- Definition
Ceramics are objects like pots or sculptures made from clay that have been baked at high temperatures to make them hard and permanent. It also refers to the art of making these clay objects.
A coffee mug is a ceramic object because it is made from clay and fired to make it hard and hold liquid.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: Making ceramics is like playing with modeling clay, but then you bake it in a special hot oven to make it hard and strong.
Ask your child: What things in our kitchen might be made from clay?
Common mix-up: Kids may think anything made of clay is ceramics. The key is that ceramics are baked in a special oven called a kiln to make them hard and permanent.
Examples
- A clay flower pot that has been baked to make it strong.
- The shiny plates and bowls we eat from are often ceramic.
ceramics is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
