Maria Martinez, Handbuilding with Clay

TITLE: Maria Martinez, Handbuilding with Clay                                                     

CURRICULAR CONTEXT: part of Social Studies, U.S. History, Southwest Pueblo

Indians

OBJECTIVES:

By the end of this activity:

1)  Students will be able to compare different styles of pottery from the

Southwest.

2)  Students will be able to identify world-famous potter Maria Martinez and her style of pottery.

CONCEPTS/INFORMATION:

• The Pardee Home Museum’s collection of Southwest Pottery.

• Different styles, colors, shapes, usages.

• Maria Martinez, world-famous potter from San Ildefonso, New Mexico.

INSTRUCTIONAL SEQUENCE:

1)  Develop students’ interest by asking whether they have ever made something out of clay, whether they know what a potter does and how he/she works.

2)  Introduce the Pardee Home Museum, and show photos of different Southwest pottery at the Pardee Home Museum.

3)  Distribute handouts and let students work in groups to analyze the different styles of pottery. Let them guess about usage, age and how the pots might have been collected and brought into the museum.

4)  After about 20-30 minutes, let students report back from their groups and share their answers.

5)  Introduce Maria Martinez; show a map of New Mexico to students.

6)  Ask students whether they have thought of pottery as an art, and explain why

Maria Martinez is seen as an artist. Finally, Students will create their own coil pot decorated with geometric designs