I don't know how this would go over with your students, but I photocopy
images of pots from history (full size on 81/2 x 11) and teach my students
how to critique them. I have a form they fill out. Questions are: Describe
the form; describe the surface; how do you imagine that this piece was
constructed?; what elements and principles do you see, where and how were
they used?; how might this piece inspire your own future work? I give this
as homework throughout the semester. I must say, they all can discuss
ceramic pieces using art vocabulary now. I think they are more aware of the
connection between what they are doing and what potters have done through
the centuries. This could be something they do in the last days, but I
would definitely count it in their grade or they won't take it seriously.
By the way, I bought the best book with great images and it's currently on
sale in the Edward Hamilton, Bookseller offering I received through the
mail. It's called World Ceramics by Munsterberg. Besides the images, it is
easy to read and makes the history of ceramics easy to understand and
process.
Marian
