Clay Class Unit Test #1

Students in Ms. Held's Clay Class will have their first Unit Test on Tuesday 11/8 (B day) and Wednesday 11/9 (G day). Below is the vocabulary, which is based on the concepts and techniques we are learning about and using during the first marking period. The test will consist of multiple choice and short answer questions. We will have a test review the class prior to Unit Test. Please email Ms. Held at lheld@ws.k12.ny.us if you have any questions.

CLAY CONCEPTS:

1. Four Stages of Clay:
• Plastic- wet and malleable; can be wedged, bent, twisted, and shaped.
• Leather hard- stiff, but not dry; able to cut it; add texture/details, and attach slabs together.
• Bone dry- clay has lost all visible moisture; it is very fragile in this stage and must be handled delicately; no MORE clay is to be added at this time.
• Bisque- clay has been fired in the kiln; clay is hard and durable; still to be handled with care.
2. Ceramic- The general term used to refer to clay projects that have been fired in the kiln.
3. Fuse- To connect two pieces of clay together and make the seams disappear.
4. Hollow-out- To remove excess clay from a solid form to allow air to circulate. This ensures even drying and the circulation of hot air when it’s being fired in the kiln.
5. Slab- A flat evenly rolled piece of clay.
6. Score- A pin tool or other pointy tool is used to make scratch marks or grooves onto the surface of clay pieces, which are to be attached to one another. 
7. Slip- A mixture of clay and water used as an adhesive on scored clay surfaces to help connect two separate clay pieces and ensure they don’t break apart during the drying or firing process.
8. Slump/Hump Mold- Using a plastic, metal or plaster mold to make a clay form. Typically a clay slab is rolled and either laid into the mold (slump) or on top of the mold (hump).
9. Wedging- Mixing and removing the air from plastic clay by kneading it, cutting it with wire, and slamming the pieces together.
10. Vent-hole- Small openings created in our clay forms to allow air to circulate inside the form. 

SURFACE DECORATION TECHNIQUES:

1. Carving- Creating a design on a clay surface by cutting away or removing clay using a variety of tools.
2. Impression/Stamp - A mark or indentation produced by pressing various objects or textures onto a leather hard clay surface.
3. Relief- A thin, flat form or image that is raised up from the surface of the clay.
4. Sculpture- Using your hands to shape a three-dimensional form.

ART CONCEPTS:

1. Decorative Ceramics- Objects made from clay that do not necessarily have practical use, but instead express an idea or offer visual appeal.
2. Functional Ceramics- Objects made from clay that have a practical use, such as a container to hold objects, a mug to drink out of, a plate or bowl to eat off, or tiles used to cover a bathroom floor.