define glaze and its components, explain the process of
applying it, and evenly apply multiple colors of glaze to their bisque fired gargoyle heads.
Language Objectives:
Students will be able to use the tier 2 and 3 vocab words in writing in the What Ive
Learned column of their K-W-L.
Materials/Equipment to be Used in Teaching the Lesson:
Glaze, bisque fired gargoyle heads, paint brushes, PowerPoint, paper to cover tables,
examples of glazes fired

Springfield College
Glazing
Enduring Understandings:
Big Ideas:
o The students will understand that glaze is a glass coating that is applied to
bisque fired clay to change the surface quality.
Concepts:
o Glaze, Ceramics
Essential Questions:
Why would you want to glaze a ceramic piece?
Content
Factual Content:
Glaze is a glass-coating that has multiple functions when applied to bisque ware
Vocabulary:
Bisque ware, Green ware, Glaze, Glass, Protect, Decorate, Strengthen, Coat, Flux, Silica,
Alumina
Tier 1:
Glass, Protect
Tier 2:
Decorate, Strengthen, Coat
Tier 3:
Bisque ware, Green ware, Glaze, Flux, Silica, Alumina
Critical Thinking Skills (Reading, Writing, Speech, Listening)
The students will record notes while watching a demonstration.
The students will assess what they learned about applying glaze and apply it to their own
gargoyle heads.
The students will explain what glaze is and the process of applying it in writing.
Assessments (Performance Tasks/Tests/Quizzes Formative/Summative, Informal/Formal)
Formal Assessments:
Students will successfully apply glaze evenly to their gargoyle head.
Informal Assessments:
The students will explain what they already know, what they want to know, and what they have
learned about glazing ceramics.

Springfield College
Glazing

Action/Instructional Procedures
Procedures: For each procedure, list the teacher or student actions (with accommodations and
modifications) as well as the anticipated amount of time it will take to accomplish each task.

Anticipatory Set: (hook) 3 min

o Students will complete a K-W-L about the glazing process. (only K and W)

Step One: 3 min

o What do the students already know?
o Have students take notes in their journals
o Definition of glaze:
Ceramic glaze is a glassy substance that has been applied to a ceramic object, and
then fired to meld it with the ceramic. Ceramic glaze may be used for purely
decorative reasons, to strengthen the underlying ceramic, or to waterproof the
vessel. (http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-ceramic-glaze.htm)
o Explain what glaze is made of : silica, flux, alumina, colorant
Step Two: 10 min
o Demonstration
Explain that colors and appearance will change once fired
CHEMICAL REACTION properties change once heat is added
Explain how to properly apply
Use soft brush
Explain why 3 coats are mandatory ie: even colors, even flux, no streaks,
strength
Explain why only to apply it to bisque ware

(https://secondary-art.wikispaces.com/file/view/Glaze+Application++Demonstration.pdf)

Never put your fingers in or near your eyes, mouth, nose, or any open skin
areas, like cuts glaze dust may contain hazardous materials or irritants
Is there anything from the Want to know column that we havent covered yet?

Step Three: 20 min

o Students will pick their color glaze
o Students will glaze their own bisque-fired gargoyle heads

Closure: 7 min
o Clean up
o Students will complete the L section on their K-W-L

Homework/Extension Activities: Homework 7 due! Start on homework 8

Springfield College
Glazing

Reflection on Lesson
a. The Lesson Plan:
Too much information in 43 minutes break the lesson into two days
Make connections to science stronger

b. Teaching Skills:
Go over the information slower
Have the glaze organized and out for faster access to colors
Print out examples of the colors
Good demonstration and examples of fired pieces

c. The Students:
Students engaged interested in how the glaze can look so different before being
fired
Needed more time to decide on their colors

Springfield College
Glazing