Greek Black Figure Pottery

Today we're borrowing a lesson from Kids Artists on black figure pottery from Ancient Greece. 

Check it out here and let me know what you think!

image: Amphora, Kidsartists.blogspot.com

materials:
black markers
paper grocery bag
scissors
map of Europe (optional)

get to work:
1. If you're working with kids ages 4-5 and up, you might want to begin by showing them the map of Europe and asking them if they can identify the continent. Then show them the country of Greece and color it in with a colored pencil.

2. Next explain the background of the project. I like to tell my students that a very very long time ago in Ancient Greece the Greeks made pottery to hold their supplies like water and wine. They also used pottery for many other reasons, like drinking cups. Then I show them a picture of an amphora, used for storing wine and dry goods, and ask them to practice the word (am-for-a). Next I show them a kylix (kai-licks), used for drinking, and ask them to practice the word again.

3. After this short  introduction I ask the children to tell me what they notice about the pottery and what they think other uses for Greek pottery may be. Then I ask them what they notice about the color of the pots and explain that at this time, the Greeks didn't know how to make pots very colorful, so they had two types "Black Figure" and "Red Figure" pottery, which is why today they only have black markers to work with. Pottery at this time also consisted of either figures that told a story or patterns for decoration. You might want to introduce them to a few common patterns from this time, found here.

4. Now we get to work. The children select either a kylix or an amphora shape to make. Help them draw the shape and cut it out.

5. Once the shape is cut out it's time to decorate!