CINDI ANDERSON on sun 30 may 99
I saw the thread on projects for teaching ceramics to younger kids, but
someone I know is teaching summer school at a prep school, ages 16-17,
mostly boys. Any project ideas would be welcome.
Thanks
Martin Howard on mon 31 may 99
Teaching children, teenagers or adults is surely similar. Get their
attention and interest.
So, with 5-10 year olds I ask the parents what the children are reading
at present, what are their special interests. Then build a pottery
session on that.
One group next week, 5 or 6 five-year olds, are into Tolkien's "The
Hobbit". So I re-read that and take out of it those items which are
suitable for modelling in clay by 5 year olds, but leave as much space
and time as possible for their imagination to soar. I just present ideas
and techniques for achieving a visual form of those ideas.
Martin Howard
Webbs Cottage Pottery and Press
Woolpits Road, Great Saling
BRAINTREE
Essex CM7 5DZ
01371 850 423
araneajo@gn.apc.org
Karen R. Betts on sat 12 jun 99
On Mon, 31 May 1999, Martin Howard wrote:
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> Teaching children, teenagers or adults is surely similar. Get their
> attention and interest.
>
> So, with 5-10 year olds I ask the parents what the children are reading
> at present, what are their special interests. Then build a pottery
> session on that.
>
> One group next week, 5 or 6 five-year olds, are into Tolkien's "The
> Hobbit". So I re-read that and take out of it those items which are
> suitable for modelling in clay by 5 year olds, but leave as much space
> and time as possible for their imagination to soar. I just present ideas
> and techniques for achieving a visual form of those ideas.
>
> Martin Howard
> Webbs Cottage Pottery and Press
> Woolpits Road, Great Saling
> BRAINTREE
> Essex CM7 5DZ
> 01371 850 423
> araneajo@gn.apc.org
>
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To the person looking for activities for 16/17 yr. old kids;
I don't disagree with Mr. Howard, "on paper," anyway. Theoretically, the
same principles apply to all age groups, learning-wise, and other aspects of
life.
However...
As a mother of a grown daughter, and a fifteen-yr-old daughter...teens are
not typical in any sense of that word. (A typical teenager runs the gamut of
moods, emotions, and behaviors; and this can happen in the span of five
minutes, much less a day, week, year.) Of course, I can't speak for boys of
this age other than as a godmother and friend of mothers of teen boys.
I do know that to " get their attention and interest" requires an intimate
knowledge of the likes or dislikes of any given teen. Unfortunately, this is
not always easy to ascertain, nor are some teens given to voicing their
likes/dislikes.
Also, teens can be mercilessly judgemental about themselves and anything
that they attempt that they do not perceive as "perfect."
My 15-yr-old was given a throwing demo by a friend of mine, and was taken
with the whole process. She has only been happy with one or two things that
she has made, but I do have hope.
One thing that I have learned, as a mother and a former teacher is that
patience and respect are more important than anything else to a teen. And...
if they are having fun (even if this means a "clay fight" with subsequent
mess to clean up) they are more apt to repeat the attempt(s).
Sincerely,
Karen R. Betts
University of Florida graduate '99
"And in the end...the love you take...is equal to the love...you
make." LENNON/McCARTNEY
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