A Learning Activity is a strategy a teacher chooses to actively
engage students in learning a concept or skill using a digital tool/resource.
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Phase:
During/Explore/Explain
Activity:
Students will produce a glass dish that has been made by fusing pieces of glass together. Once the glass is fused it will be fired a second time in a mold to give it the shape of a dish. The lesson is conducted in the following steps.
Students will learn how a kiln works. Electricity passes through elements in a kiln creating heat from electrical energy. The controller of the kiln determines the rate of heat and the period of time the heat is produced. Then it controls the cool down in a manner that allows energy to be stored in an object such as glass without breaking it through excessive energy reduction.
Next students will learn how glass fusing works by watching the digital resource, an Introduction To Glass Fusing. Once students have the concept of glass fusing we will begin our activity.
Students will then learn about the dangers of cut glass. Glass is cut by scoring lines in the top of the glass and applying pressure to scored line. This allows a controlled release of the energy stored in the glass to break the glass in a manner that creates pieces that are useful. Handling the glass with extreme care will be emphasized to prevent incidents for an individual student or their classmates.
Stress the importance of wearing goggles, using tools correctly, and following lab safety precautions. The instructor may cut pieces of glass ahead of time; students will not be required to do this.
Once the students understand the need for safety they will assemble pieces of glass to make a finished product. Students will be given a variety of one by four-inch pieces of colored glass that can be arranged to make a pattern. When the pattern is complete they will glue a solid piece of four by four-inch clear glass to the top. Lastly, they will add half inch pieces of colored glass squares to make a design on the top layer.
Once these are complete the pieces will be transferred to the kiln where they will be full fused, which is a process that will melt all three layers into a single piece.
Lastly, the pieces will be placed in a slightly curved glass mold and fired a second time. This firing will slump the glass to the mold giving it the shape of a dish.
Assessment Strategies:
Once the pieces are completed, students will write a short report, comparing their work with others regarding the differences that are made in the elements of design. They will also discuss the change in the appearance of the piece following the energy that was applied in the form of heat. Lastly, they will discuss, as a class, their individual experience with the glass and tools and how safe work practices allowed them to handle the glass in a manner that kept them safe.
Advanced Preparation:
In preparation for the activity, the instructor should assemble the following supplies:
A collection of one by four-inch pieces of colored glass must be cut.
Each student will need a four-by-four-inch piece of clear fusible glass.
A collection of one half inch square chips will be needed for students to use to make surface decorations on the top.
Chinet dinnerware paper plates for each student to work on.
Elmer’s Clear glue for each student.
Each student will need goggles and a review of lab safety precautions. *A kiln is required for this activity.*