Nan Dufresne on sun 22 sep 96
Peshtigo Wi has an annual Frontier Day celebration.... I was asked to
demonstrate coil pot making for the school children along side of other
craftsmen proficient in "old-timey-crafts."
On Friday the kids[K thru 6}were bussed in and lead around to the
different tables by their teachers. I told a little story about how the
first clay vessel might have been made..."a child of the cave people, just
about your age was playing with a hunk of clay picked up at the river bed.
He'd rolled it into a ball and stuck his finger in the center and started
squeezing the sides thinner when his parent snatched it away and threw it
into the fire. The child was supposed to be gathering firewoood,you see."
The outcome of the tale is obvious and the cave people no longer had to
drink water out of their hands. As I was talking I was demonstrating, of
course.After that I showed how to make a coil and start a pot and then how
to make an animal starting with two short pieces of coils, then asked them
what else the critter needed.
"a TAIL!..Can I make the tail?" "I'make the head!' In no time at
all the animal began to look like a horse for every child to marvel over.
My whole presentation had been un-planned...a seat of the pants sort
of thing. Questions about firing, painting, glazing came from every age
group of children. Several returned today and worked with me at the picnic
table. I was making violet pots and suggested the kids help me decorate
them with bits of clay and pointed sticks. Now I have a couple of personal
souvenirs to remember a marvelous experience.
Association with the other craftsmen was very rewarding,too. Most
had demonstrated in years past..all had a high energy level. It strikes me
that this sort of thing would be a marvelous way to draw retired seniors
into the mainstrem of life.
A tired, but happy senior citizen....Nan Dufresne
Greg Skipper on mon 16 mar 98
I've appreciated the discussions here regarding
teaching children. I've recently been asked to do
a session or two with a 5th grade class of 11
students. I'm interested in projects that work
for children who have had little experience with
clay. I've gathered some ideas but thought I'd
ask specifically for the best projects. I'm
assuming I'll take their work back to my studio
and fire it. I think I may then return and let
them glaze their pieces and fire again. I could
alternatively have them do something that doesn't
need glazing to be nice. (eg masks with mason
stain wash or something). I've thought about
having them make flowers attached to barbed wire
stems. (which I've been making and am very
pleased with). I don't know how they'd do with
the petals. (I could have them use thin plastic
and press balls on a table and then attach them
together and then place on stem (with or without
mason stains) this works very well.)
Anyway, I'd appreciate good ideas for sculpture,
slab building, or other ideas for a brief encouter
like this.
Thanks
Greg
Oregon
MGibb21521 on tue 17 mar 98
Greg
I recently did a 4 day (50 min per day) workshop with 8th graders. We did
slab building, sculpture low fire clay. (cone 04)
We only bisqued the pieces, then used acrylics and inks to finish. I must say
these kids did some great work!! (we did shoes, used old shoes as molds to
drap slabs over the tops and then attached soles and heels when tops were
leather hard and could be lifted off the mold)
I think several of these pieces are going to make it to the "big" secondary
school gallery art show for the school district. The art teacher was so
impressed that we will be doing this workshop again in her next trimester 3-D
art class!! I had a blast!
Marie Gibbons
Arvada, Co
Gracedart on tue 17 mar 98
hi greg;
i also work with kids and i'll tell what they have liked...not necessarily the
quickest or easiest...you may have to modify to fit your schedule:
* smoked castles: ^012 bisqued castles which were then placed in a metal
garbage can between layers of hay and packed and sprinkled with shavings ( i
used to buy by the bale at agways for gerbils)..and then burned slowly
allowing carbon deposits to form on the clay which takes 4-7 hours (they love
fire !) .the straw frequently gives a black & white linear-straw pattern on
the bottom and the shavings when burning quickly act as a resist leaving the
clay a near white color and intermitently give a toasty red-brown color...the
kids love the effect...i will this coming summer at camp introduce the
technnique of polishing the greenware (castle or whatever) after a very
slightly refined layer of slurry...if you have the patience make terra sig...i
used slurry and it gave just a little luster good for an old castle... and
then smoke fire it
* kids loved the methodical technique of burnishing with colorful, purchased
(parent purchase of $1.00) polished stones...to minimize breakage small solid
forms worked well...when their forms were bone dry they dampened small
sections at a time and burnished with the rock (plastic spoons work well too)
until it shined and repeated as often as they liked (2x is adaquate) the final
layer can be burnishing with a little oil instead of water...this summer at
camp i intend to introduce burnishing on thick (to minimize breakage), palm
size pinch pots, explaining this technique was often used by S.W. native
americans on the inside of their pots to waterproof their clay food storage
containers...these forms can then also be smoke fired (saggar if you have
access to a s. kiln)
* one of my camp's cits organized his 3 rd grade boys in making the camp's
baseball field from clay...they loved doing this...for details the field
evolved into "Aliens from the Outfield" as they made figures from sculpey clay
! wierd but they had fun as they worked together as a group
*i could go on , Greg...its late and i'm tired and this is getting long !...if
you want any more project ideas let me know
grace
JLHclay on wed 18 mar 98
Greg, A basic exercise I encourage : start with a slab of clay, see how many
textures can be made using just one's hands, have a contest, then try a ice
cream stick sharpened on one end. Hold it at different angles, . Everything
you make with clay has a surface therefor a surface texture, make the most of
it. Finished pieces might be made into spoon rests, drinking glasses wall
tile etc.. or just re wedged.
Cheryl L Litman on thu 19 mar 98
Greg,
Every time I get a new group of kids we make tropical fish. We look at
pictures of colorful fish and then they trace the outline lightly until
they are happy with it, cut it out, texture the slab, add some 3D effects
- raised eye, side fin, protruding mouth, (spikes for a puffer fish),
some add extra clay for longer fins and tail if their slab isn't big
enough. Then we drape it over some crumpled newspaper to give it a more
3D rounded look and punch a few holes in the top for hanging. Can either
paint with acrylics or glaze.
Cheryl Litman
Somerset, NJ
email: cheryllitman@juno.com
On Mon, 16 Mar 1998 11:44:04 EST Greg Skipper
writes:
>----------------------------Original
>message----------------------------
>I've appreciated the discussions here regarding
>teaching children. I've recently been asked to do
>a session or two with a 5th grade class of 11
>students. I'm interested in projects that work
>for children who have had little experience with
>clay. I've gathered some ideas but thought I'd
>ask specifically for the best projects. I'm
>assuming I'll take their work back to my studio
>and fire it. I think I may then return and let
>them glaze their pieces and fire again. I could
>alternatively have them do something that doesn't
>need glazing to be nice. (eg masks with mason
>stain wash or something). I've thought about
>having them make flowers attached to barbed wire
>stems. (which I've been making and am very
>pleased with). I don't know how they'd do with
>the petals. (I could have them use thin plastic
>and press balls on a table and then attach them
>together and then place on stem (with or without
>mason stains) this works very well.)
>Anyway, I'd appreciate good ideas for sculpture,
>slab building, or other ideas for a brief encouter
>like this.
>Thanks
>Greg
>Oregon
>
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JLHclay on fri 20 mar 98
Single firing projects, some glazes are single firing in combo with oxides &
colored slips you can have the authentic clay experience. jlhclay
cvldes@hotmail.com on fri 20 mar 98
I have taught for many years, a fun idea for elementary aged children:
1. Have kids roll out slabs using 2 sticks and a rolling pin.
2. Give kids a paper template to cut around for basic shape.
3. Create texture collages using found objects- corrugated cardboard, leaves,
seed pods, shells, combs, wooden spools, etc...
** as an alternative, Same steps 1 & 2,
3. Have kids incorporate their initials into their texture collages. (It
usually helps to design on paper first)
4. OR, use an oval template and have kids create faces showing different
expressions or emotions. (Use clay's additive properties as well, use garlic
press to create hair, etc.)
These are very simple activities, but can produce amazing work , especially
when examples and motivation are a part of the presentation. These tile
creations can be very dramatic when they are displayed together as one piece.
Good Luck!
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Gordon on tue 15 dec 98
Clayarters-
I have just signed up to teach a class of 3rd through 5th graders
ceramics every Wed afternoon for 1 1/2 hours.I was hoping to get some help
from this list of fool-proof, kid- tested and loved projects.I have taught
kids before but not ceramics so I would appreciate any and all imput.
Kathleen Gordon
Palo Alto,Ca
email:emgordon@batnet.com
voice:650-328-9164
"If things seem under control you are not going fast enough"
Mario Andretti
MR WENDELL R RIDENOUR on wed 16 dec 98
Bird Houses, and fat little pig banks where a hit with the kids and
parents......Just make a pattern out of cardboard and help the kids
cut out the shapes. The bird house had a circle roof that we slit and
folded over the house...They decorated them really cute with flowers
and vines etc....using pastel glazes.
Grace Epstein on wed 16 dec 98
hi kathleen
here are some ideas for teaching 3-5th graders:
from slab clay construct " your favorite, cozy place at home"....include
yourself if you want..2 walls and one floor,,,cutting out windows, adding a
partially open door, adding furniture-game boys, computers etc..slip or
underglazed later and clear glazed
castles which were burnished or terr sig polished and then low fired and then
sawdust fired with hay and (gerbil ) cedar shavings for grays and tans
rattling rats: brown clay pinch pots were first filled with paper wrapped
greenware clay beads and then closed like a taco...ears, tails etc were
added...poke a little hole to prevent explosions..ours were not glazed
monster pots: on a slab formed mug shape add monster features ...underglaze
and then clear glaze
a real easy one...slab saucers made in paper saucer molds ( chinette is
strong...) which the kids texture or design borders with rubber stamps...
clear glazed brown clays look nice
mr. toothbrush mug...another slab mug ( wide enough for the maid's hand to fit
inside for cleaning ) which you add a big toothy smile and other facial
details...same for hair brushes except the emphasis is on plenty of hair !
good luck and let me know if any of these work out
grace in CT
Tom Lambert on wed 16 dec 98
I just finished a project with a Grade 5 class (50 kids). We made
plates for their xmas dinner. I will let you know how they turned
out, clay used, ...I will wait to give you the info, in case it was
an utter failure, and I turn out to be a doughhead!
Mimi Stadler on wed 16 dec 98
Hello Kathleen-
I teach 6-yr olds Wednesday afternoons for an hour. Also work with ages 6-17
in summer camp. A really good project is mask making! A big sheet of
newspaper crumbled in an oval shape with a 2nd sheet of newspaper over it for
smoothness, taped on the back, makes a good drape mold. I have a slabroller
and prepare the slabs, though bigger kids can roll their own on the machine or
with rolling pins. We press, pinch, add on with scoring and slipping, add
rolled or extruded coils or pieces cut from slab scraps... Before we even
begin, while hands are clean, we explore our own faces and I talk about the
ins and outs of features, planes etc. Try it!
Mimi Stadler
reldats5@aol.com
Hillside, NJ
Martin Howard on thu 17 dec 98
I am new at teaching. My father was a headmaster. I knew what he was
like at the end of term, so I became a Town Planner instead. Having, at
that time a bad stutter, that was no bad move.
Now at 59 I am retiring into ... teaching children how to pot and throw.
Although my hearing is going, so my passion for Esperanto is more a
matter of writing and reading than listening, I find that working with
clay comes naturally to me. I have usually 4 children at a time for a
Pottery Party, and they love it. Of course what they make is slightly
improved when they have gone, then fired, glazed and fired again.
I hope they will then remember the sense of touch, the change of the
material in the kiln. The colours produced. They may even become potters
in the local area and produce table ware for future generations;
reinvigorate local, cottage, country crafts.
Martin Howard
Webbs Cottage Pottery and Press
Woolpits Road, Great Saling
BRAINTREE
Essex CM7 5DZ
01371 850 423
araneajo@gn.apc.org
Dan Bare on thu 17 dec 98
Dear Kathleen,
I have been teaching this age group for two summers. I found that the best
projects were those which used their imgination. As soon as the project
becomes theirs the better. Then they own the idea and the work and not the
teacher. (hopefully) :)
For instance, Fantasy Creature Pots, Using the idea of a pinch pot have the
student transform the pinch pot into a fantany creature pot. Using a
combonation of animals, human and/or imginery creatures to create a pot. To
extend the project have them do a family or group that relates to their chosen
theme. use a visaul references of the peru aniaml pots, or Olmec
transformation creatures.
if you need more let me know
good luck
and Have fun!
Dan Bare NJ
Valice Raffi on thu 17 dec 98
Hi Kathleen,
I alawys take the kids through the basics of pinching & scoring before
letting them go... they always try to just stick pieces of clay together
otherwise & the things they make don't even make it to the kiln, let alone
through the firing process.
They really love making pinch pots & most love making lids for them. The
clay whistles are popular (but be prepared to be the one to make them
whistle!), and so are dioramas (little scenes), alligators & other
creatures, sun faces, space ships & aliens.
have fun!
Valice
in Sacramento, bummed because one of my favorite 9th graders is insisting
on dropping out of school :(
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>Clayarters-
> I have just signed up to teach a class of 3rd through 5th graders
>ceramics every Wed afternoon for 1 1/2 hours.I was hoping to get some help
>from this list of fool-proof, kid- tested and loved projects.I have taught
>kids before but not ceramics so I would appreciate any and all imput.
>
>Kathleen Gordon
>Palo Alto,Ca
>email:emgordon@batnet.com
>voice:650-328-9164
>
>"If things seem under control you are not going fast enough"
> Mario Andretti
Joanne Van Bezooyen on fri 18 dec 98
My most successful ceramic projects with 9-14 yr-olds last summer were boxes mad
to look like rocks. Some clever students found rough rocks and pushed them
against the clay for texture. They sliced the top and hollowed them out. They
made little forms to put in them or nature things like bugs or worms or leaves t
put on them. Tehy saggar fired them ...each in their own terra cotta flower pot
turned upside down on each other. They LOVED opening and cleaning them to see t
surprise inside.
Also a favorite was the chiminea. Small kids building large fire pots they coul
burn candles or wood in really thrilled them. Funny how the smallest children
built the biggest and the teens wanted candle-sized.
They designed a checker-board that couldn't be square or have square spaces, bu
that could still be used to paint squares onto.
They built name signs...for their horse or goat pens, or addresses or bedroom
doors.
They threw a pot on the wheel....pretty crude as their first attempt. They they
carved....added handles and feet...rakued....and were thrilled!
Joanne
Dan Bare wrote:
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> Dear Kathleen,
>
> I have been teaching this age group for two summers. I found that the best
> projects were those which used their imgination. As soon as the project
> becomes theirs the better. Then they own the idea and the work and not the
> teacher. (hopefully) :)
>
> For instance, Fantasy Creature Pots, Using the idea of a pinch pot have the
> student transform the pinch pot into a fantany creature pot. Using a
> combonation of animals, human and/or imginery creatures to create a pot. To
> extend the project have them do a family or group that relates to their chosen
> theme. use a visaul references of the peru aniaml pots, or Olmec
> transformation creatures.
>
> if you need more let me know
> good luck
> and Have fun!
>
> Dan Bare NJ
Deborah L. Blackwell on fri 18 dec 98
Kathleen,
Last year I taught 3-5 graders at the local University's program for
gifted and talented kids. Had various levels of abilities so each was
given attention to the areas they needed help in. We made masks formed
from a bowl shape or waded newspaper, bird baths or bird feeders, we
experiemented with raku and made treasure boxes, pinch bowls and coil
bowls, then we had a class of make anything you want. They all responded
quite well to each at their own levels of abilities and each project
taught various lessons in techniques.
Good luck!
Deborah
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Grace Epstein on sun 20 dec 98
Don't give up on your favorite 9th grader Valice !
Talk as much and as openly as you can and at the very least make sure he/she
knows you will always be available for help, etc and help he/she has a path
towards a future that is healthy and productive and that she/ - he can always
come back to school. My heart goes out to you. I have a 9th grader myself
and it's not easy ! for the 9th grader or the adults in their world. just be
there, listen and support and keep the faith...they need all that and more !
keep us posted
Grace in CT
Grace Epstein on sun 20 dec 98
Great ideas Dan
Could you explain the rock-box a little differently so I can better
understand...i really like the idea
How are you saggar firing ? At my camp i have only 1 enclosed electric kiln
and would love a way to saggar
Grace in CT
ababy sharon on sun 20 dec 98
Teaching children:
1. Mainly work with slabs
Beginning: magnets for the refrigerator
plates
stamps (seals) on plates
plates with drawings
bowls
In the clubs it is good to plan works around holidays such as:
A tray for Thanksgiving
A potted plant for Mother's Day
Hanukia Hanuka
Halloween - Masks from every child's imagination (children like to make =
'hair'
by putting clay in a garlic sqeezer).
Slabs around a pipe to create pitchers, cups etc.
Long term processes for instance:
If a child brings from a trip 'natural clay' put it in water and check it =
out
after a while to see if it is useable in ceramics.
New possibilities and excitement:
New methods from time to time (different painting methods)
From time to time (not too often) introduce special effect clays (I =
sometimes
give the children to prepare a simple Raku work and I fire it for them).
For coloring I prefer to give them 50/50 Engob/Commercial stain which is =
good as
an engob as well as an underglaze.
The glaze experiments that you have leftover you can put into slip trailing
bottles (S.T.B.) The children like to drip it over their works.
Good Luck, Ababi
Gayle Bair on mon 21 dec 98
I thought I might share the teaching experience I had this past summer.
In August my niece (5) and nephew (9) were placed in my charge as
their parents were at a convention for several days.
I had spent very limited time with these children as we had moved to
Colorado 2 years ago. When we lived in the same state our time together
was limited to holidays.
I had trepidation's as my children are grown and I didn't relish having to
entertain little ones. You know... been there, done that, don't want to do
it again!
Anyway I took them out to my garage and introduced them to clay. It was
a most magical experience. They loved it. They handbuilt many pieces
of their design. They were so eager to learn. I didn't restrict the use of any
tools. The 5 year old even used the needle tool adeptly. They loved painting
their leatherhard pieces with underglaze. They scored, wet, incised, sculpted,
and had a fabulous time.
My niece who can be very demanding spent hours... literally hours out in my
garage working on her pieces. One morning I found her out there in her pajamas.
On their last day I let my nephew get on the wheel and I helped him make a littl
vase as his parents took pictures.
They understood that they'd have to wait for me to mail the pieces as they
had to be bisqued and fired. I asked them what color glazes they wanted on the
plain pieces. The last day they were upset as they didn't want to leave asking t
parents, "Can't we stay another day?".
It was several weeks before I got them all bisqued and glazed but finally sent t
A few days later I received an excited call from them. They took them to school,
they had them displayed in their rooms, they had tea parties with the tea set my
made, they proudly showed their wares to all who entered their home.
In September my niece was given an assignment to write about the best time of th
life. She wrote about her Aunt Gayle and learning to make things with clay.
Last week my sister in law told me that they are having continual
tea parties with the tea set my niece made and she must have been asked,
"Do you want a spot of tea?' 250 times that day.
So, what's my point? Here were two children ,who hardly knew me, in the course
of a few days I became a beloved aunt and very possibly started a lifelong inter
clay.
For me, I realized that there is little more a can person wish
for in life than to positively impact someone's life? Just recently I
realized that what makes my involvement in pottery so meaningful. It's having
people buy a piece of mine that they really love. It's hard to describe
but it's like they are buying the love/soul/life that I put into the piece.
On Saturday the last day of a bad show I gave away 3 pieces to some boys
who were admiring my pottery and wanted to get something for their mothers.
One boy walked home in a snowstorm to get his money. When he returned he
picked out a mug and dug in his bookbag for his $5. I told him to keep his mone
and gave him the mug. He was so grateful.
I sold absolutely nothing that day but left there feeling better than
if I had made $1000.
Not only do I teach children but find I am continually taught equally profound l
Happy Holidays to all,
Gayle Bair
Joanne Van Bezooyen on tue 22 dec 98
Hi Grace, I think you are writing to me. I probably replied to Dan's post.
Rock box:
The idea is to go outside and find an interesting rock that has sharp and soft
edges and texture. Have the children look at the rock carefully and then shape
a lump of clay as close to exactly the same size and shape as the rock. Then
have them try to imitate the textures on it. Demonstrate how to cut the top off
with a wire...with some jogs and jags...then scoop out the inside of the rock so
it is hollow. Place the lid back on and let it dry slowly. Bisque at cone 08.
I make certain their rocks are of a size that will fit inside 2 flower pots (fit
top to top together) Each child gets 2 flower pots of the same size (terra
cotta) Putty up the holes with a kiln putty In the bottom pot they put
sawdust, sprinkle with salt and copper sulfate. They wrap the rock box with
shredded steel wool and wrap with copper wire. Have them put their rock box
into the pot on top of the sawdust. Place the 2nd flower pot upside down on top
of the first pot. Use kiln putty to seal the top hole and around the edges of
the pots. Glaze-fire in an electric kiln to cone 04. When cool, let the
children open it up and clean it off and then brush salad oil on it to bring
out the colors.
Have fun with it.
Joanne
Grace Epstein wrote:
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> Great ideas Dan
> Could you explain the rock-box a little differently so I can better
> understand...i really like the idea
>
> How are you saggar firing ? At my camp i have only 1 enclosed electric kiln
> and would love a way to saggar
> Grace in CT
Grace Epstein on thu 24 dec 98
Joanne
Thanks a lot for your detailed directions for the rock box !!!!! I have
saggar fired a couple rock rattles and your project certainly connected with
me. I have one more question: I am concerned about the fumes emmited during
the firing...since I fire inside my house ( at home ) and inside a classroom (
at camp ). Do you consider the fumes ( and smoke ? )too much ?
Grace
Joanne Van Bezooyen on fri 25 dec 98
Grace....I really can't answer your question because I fire outside (I live in
Arizona). I assumed all indoor kilns have a hood and exhaust system....or shoul
Enjoying the holidays?
Joanne
Grace Epstein wrote:
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> Joanne
> Thanks a lot for your detailed directions for the rock box !!!!! I have
> saggar fired a couple rock rattles and your project certainly connected with
> me. I have one more question: I am concerned about the fumes emmited during
> the firing...since I fire inside my house ( at home ) and inside a classroom (
> at camp ). Do you consider the fumes ( and smoke ? )too much ?
> Grace
Nancy Jonnum on sun 3 jan 99
Dear Kathleen,
I have been interested in the ideas that your question has generated. My
suggestion is not as creative as some, but it is a fun project and good for a
large group.
The children may enjoy making potpouri jars, which can hang around their
necks on a cord. First they form a jar shape around a finger or thumb. The
top of the jar is formed by fitting it around a cork and then wiggling it a
little. The purpose of the wiggling is to make the hole a little larger to
allow for shrinkage. Since this is not a very accurate method of allowing for
shrinkage, you may wish to have several sizes of small corks availabe when the
project is completed. The corks are then removed.
Next the children can poke holes in the jars and decorate them with stamps or
textures. Two little knobs with holes in them may be added. This is where
the cords are attached after firing. The jars may be glazed, but it is easier
just to use the natural clay.
After the jars are fired the children may fill the jars with cinnamon,
chocolate, lavender, rosemary, eucalyptus leaves, dried herbs or other good-
smelling things. They love to wear them and sniff at them or give them as
gifts.
I hope that you can understand my explanation and will enjoy making the jars.
I will continue to watch the list for teaching ideas for children and adults.
Nancy
Mary Jane Omand on tue 27 apr 99
Hello everyone,
A friend and I are would like to teach children this summer. We both have
experience teaching adult wheel classes. We would love to hear from anyone
who has suggestions about teaching kids in general and also about
handbuilding projects that kid have liked. We were also wondering about the
length of classes and if we would be wise to group ages together. We would
like to offer a hand building class for children ages 6 to 12. My studio is
equiped with an extruder and a slab roller. I also have three wheels. My
friend and I work at cone 6. I have a good transparent glaze and several
other glazes that are recipes from a guild that I belong to. All the glaze
recipes I have in my studio were overhauled by Ron Roy a couple of years ago
for the guild as they were concerned about safty. We have been considering
working at low temperature instead of cone 6. Any advice would be
appreciated.
Jane Omand on Lake Simcoe, near Barrie Ontario.
mjomand@bconnex.net
Joanne Van Bezooyen on wed 28 apr 99
Hi Mary Jane,
If I had written to Clayart, it would have been the same post as yours. I am
also planning to run classes this summer in my studio (I did last summer and it
was great). I'm offering ages 6-8, 9-12, & teens. We'll do handbuilding as I
have only one wheel and it is a kick.
The best projects I did last year were:
Rock Boxes......clay around wad of newspaper. Cut and gouge and press to look
just like a rock they find outside. Make a small insect or lizard or other
animal they'd find outside to put on the rock. We sliced the top of the rock
off in a jagged line.....bisqued. We put pieces of blue glass in the bottom of
the box to melt and look like a pool of water. We then wrapped the boxes in
copper wire, shredded steel wool, and placed them in a clay flower-pot "saggar"
which had sawdust. We added other 'stuff', a little salt, copper carb, etc.,
topped it with another clay pot upside down and filled the cracks and holes with
kiln putty. These were low-fired. The kids loved 'unwrapping' their surprises,
cleaning them and oiling them to bring out the colors.
Chimineas (little fireplaces we use on patios out here in AZ)....
They made smaller versions of chimineas using slab hunks and building up. A
wadded newspaper core was helpful in stablizing the structure. They LOVED
building something big. They cut an opening in the chiminey structure into
which the fire would be built, added legs then carved and embellished. They
were about 12"x18" or so.
They learned to throw a small pot or bowl (with my one-on-one help) on the
wheel. The results weren't wonderful, but they then had to add handles, feet,
and carve into the clay. NOW they were wonderful. These we raku-fired.
We did a few other projects but I'd need to revise them.
OK....your turn to send me ideas ;-)
Joanne
Mary Jane Omand wrote:
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> Hello everyone,
>
> A friend and I are would like to teach children this summer. We both have
> experience teaching adult wheel classes. We would love to hear from anyone
> who has suggestions about teaching kids in general and also about
> handbuilding projects that kid have liked. We were also wondering about the
> length of classes and if we would be wise to group ages together. We would
> like to offer a hand building class for children ages 6 to 12. My studio is
> equiped with an extruder and a slab roller. I also have three wheels. My
> friend and I work at cone 6. I have a good transparent glaze and several
> other glazes that are recipes from a guild that I belong to. All the glaze
> recipes I have in my studio were overhauled by Ron Roy a couple of years ago
> for the guild as they were concerned about safty. We have been considering
> working at low temperature instead of cone 6. Any advice would be
> appreciated.
>
> Jane Omand on Lake Simcoe, near Barrie Ontario.
> mjomand@bconnex.net
Martin Howard on wed 28 apr 99
I hold children's parties. Up to 6 at a time. The age group seems to be
6 up to 10.
Projects which we have done are Castles, Round Cottages for the little
people, Tiles, Horses Heads, Stables.
While the rest are modelling the above, one is on the wheel with me.
They all throw a pot, first time. Yes, I hold their hands and guide
things along and take remedial action when fingers are wanting to go
through the sides of the pot. But it works. The looks on those little
faces is worth the pain in my back for bending over them for so long.
They can concentrate for up to about 2 hours, depending on age.
I charge an hourly rate per child, depending on age. e.g.. 8 pounds
sterling per each 8 year old. Of course that does not cover the cost of
preparation, the clearing up, the turning, the slip glazing, the bisque
firing and final firing. That is all done for ... love I suppose.
I just hope that some of those little ones will continue potting when I
have passed on.
Hoping that helps.
Martin Howard
Webbs Cottage Pottery and Press
Woolpits Road, Great Saling
BRAINTREE
Essex CM7 5DZ
01371 850 423
araneajo@gn.apc.org
Numo Jaeger & Michael Miller on thu 29 apr 99
At our studio we have two sections for young children age 6-8 and 9-12. The
classes are 1 1/2 hours long during the school year. The summer schedule is
different. The young children have one hour classes and the older children
have block classes that are two hours long.
Many of the 9 to 12 year olds really enjoy working on the wheel. Some don't
like to get to covered with clay though. Those students prefer handbuilding
and with the creative possibilities that occurs with handbuilding.
Working with 6-8 year olds is great fun! Some project ideas are:
Animals (imaginary and real)
Masks
Cups and plates (pinch, coil, slab)
Self portraits
Environments
Miniatures
People
Imaginary food
Houses
Castles
Musical instruments
Just to name a few!
Kids are great! You'll have a blast working with them.
-Numo
Numo Jaeger
Studio One Art Center
Oakland CA
Theresa van Ettinger on sun 2 may 99
It's interesting you mention self-portraits. My parents still have one I
did back in Junior high. That was the 1st really captivating experience I
had with ceramics. Now I'm starting to throw bowls about 7 in. high and
8-9 in. across! And reading this thread on children makes me want to go
out and buy a batch of clay and teach ceramics to my 4 nieces.
Regards,
Theresa
--
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/_______ If you think I should sing soprano,
_______ then you haven't heard me in person.
___|___
___|___ Interactive fiction page, poetry, and interesting links:
_(_)_ http://members.tripod.com/~k_lana
New layout for easier navigation!
Joyce Lee on tue 31 aug 99
Susan,
Ababy's post reminded me that I do have a file of clayarter's
suggestions for teaching children......kept just in case I did decide to
do some volunteering for an elementary school. If you'd like copies I'll
be glad to send them. I see no ethical problems in passing them along
since they were published on Clayart in the first place. And there's a
great article in Pottery Making Illustrated from some months back
describing the process of a tile mural created by elementary students.
If you don't have it, and want it, send snail address and I'll copy and
send to you.
Joyce
In the Mojave
Earl Brunner on wed 1 sep 99
I know I'm going to step on some toes here. Some of you no doubt really
like kids and think they are sweet and think that it is just too cute to see
them mucking about in a ceramics studio. Yuck! after spending all day with
them at school, the last thing in the world I want to see is the little
darlings invading my clay domain.
Joyce Lee wrote:
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> Susan,
>
> Ababy's post reminded me that I do have a file of clayarter's
> suggestions for teaching children......kept just in case I did decide to
> do some volunteering for an elementary school. If you'd like copies I'll
> be glad to send them. I see no ethical problems in passing them along
> since they were published on Clayart in the first place. And there's a
> great article in Pottery Making Illustrated from some months back
> describing the process of a tile mural created by elementary students.
> If you don't have it, and want it, send snail address and I'll copy and
> send to you.
>
> Joyce
> In the Mojave
--
Earl Brunner
http://coyote.accessnv.com/bruec
mailto:bruec@anv.net
Virginia Dawnswir on mon 25 feb 08
The enthusiasm of the instructor is paramount to successful teaching of
children. Many methods would work just as well as others. Showing students=
your love and excitement of working with clay is most important.
I have worked with children of all ages (as well as adults) for over thirty
years, mostly in after school or weekend classes. I give students basic
instructions in how to pinch, coil, slab, score, slip, texture, etc. Along
with each technique I show some examples of things they could make either as=
a vessel or a sculptural form (a different technique or two each class). I
show them examples of other student work. I quickly make pots that turn
into sculptures, sculptures that transform several times, maybe even turn
back into a pot and smoosh it all up again. I invite them to go around the
room and look at what others are making or finished student work. I will
give them a choice as to whether they make a vessel or a sculpture. They
can go and get more clay whenever they need more, no asking. I ask them to
make whatever they like using the technique we are covering. I invite them
to use any other technique they know. I always have a basic project to pull=
out to help the student that seems lost. Once they are finished, they are
invited to get more clay and make whatever they want. My goal is to have
students experience some of the many ways clay can be enjoyed and to learn
how to have success with their creations.
I am not working in a public school classroom and can design the class to
match the student=92s interests. I never have more than ten or twelve
students. The kids generally come because they like making things, like
clay or just like art. This is luxurious setting, and I don=92t think my
methods would work well with a class of thirty five. It=92s been over thirt=
y
years since I did teach in the public schools. My kudos, go out, to all art=
teachers in the public schools. You are working under many different
constraints and material budgets. I do think your basic enthusiasm is still
the thing that students will remember twenty years on.
I love hearing a parent tell me how much their child has been waiting all
week to come back to clay class! Or just last week, the twin sisters who
where trying to decide whether to go to their friends birthday party or come=
to class next week. I gave them clay to take home, plastic for covering, a
board and directions on how to protect and transport their work. This way
they could do both!
Virginia Dawnswir
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