Beaker (GU) Artist Unknown		Chia Artist Unknown		Three-Legged Cauldron (Ding) Artist Unknown
Ritual Wine Cup (footed) Artist Unknown		Censer Artist Unknown

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• Print the images listed above onto overhead transparencies.
• Borrow books from the library that show images and written descriptions of ritual vessels.

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Session One:
1. Based on the History-Social Science unit currently being studied, begin a discussion with the students about different rituals used in Ancient Civilizations, Medieval, and/or Early Modern Times: What were the important rituals for this culture? What objects were used during these rituals? Why were these rituals important to this culture?

2. Show the students the transparency images. Use the discussion questions to start a conversation about ritual vessels.

3. Explain to the students that they will be creating ritual vessels for a particular culture during that time in history. Hand out Worksheet #1 to each student. Using Worksheet #1, the students will complete research (using books and/or the Internet) on historical ritual vessels. This worksheet can be completed in class or as a homework assignment.

Session Two:
1. Ask students to share their research findings. If students have images of ritual vessels, have them share these images with their classmates.

2. Hand out Worksheet #2 to each student. Go over the building techniques, texture descriptions, and accessories for ritual vessels. Ask the students to identify these items in the transparency images.

3. Ask the students to create a preliminary sketch of their ritual vessel, making note of the techniques, textures, and decorations they intend to employ. Have books available for students to use and look at for ideas.

4. Students can complete their preliminary sketches during class time or as homework.

Session Three:
1. Provide students will all of the necessary art supplies (clay, carving tools, and molds) to create their ritual vessel.

2. Have the students create their ritual vessels.

3. Once the vessels have dried, students can create an exhibition displaying their artworks.

Extensions
English-Language Arts: Students can write descriptions of their vessels providing evidence for using particular decorations/images and how they relate to the represented cultures.

English-Language Arts: Students can write research reports comparing ritual vessels from different time periods/cultures.

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• Clay can be purchased at Freeform Clay Supply in National City, CA (1912 Cleveland Avenue; 619.477.1004). In addition to discounted rates for educators, they are extremely helpful in answering all your questions. You can get a 50-pound box of red clay for approximately seven dollars.

• Affordable clay modeling tools can be found at Dickblick.com. Seven tools with 14 unique edges can be purchased for less than two dollars.

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CA Content Standards
Sixth Grade Visual Arts:
1.1 Identify and describe all the elements of art found in selected works of art (e.g., color, shape/form, line, texture, space, value).

1.2 Discuss works of art as to theme, genre, style, idea, and differences in media.

1.4 Describe how balance is effectively used in a work of art (e.g., symmetrical, asymmetrical, radial).

3.1 Research and discuss the role of the visual arts in selected periods of history, using a variety of resources (both print and electronic).

3.3 Compare, in oral or written form, representative images or designs from at least two selected cultures.

4.1 Construct and describe plausible interpretations of what they perceive in works of art.

5.3 Create artwork containing visual metaphors that express the traditions and myths of selected cultures.

Seventh Grade Visual Arts:
1.1 Describe the environment and selected works of art, using the elements of art and the principles of design.

3.1 Research and describe how art reflects cultural values in various traditions throughout the world.

3.2 Compare and contrast works of art from various periods, styles, and cultures and explain how those works reflect the society in which they were made.

Sixth Grade History-Social Science:
6.4 Students analyze the geographic, political, economic, religious, and social structures of the early civilizations of Ancient Greece.

6.6 Students analyze the geographic, political, economic, religious, and social structures of the early civilizations of China.

6.7 Students analyze the geographic, political, economic, religious, and social structures during the development of Rome.

Seventh Grade History-Social Science:
7.3 Students analyze the geographic, political, economic, religious, and social structures of the civilizations of China in the Middle Ages.

7.5 Students analyze the geographic, political, economic, religious, and social structures of the civilizations of Medieval Japan.

Sixth Grade English-Language Arts:
2.1 Identify the structural features of popular media (e.g., newspapers, magazines, online information) and use the features to obtain information.

2.2 Write expository compositions (e.g., description, explanation, comparison and contrast, problem and solution).

2.3 Write research reports.

Seventh Grade English-Language Arts:
2.1 Understand and analyze the differences in structure and purpose between various categories of informational materials (e.g., textbooks, newspapers, instructional manuals, signs).

2.3 Write research reports.

2.5 Write summaries of reading materials.

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Teachers
Technique:
Barford, George. Clay in the Classroom. Worcester, MA: Davis Publications, 1963.

Cosentino, Peter. The Encyclopedia of Pottery Techniques. Philadelphia, PA: Running Press, 1990.

History:
Ferrier, R.W. The Arts of Persia. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 1989.

Kuwayama, George. Ancient Ritual Bronzes of China. Los Angeles: Far Eastern Council of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 1976.

Porada, Edith. The Art of Ancient Iran: Pre-Islamic Cultures. New York: Crown Publishers, 1965.

Swarup, Shanti. The Arts and Crafts of India and Pakistan; a Pictorial Survey of Dancing, Music, Painting, Sculpture, Architecture, Art-Crafts and Ritual Decorations from the Earliest Times to the Present Day. Taraporevala’s Treasure House of Books, 1957.

J. Paul Getty Museum
Images and descriptions of 16 ritual vessels dating from 2300 B.C. to 1550 A.D.

Metropolitan Museum of Art
Images and descriptions of 49 objects of Asian Art, ranging from Indian to Japan and including both ritual and utilitarian objects.

Michael C. Carlos Museum, Emory University
Image and description of an 15th/16th century South American ritual watering vessel from the Inca civilization.

Worcester Art Museum
Image and description of a ritual wine vessel from the Chinese Shang dynasty.

Los Angeles County Museum of Art
Image and description of a ritual food cauldron from the Chinese Shanxi dynasty, dating from 500-450 B.C.

Smithsonian Institution
A short description of and bibliographical resource for Chinese bronze objects.

Smithsonian Institution
A short description of and bibliographical resource for Chinese ceramic objects.

Students
Glubok, Shirley. The Art of China. New York: Macmillan, 1973.

Glubok, Shirley. The Art of Ancient Greece. New York: Atheneum, 1963.

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