Carole Fox on fri 26 mar 10
John-
I have also learned this over the years. Some kids..not all..really need =
=3D
a direction to go in before they feel they can create.
I teach my classes by technique only. First day..pinch pots.You know =3D
how many things you can make from pinch pots? Zillions! But I show them =
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a bunch of demos from previous classes...the alien in the bathtub, the =3D
piggy rattle, the heart shaped bowl, the basket with roses on it...I =3D
vary it as much as I can. Then I talk about other things that can be =3D
made from pinch pots and we brainstorm a bit.
Then I demo a pinch pot project.
What usually happens is most of the class will pretty much try to copy =3D
me- or some creative kid will come up with an idea and they will copy =3D
that. Usually kids will add their own personal touches.=3D20
This method allows me to have the same kids over and over again and =3D
still teach the same lessons. Since I always have repeat students, I try =
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to demo new ideas all the time. It is a fun challenge for me and I get =3D
well stocked on examples for the classroom.
I am lucky to be in a situation where I have small classes, one and a =3D
half hours of classtime, and total control of the "curriculum".If a kid =3D
takes on a big project, I encourage it. I don't mind if they work on one =
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project for the whole session. I love teaching kids. It is so much =3D
harder to get adults to relax in the studio. Kids seem to love the doing =
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part and are easily pleased with their work. it is so much fun, =3D
sometimes I can't believe I get paid for it!
Ok- here is something I tried yesterday that kids will love. Mix =3D
underglaze with dish soap in a shallow dish or tray and then put a straw =
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in it and blow bubbles in it. Have the kids place a bisque fired piece =3D
against the bubbles. They will pop and leave bubble marks - so cool!
Carole Fox
Silver Fox Pottery
Elkton, MD
silverfoxpottery@comcast.net
----- Original Message -----=3D20
From: "John Post"
To:
Sent: Wednesday, March 24, 2010 9:58 PM
Subject: Re: a kid
>=3D20
> If I make the goal too open ended on a project the kids flounder.
>=3D20
> About a month ago I showed the kids how to use paper resist and slip
> on tiles and was going to let them come up with imagery on their own.
> It was a big mistake, as they didn't come up with anything
> interesting. So I changed the lesson and gave it structure, requiring
> the kids to create a robot that had positive and negative shapes in it
> and the creativity blossomed.
>=3D20
> I find with kids its important to give them some requirements and let
> them be creative while working towards meeting those requirements.
> Kids aren't as good as adults at setting up their own problems to
> solve. They can only think outside of the box, once you put them in
> the box.
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