Ceramics I project introduction--students will learn about the origin of the piggy bank and recreate it in their own subject matter and style, using multiple hand-built ceramic techniques.

1. Please get out your
sketchbooks

2. Piggy Bank Project
Ceramics I

3. As a child we often learned to save
our pennies in a piggy bank. But
where did piggy banks come from
and why are they pigs?

4. Pigs are a very unique animal that
serve various functions in our
culture. With this project, I want
you to create your own original
version of a piggy bank.

5. To help get you started…
Please write these questions down in your
sketchbook
 1. What geographical area (state, country,
area) did the first piggy banks come from?

6. To help get you started…
 2. When did piggy banks originate?

7. To help get you started…
 3. What roles do pigs play in our society?

8. To help get you started…
 4. How is the word “pig” used
metaphorically?

9.  5. Find 3 pictures of piggy banks on the
internet. What materials are piggy banks
made from?

10.  6. Next, brainstorm 3 ideas of piggy banks
for your project. I will provide you the plastic
plugs for the bottom of your bank.
Remember that clay shrinks and your coin
slot on the bank should be slightly larger
than you want them to be after firing.

11. Include in your sketches
 How will you build your bank?
 Slab, pinch, or coil (or combinations of different
building methods)
 How will you change your bank to look
different than the “traditional” piggy bank?
 What glazes do you want to use? Color your
sketches to illustrate your proposed finished
product