Revisiting Midterm Goal Setting
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Author Archives: Eda
Chemistry Midterm Self Assessment and Goal-Setting
Strengths and Weaknesses
Atomic Theory
Strengths: In the Atomic Theory unit I can easily calculate values such as atomic number, atomic mass and isotope from the element given. I can distinguish which element belongs to which family. I know and can interpret periodic table trends. I know order of orbital occupancy and can do electron configuration easily.
Weaknesses: When calculating ionization energy, I sometimes confuse periodic trends with each other and that’s why I sometimes make mistakes.
Bonding
Strengths: In the Bonding unit I can interpret what happens as 2 atoms get closer to each other. I know and can interpret electronegativity trends. I can determine whether a molecule is polar, nonpolar or ionic. I can apply bond dipoles. I can draw Lewis diagrams of atoms and ions. I can draw the VSEPR shapes of molecules, show their bond dipoles, and decide whether they are polar or nonpolar. I know intermolecular bonding and can interpret it in questions.
Weaknesses: When drawing Lewis diagrams of molecules, I sometimes mix up the locations of the molecules or draw the wrong amount of dots of complex molecules.
The Mole
Strengths: In the Mole unit I know the unitary rates and can use them frequently while solving questions. I know the order of molar conversions and can use correct unitary rates. I know the difference between molecular and molar mass and can calculate them easily. I know molar volume ratios and can easily use them to solve questions. I can easily calculate the percent composition of the given molecule. I can calculate molecular and imperial formulas without difficulty.
Weaknesses: In questions where different unitary rates are combined, I sometimes mix up the conversions and get wrong results.
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Goal Setting
3D Art Inquiry PRODUCT
Inquiry PRODUCT
Title: Spice box inspired by my cats
Material: Clay, food safe paint
Artist: Eda Inceoz
Date: June 14, 2024
I was initially going to make a mug and for the design I inspired by my first and at the time my only cat, Ollie. But then we adopted another cat, Minik, and now I had to make a project based on the design of my two cats. I thought a lot about the mug, but I didn’t like the designs I tried. Then I saw a special spice mixture at home that my mother brought from Turkey. The spice came in a plastic bag and did not have a container. That’s why I decided to make a spice box in my cats’ design for this special spice. While doing this project, I learned how the clay wheel works and how to use it. Because I made the reservoir of my spice box on a clay wheel. When working on a clay wheel, it is necessary to touch the clay very carefully and gently. Otherwise, the clay may be warped or not have the desired appearance.
Astronomy Wonder Project
How does long-term space travel cause biological changes in the people traveled?
In this research project blog, I will discuss about the some and the most important biological changes or distortions caused by space travel under topic headings according to different parts of the body and the different factors that cause these changes or distortions.
Topic headings:
- Skeletal Problem
- Radiation Problem
- Eye Problems
- Respiratory System Problems
- Endothelial Problems
Skeletal Problems
The human body’s ability to adapt to extreme conditions such as space travel has been observed for years. Skeletal changes that occur during space travel are better understood thanks to today’s technology. Due to less use of bones and muscles during space flight and changes in blood circulation in the body, the load on weight-bearing bones decreases and calcium and bone mineral loss occurs, leading to bone fragility. According to data from long-duration missions, 92% of astronauts lost 5% bone density in some bone areas. It has also been observed that high sodium intake during periods of inactivity causes osteoporosis. Another problem is that intervertebral discs lose their structure and function in space, and some measures must be taken to readjust to gravity during descent to Earth.
Muscle wasting also occurs in microgravity. Especially weight-bearing muscles are more affected. It has been observed that muscle loss in space is caused by shrinkage of muscle fibers and decreased protein synthesis. While significant changes were observed in the muscle structure of the leg muscles, the arm muscles were not affected by these changes. Because the muscles in the arm are not very heavy, there is no weight on the arm. Additionally, according to EMG records, a device that measures the communication of muscles with nerves, a 35-40% decrease in muscle activity was observed after 3-6 months in space.
-Below, there are demonstrations of how astronauts exercise to prevent muscle and bone loss.
-In the video below, a former astronaut Peggy Whitson explains the biological changes and adaptation process he experienced during space travel. The video talks about the negative effects of bone and muscle loss and the solutions to this problem. He also touches upon the problems he experienced when he returned to the world and the process of re-adaptation.
Radiation Problems
Exposure to space radiation is a hazard that hinders long-distance space travel. In the last few years, research on this subject has increased as astronauts on space missions are exposed to space radiation for longer periods of time. According to research, it has been observed that exposure to space radiation causes various diseases. It is known that exposure to space radiation causes cancer development and central nervous system diseases.
So what is this space radiation? Let’s take a closer look at it. Space radiation consists of galactic cosmic rays (GCR) and solar particle events (SPE). HZE ions, one of the components of GCR, produce secondary particles when they interact with protective materials such as spacecraft or spacesuits, and these secondary particles are the most hazardous to human health. SPE, on the other hand, contains large plasma clouds of low- to medium-energy protons that are occasionally produced by the Sun. Astronauts experience high doses of proton exposure due to SPE. These doses to which astronauts are exposed in space are significantly higher. It is very difficult to protect from this radiation because the very high energy of cosmic rays and the serious mass limitations in space flight prevent astronauts from being protected from radiation.
So how exactly does this radiation harm the human body? This radiation can cause damage to proteins, RNA and DNA. The damage caused by radiation depends on the type of radiation. Different types of radiation can be distinguished by linear energy transfer (LET), which is the amount of energy transferred to the target material during the passage of an ionizing particle. The human body has low LET radiation on Earth, and when exposed to a beam of high LET radiation in space and the beam passes through DNA strands, this high LET radiation causes more biological damage than low LET radiation. This is called “clustered DNA damage.” If this problem in DNA is not repaired, it can lead to mutations, chromosome changes, carcinogenesis (the process of turning normal cells into cancerous cells) and apoptotic cell death.
-The photo below shows galactic cosmic rays (GCR) and solar particle events (SPE).
Eye Problems
The eye is an organ that allows us to see through the coordinated work of its vascular, epithelial and neural components. The blood pressure of astronauts exposed to microgravity in space accumulates in their heads, which changes the fluid distribution pattern in the body. In space, the blood flow and functioning of the eye are affected because the fluids in the body are distributed in different ways due to the non-gravity environment. Over time, these changes can have permanent effects on the anatomy and function of the eye. These effects are:
– Due to the effect of microgravity, intracranial pressure increases, which can lead to swelling and bending of the optic nerve sheath or even optic nerve protrusion.
– Near vision impairment due to long-term effects of microgravity. Visual impairments include hyperopic deviation, posterior eye pillar flattening, and choroidal folding.
The illustration below shows the effect of microgravity on fluid distribution in the body.
Respiratory System Problems
Microgravity affects different organs of the body in different ways, as well as the respiratory system. In space, astronauts’ breathing rate increases slightly. Because the homogeneous blood in the lung vessels is redistributed. The amount of air the lungs take in and give out decreases. Although the reason for this is not known exactly, we can say that it is for the body to work more efficiently in space. Additionally, lung functions such as vital capacity (VC) and forced vitality capacity (FVC) decrease in space, but these changes are usually short-lived and return to normal within a few months.
Endothelial Problems
The endothelium consists of a single layer of cells lining the inner surface of blood and lymph vessels. These cells ensure that blood vessels remain healthy and the body is in balance. However, if these cells are not healthy, it causes cardiovascular diseases.
In zero-gravity environments, the number of circulating endothelial cells increases. Responses of endothelial cells to the non-gravity environment have been observed, such as an increase in the cells’ ability to migrate and proliferate, and changes in the production of some proteins.
Additionally, type H cells, a newly discovered type of endothelial cell, play an important role in bone formation. The decrease in these cells can cause bone loss as we age. Understanding how these cells work could open new avenues for treating bone diseases.
Rube Goldberg Project
Melting Chocolate with Energy Transfers Machine
Video Link: https://youtu.be/kDcK8vbwsU0
Step A- The machine starts with pushing the ball through the inclined mechanism.
Step B- The ball starts the hair dryer by hitting the button of the socket to which the hair dryer is connected.
Step C- The air blown by the hair dryer pushes another ball.
Step D- The ball falls on button of another socket to which the kettle is connected.
Step E- The kettle heats up and the hot water vapour releases as the water heats up melts the chocolate on the plate above the kettle.
Types of Energy
- Mechanical Energy: The energy of moving object.
- Gravitational Energy: The energy that an object has when it is above a surface.
- Electrical Energy: The energy of moving electrons.
- Thermal Energy: The energy of the particles inside an object.
- Chemical Energy: The form of energy stored in matter.
Energy Transformations
- Between Steps A and B, the ball travels on an inclined path from a higher place to a lower place. Here, gravitational energy is transformed into mechanical energy.
- Between Steps B and C, when the ball falling from a height hits the button connected to the hair dryer, the hair dryer works and the air coming out of the hair dryer sets the ball in motion, transforming the electrical energy into mechanical energy.
- Between Steps C and D, the ball moves with the air coming out of the hair dryer and falls from a high place to a lower place, where gravitational energy is transformed into mechanical energy.
- Between Steps D and E, when the falling ball hits the button to which the kettle is connected, the kettle turns on and heats up, transforming electrical energy into thermal energy.
- In step E, the heated water vapour in the kettle rises and melts the chocolate on the plate above the kettle, transforming thermal energy into chemical energy.
Core Competency Self-Assessment
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PE Core-Competencies Self-Assessment
Midterm Self Assessment and Goal-Setting
Strengths and Weaknesses in Content paragraph
If I start with our first unit, the Introduction unit, I can say that I am strong in collecting and analyzing data and drawing data tables. Because I love analytics and think I’m good at it. My weaknesses may be that I structure the hypothesis sentence a little strangely and do not give enough detail in the conclusion. I think the reason why I can’t form the hypothesis properly is that I think in Turkish and try to translate it into English in my mind, so the sentences are a bit strange and I forget to add details in the conclusion section because I don’t think in detail. In the biology unit, I think I am strength in crossing Punnet squares, mutation, abiotic and biotic interactions, symbiotic relationships, ecology and adaptation. Because I understood these topics very well in the class and since I had learned some of them before, they did not seem difficult to me. The part where I thought I was weak was the speciation part. I didn’t fully understand Darwin’s Finches’ experiment. Because I couldn’t concentrate in the class that day and I forgot to go over it later, and that’s why that topic didn’t sit well in my mind. In the chemistry unit, I think my strengths are drawing both Bohr and Lewis diagrams, distinguishing atoms and ions, interactions of ionic and covalent compounds, naming compounds and balancing chemical reactions. Because, just like the subjects in biology, I understood these subjects very well in the classroom and since I had learned some of them before, they did not seem difficult to me. I can say that my weakness in the chemistry unit is not being able to memorize and use all the patterns in the periodic table. It would be easier to do the calculations and draw the Bohr and Lewis diagrams if I used all the patterns.
3D Art 10
Week#, Date, Title
Minimum of 3 photos. Additional media like video or audio is optional.
Vocabulary word that pertains to the work done in this subject this week, including a definition, and detail of how it pertains to the work done.
Reflection that includes a strength, stretch and goal in relation to one of the core competencies.
Week 2, February 8, Elements and Principles of Art Skill Builder
Core Competency: CRITICAL THINKING
Vocabulary word: ELEMENTS AND PRINCIPLES OF ART
This week I started and finished doing my Elements and Principles of Art skill builder paper. I cut pieces from the magazines the size of the rectangle in my skill builder and pasted the cut pieces onto my skill builder. When choosing the pieces, I showed my critical thinking by thinking about which piece would suit which elements and principles of art.
ELEMENTS AND PRINCIPLES OF ART – The elements of art are the visual tools that the artist uses to create a composition. These are line, shape, color, value, form, texture, and space. The principles of art represent how the artist uses the elements of art to create an effect and to help convey the artist’s intent.
Week 3, February 12, Life on Land Research
Pangolins are the only mammals wholly-covered in scales and they use those scales to protect themselves from predators in the wild. They generally live in areas with tropical trees and large shrubs, as well as in semi-arid desert regions. This creature generally survives by eating ants and termites. Pangolins are in high demand in countries such as China and Vietnam, where their meat is considered a delicacy and their scales are used in traditional medicine and folk remedies. Although all pangolins are protected under national and international laws, pangolins are endangered due to the growing illegal trade in pangolins.
Wildlife crime is the biggest threat to the pangolin and that’s why we can join the Stop Wildlife Crime campaign and help to protect this threatened species. We can also help to protect these threatened species by not taking or using medications containing pangolin scales.
Week 3, February 15, Life on Land Piñata Process
Core Competency: CREATIVE THINKING
Vocabulary word: Piñata
I started this week with research for the Life on Land Pinata project. I did some research on Pangolins, a threatened species. In this research, I presented information about why Pangolins are under threat and tried to find a solution to this threat. After researching, I took a printout of Pangolin image and drew the shape of the Pangolin on another piece of paper. I showed my creative thinking by cutting the Pangolin’s shape into separate pieces to make the Pangolin look 3D.
Piñata – A Symbol of Joy and Celebration, artists choose piñatas to celebrate cultural heritage and pay homage to family histories, address contemporary social issues, and reminisce on personal memories. Piñatas, in their widely diverse forms, are present in various cultures around the world.
Week 4, February 22, Life on Land Piñata Process
Core Competency: CREATIVE THINKING
Vocabulary word: Armature
I started this week by cutting cardboard in the same shape as the molds of my endangered animal, the Pangolin, last week. After cutting the cardboard, I glued the cardboard together. While gluing the cardboards together to get a 3D image, I rolled the aluminum foils, made taps and glued them between my cardboards.
One of the other things I did this week was to make a mini book out of a single piece of paper, draw a mouse out of numbers and give the mouse a story. Here, I showed my creative thinking by thinking of different scenarios in my mind and drawing these scenarios on paper while giving a story to my mouse.
The last thing I did this week was to make a 3D 3D version of the turkey, the animal on the card I chose by chance, with play dough.
Armature – A skeleton or framework used by an artist to support a figure being modeled in materials.
Week 5, February 29, Life on Land Piñata Process
Core Competency: CREATIVE THINKING
Vocabulary word: Paper Mache
I started the week by covering my armature with paper mache, which I finished making last week, to which I glued aluminum foil. First, I prepared a sticky mixture from flour and water. After dipping the newspapers I cut into strips into this adhesive mixture, I covered my armature by gluing it on top of my armature.
Another thing I did this week was the Pangolin, which is under threat, and I created a story in a mini skit where I folded the paper and divided it into 4 pieces. I showed my creative thinking by directing the story according to my imagination.
The last thing I did this week was to do an activity using the sense of touch, one of our 5 main senses. In this activity, my partner drew a shape on my back with her finger and I tried to draw the same shape on paper. This activity increased the sensitivity and sensitivity to my touching sense.
Paper Mache – Made up of pieces of paper or pulp that are often reinforced with cloth or other materials and bound together with an adhesive paste.
Week 6, March 4, Inquiry Term-Long Project (Purpose)
I want to make a clay mug for the Inquiry Term-Long Project. This mug will feature a clay mini replica of my own cat inside an inward groove in the mug like the first three photos I provided above. I plan to make the shape and design of the mug like the last photo I provided. I may use darker tones in terms of colour, but the pattern will be as in the last photo.
The reason why I wanted to make such a mug in this project is that I wanted my cat to keep a souvenir for me. Unfortunately, my cat will not live very long and by making this mug, I want to use the mug and always remember him. Others have made various mugs from clay before. As you can see from the first 3 photos I provided above, they had made many mugs similar to the one I wanted to make. Mugs were made from various animals such as foxes, geese and cats in various designs such as curved, wide at the bottom, narrowing towards the top, short and wide.
The challenge when making the mug of the style I want is that the place where I made the dent curves into the mug. This may cause the mug to look crooked when looking inside. To solve this problem I can increase the thickness of the mug so that the indentation I make in the mug does not distort the shape of the inside of the mug. Since I will make this indentation in the middle of the mug, I can thin the thickness of the mug towards the top. Thus, I can drink something from the mug without any difficulty.
Week 6, March 7, Life on Land Piñata Process
Core Competency: CREATIVE THINKING
Vocabulary word: Reciprocity
This week, to support and strengthen my armature, I glued small thin rods extending from the inside of my armature to its legs. Then, I wrote the special features of the animal I chose, the pangolin, on a piece of paper and placed it inside my piñata. Then I wrote on a ribbon what threatened this animal and glued this ribbon to the bottom of my armature. Then I continued paper called some more. Another thing I did this week was draw the before and after of an object. I showed my creative thinking by drawing the before and after of a flower in a pot. The last thing I did this week was to make a mini book out of paper and play a word writing game consisting of a combination of two images.
Reciprocity – The practice of exchanging things with others for mutual benefit.
Week 7, March 14, Life on Land Piñata Process
Core Competency: CRITICAL THINKING
Vocabulary word: Paper clay
I started this week by making paper clay to cover my armature. To make paper caly, I cut the newspapers into thin strips, dipped them in water, waited for them to melt a little, then blended the papers I took from the water with some water. I filtered the blended mixture using a strainer. Finally, I added some glue and joint compound to my mixture and mixed it and obtained my paper clay. I covered every part of my armature carefully and without any gaps with this paper clay and left it to dry. Another thing I did this week was guess what an artist statement includes and practice the artist statement. Everyone in the class was given a paragraph and information about an artwork, and we practiced before writing our own artist statement for the Life on Land project.
Paper clay – Adding paper pulp and other fibers to your clay body can make things you never thought possible with clay totally doable. This is why many sculptors make paper clay sculpture. Paper clay helps reduce shrinkage in the drying stage and strengthen joints, allowing wet and dry pieces to be joined.
Week 8, April 4, Life on Land Piñata Process
Core Competency: CREATIVE THINKING
Vocabulary word: Joint compound
I started the week by coating my paper clay-covered piñata, which I left to dry before the spring break, with joint compound. Using joint compound, I added some fullness to my pinata animal’s legs and added eyes. I left it to dry and the next day I noticed that there were cracks in some parts of my piñata that I had covered with joint compound, so I covered the cracked areas with joint compound again.We started the clay unit this week. Teachers introduced clay and showed a demo. We were also informed about the locations of the materials we would use throughout this clay unit. Another thing he did this week was that we chose a random piece of art from a random magazine, found the elements and principles of art in this art, and wrote down our questions about this art. We repeated this activity once again on another day, but this time with a smaller group. The last thing I did this week was read the poem given to my group and draw a picture depicting this poem. While drawing this picture, I used creative thinking by generating ideas as a group and thinking of figures that would describe the poem.
Joint compound – Joint compound is a white powder of primarily gypsum dust mixed with water to form a paste the consistency of cake frosting, which is spread onto drywall and sanded when dry to create a seamless base for paint on walls and ceilings.
Week 9, April 11, Life on Land Piñata Process
Core Competency: CREATIVE THINKING
Vocabulary word: Color Theory
I started the week by learning color theory. We get color by mixing two or more colors. For example, if we mix blue and yellow, we get yellow, and if we mix white and pink, we get pink. Another thing I did this week was what a poem brought to my mind and we created art depicting this poem with play-dough. This week I smoothed the Pangolin, which I coated with joint compound last week and left to dry. I removed the bumps on it with a wet sponge. Then, using what I learned from color theory, I mixed brown and black and painted the Pangolin a dark brown. To create the pangolin’s scales, I drew patterns with a pencil and showed my creative thinking here.
Color theory – Color theory, or more specifically traditional color theory, is the historical body of knowledge describing the behavior of colors, namely in color mixing, color contrast effects, color harmony, color schemes and color symbolism. Modern color theory is generally referred to as Color science.
Week 10, April 18, Brush Slug Process
Core Competency: CREATIVE THINKING
Vocabulary word: Thumbnail
I started the week by painting the scales of my Life on Land animal, the pangolin, which is the final stage of my pangolin project. This was the final phase of my Life on Land Piniata project and thus I completed my Pangolin piniata. Then I started the new project, brush slug. For this, I took some clay and first kneaded it thoroughly to remove the air in the clay, and then I rolled out the clay to equal thickness with the help of a rolling pin and two wooden sticks. Afterwards, I cut the flat clay into the size I wanted and softened the sharp edges with a sponge. Afterwards, I shaped the parts where the brushes would go with the help of a wooden spoon. Finally, I showed my creative thinking by adding clay flowers and bushes to my brush slug to reflect the tropical climate where my Life on Land animal, Pangolin lives, and left my brush slug to dry. Afterwards, as a class, we took a tour of the art gallery to see the art that everyone had made so far and evaluated two works of art with a partner. The last thing I did this week was I made a thumbnail for the next project, Animal Decal.
Thumbnail – A thumbnail is a very rough draft of your sketch. It is a smaller, simplified version, usually made on draft paper. It contains only the key shapes and objects of your sketch and leaves out the details. It also shows the main color areas and how different colors work together.
Life on Land PRODUCT (Pinata)
Pangolin
April 2024
Paper Mache & Mixed Media
Eda Inceoz
Pangolins are the only mammals wholly covered in scales and they use those scales to protect themselves from predators in the wild. Pangolins are under threat due to the increasing illegal pangolin trade in China and Vietnam where their scales are used in traditional medicine and folk remedies, although all pangolins are protected by national and international laws.
The materials I used to create this Piñata were cardboard, aluminium foil, paper mache, paper clay, plaster, ribbon and acrylic paint. To make the pangolin look like it was walking freely in its nature, I glued some of its legs leaning forward and some of its legs leaning back. To emphasize the unique scales of the pangolin, I drew its beautiful scales with acrylic paint.
Week 11, April 25, Brush Slug Process
Core Competency: CREATIVE THINKING
Vocabulary word: Glaze
We started this week with a class activity to start the day more creatively. First, we drew whatever we had in mind for a certain period of time on a piece of paper that we divided into four, then we completed the other 3 sections by increasing this time at each level. This week I drew thumbnails for the design of my brush slug that I left to dry last week. Then, I used the design that I liked among them in the design of my brush slug. The last thing I did this week was to start making the wall decor that I finished thumbnailing last week. First, I rolled out the clay with the help of a rolling pin and two equal-thick boards, making it even in all areas. Then, using a round cap, I cut a circle the size of my palm from the rug. Afterwards, I drew the shapes of the upper parts on the clay that I had drawn on the drawing, and then I cut them and added them to the circle. Finally, I softened the sharp edges with a wet sponge and left it to dry. After it dried, I started painting it with acrylic paint.
Glaze – In painting a glaze is a transparent layer of paint brushed over a dried underlayer. Generally associated with oil painting, glazes can also be applied on top of each other to create a feeling of depth and luminosity in the work, also protecting the paint and adding richness to the colour.
Week 12, May 2, Wall Decoration Process
Core Competency: CRITICAL THINKING
Vocabulary word: Acrylic medium
This week, I finished the painting process of my brush slug, which I started painting last week, by using Elements and Principles of Art with the help of my teachers and adding shading and details. Then I started the Wall Decoration project. First, I went on a design exploration by drawing 4 thumbnails. After I knead the clay thoroughly and I used a round bowl as a mold and cut the clay to the size I wanted. Then I drilled a hole at the top so it could hang on the wall. On top of it, I cut the shape of the Pangol’s arm and head from clay and glued it on this round base. Then, I softened the sharp edges with a wet sponge and left it to dry. The next day, I started painting my dried Pangolin figured Wall Decoration with acrylic paint and let it dry. The next day, I drew the Pangolin’s scales on the dried paint with a white pencil and painted the scales again with acrylic paint. The next day I drew the Pangolin’s face and here I had to decide what to draw the face with because depending on the material I used, it would not flow after the acrylic medium was placed on it. I chose to use a permanent marker and thus showed my critical thinking. Finally, I covered it with acrylic midium. Thus, I finished my Wall Decoration project this week.
Acrylic Medium – An acrylic painting medium is a substance that is added to acrylic paint to change one or more of its properties. Mediums adjust how acrylic paint performs, feels and looks. They can be used to prepare your canvas, change texture, adjust flow, alter the working properties of your paint, or protect your final painting.
Week 13, May 9, Character Mug Process
Core Competency: CREATIVE THINKING
Vocabulary word: Underglaze
I started this week by drawing 4 thumbnails for my new project, the character mug. I showed my creative thinking while designing the 4 thumbnails I drew. As part of the project, I gave emotions to my mugs while drawing them. Another thing I did this week was to write a short story in the mini booklet I made by folding paper and draw pictures for this story. I had a one-day absence this week due to illness, so I couldn’t do much this week.
Underglaze – Underglaze is a method of decorating pottery in which painted decoration is applied to the surface before it is covered with a transparent ceramic glaze and fired in a kiln. Underglazes are made from pigments derived from oxides.
Week 14, May 16, Character Mug Process
Core Competency: CRITICAL THINKING
Vocabulary word: Critique Sandwich
This week, I chose one of my character mugs that I finished drawing last week and started the clay phase. I chose the cat mug in the bottom left. After kneading the clay and rolling it out with the help of a rolling pin, I cut out the pieces of my mug using a large, small, rectangular and a round mold and assembled these bars. Then, I made two eyes, a nose and a mouth from clay for my mug’s face. When I was drawing the mouth part design, it wasn’t what I imagined, so I showed my critical thinking by deciding to make the mouth part with paint instead of clay. After adding the nose and eyes to the top of my mug, I left it to dry. Another thing I made this week was critique sandwich. In Critique sandwich, I strengthened my ability to comment on art by commenting on a work of art, which elements and principles of art were used, what they were used for, and what was missing.
Critique Sandwich – Many business professionals tout the “sandwich approach” or “hamburger method” as a valuable technique for tackling challenging conversations. In this tactic, a manager offers a piece of negative feedback “sandwiched” between two positive ones, thus easing the blow of the critique.
Week 15, May 23, Character Mug Process
Core Competency: CRITICAL THINKING
Vocabulary word: Slip
I started this week by drawing the mouth of my character mug, which I left to dry in bisque fire last week. As I wrote in last week’s blog, I decided to make my character mug’s mouth by drawing. First, I drew the mouth shape as I wanted on a piece of paper and cut it out. Using this shape I cut as a template, I drew the mouth of my character mug. Then I started painting my character mug. There was no paint ready in the color I wanted, so I mixed some slip and black food safe paint to obtain a gray in the desired tone. I painted the base of my character mug with this food safe paint I obtained. Another thing I made this week was critique sandwich. I commented on the elements and principles of art on an art work that Ms Vittie opened on the screen and commented on how the art work could be further developed. I made another critique sandwich this week. I made the same comments again on an art work of one of my classmates.
Slip – Slip is small bits of dry clay mixed with water to create a thick, creamy consistency.
Week 16, May 30, Character Mug Process
Core Competency: CRITICAL THINKING
Vocabulary word: Bisque firing
This week I completed my character mug project by completing the underglaze and glaze stages of my character mug. I started by painting all over the mug, the base of which I painted with food safe paint last week. First, I painted the mug’s eyes black and her nose peach. After the pupils were dry, I painted the rest of the eye green. Then I thought about what color to paint the mouth part because I had two different color ideas in my mind. I showed my critical thinking here and painted the mouth black so that it would not disrupt the color integrity. I painted the mouth part carefully because the teeth were very detailed and I didn’t want to overdo it. Then, using PEAD, I added line details to the handle of the cup so that it looked like a cat’s tail. Afterwards, I drew the patterns on the cat’s forehead on my mug, first with a pencil and then with paint. And so I finished the underglaze stage and gave my mug to bisque fire once again.
Bisque firing – Bisque firing is the process to transform unfired bone-dry clay from its fragile state to a porous and durable state (called ceramic) for the second stage of firing.
Week 17, June 5, Character Mug Process
Core Competency: CREATIVE THINKING
Vocabulary word: Bone dry
I started this week by starting my inquiry project. I’m making a spice box for my Inqury project. This spice box will have a chamber and a lid. I will make my little cat’s design on the lid and my big cat’s design on the chamber part. Here I showed my creative thinking while thinking of design ideas. I started my project by making the chamber part on a clay wheel. After I did it, I let it dry. After it dries, I will scrape off the excess underneath. Then, I applied the glaze phase to my character mug, which I left in the bisque fire for the second time last week. First I waxed the bottom part, then I dipped my mug in glaze and sent it to the glaze fire. After my mug came out of glaze fire, I completed my character mug project. Another and last thing I made this week was critique sandwiches. I evaluated the artworks of my two classmates.
Bone dry – Bone dry (adjective) is a term used to describe and identify greenware pottery that has dried as much as possible before it has gone through its first firing (the bisque firing). When held, bone dry greenware feels to be at room temperature, not cool to the touch.
Week 18, June 13, Inquiry Project Process
Core Competency: CREATIVE THINKING
Vocabulary word: Kiln
I started this week by making the lid and spoon of the spice box from clay, which I started by making the bottom part of last week. I made a circle out of clay for the lid and made a round protrusion out of clay underneath the lid to keep it stable. I made a handle on the lid that was large and shaped enough to hold the spoon. Then I started making the spoon. For the spoon, I first shaped the clay into an oval shape, then crushed the tip with a nut and obtained the spoon shape. I then sent it all to bisque fire and after it dried I started painting. I showed my creative thinking while designing the spice box. I said I would make the spice box in the color of my cats. I made the design of the spoon blue and matched it with the eye color of my little cat, and I painted the lid of the spice box in the colours of my little cat. I painted the reservoir of the spice box in my big cat’s colors. Orange eye color, gray fur color. Finally, I will put them all in the bisque fire again and then I will dip them in glaze and give them to the glaze fire and I will have finished my inquiry project. However, I don’t know when I can do these because the clay is broken. We’ll see…
Kiln – A kiln is a special kind of oven for firing things like pottery and bricks. A ceramic artist might use a kiln once a week to fire the bowls she’s made from clay. Some kilns look more like furnaces than ovens, and they reach temperatures far beyond regular household ovens.
ELA 10 Core Competencies Self-Assessment
