Japanese Tea Cups

UNIT: ​ Ceramics ​ TEACHER: ​Mrs. Elizabeth Estes

GRADE LEVEL: ​7th​​ Grade ​ TIME: ​8-12 Class Periods

OBJECTIVES

● Students will learn about the art of Japanese ceramic tea cups.
● Students will discover the technique of clay modeling.
● Students will design their tea cup using symbols that have meaning.
● Students will build motor skills by creating a 3D piece of artwork..

SC VISUAL ART STANDARDS

1.3 Select and apply the most effective materials, ​techniques​, and processes to communicate his or
her experiences and ideas through the artworks.

1.4 Use art materials and tools in a safe and responsible manner.

3.2 Select and use ​subject matter​, symbols, ideas, and the ​elements and principles of design ​to
communicate meaning through his or her art-making.

2.4 Describe, both orally and in writing, the ways that his or her use of organizational principles and
expressive features evoke the ideas he or she intended to convey in a work of visual art.

MATERIALS
Clay 

Clay tools 
Blue and White glazes 

Pencils/Paper 
Markers 

Kiln 

Water spray bottles 

 

 
 
PROCEDURE
Preparation:​ Plan motivation presentation. Prepare Demo Supplies. Set out and 
count supplies in bins. Prepare clay and kiln for artwork. 

 
Motivation: ​Introduce the art of Japanese Ceramics. Students will learn about the 
history of Japanese art. Students will view and compare examples of ceramics in the blue 
and white glaze style. Students will look at details such as handles and cup detail. Students 
will also learn about the clay and process. As a class we will have a group tea cup 
ceremony in the Japanese style. 

 
Demonstration/Student Exploration​: S ​ tudents will start by drawing their tea cup 
design in their sketchbook. They will then design their glaze images on their drawing. 
Students will then make their tea cup shape by coiling a small bowl. Then slip and score on 
handles and stands. Students will carve their name into their cup and wait for fire. Students 
will then glaze their tea cup in white and blue glaze to reflect the Japanese style. Their tea 
cup should reflect their original plan drawn in their sketchbook.

VOCABULARY: ​Japanese, ceramics, clay, glaze, slip, score, porcelin, coil, mold, design, 
3 dimensional

 
CLEAN UP: ​Students will replace their bins of supplies on their shelf. Each student will 
put their piece in a sealed bag and on the shelf. Students will wash their hands at the sink. 
Tables that are cleaned up first will be instructed to line up first. (5 minutes)
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
EVALUATION
Assessment of Subject Matter: RUBRIC

Japanese Tea Cup

Name:____________________________________________________________
Period:__________________
Circle 1 to 5​: 5 meets the best and 1 did not meet

Did you coil your tea cup when your constructed it? 1 2 3 4 5

Did you construct a handle and a base on your teacup? 1 2 3 4 5

Did you fill the entire inside of your silhouette (no paper)?1 2 3 4 5

Did you slip and score the clay on your teacup? 1 2 3 4 5

Did you glaze at least 4 layers on your teacup? 1 2 3 4 5

Does your glaze design reflect your original sketch? 1 2 3 4 5

Did you always keep your workspace clean? 1 2 3 4 5

Did you put 100% effort into this project? 1 2 3 4 5

ADD UP POINTS!

Teacher Points___________/40 ​STUDENT

POINTS______________​/40

Discussion with students about the artwork/Show & Tell/Critique

Adjustments 

A student who needs special adjustments vary according to individual plans. With a need in 
change of adjustments students can use model magic clay to construct their tea cup and 
acrylic paint to create their design. Additional time and assistance if needed.