Tony Ferguson on wed 5 mar 03
Les,
I am currently teaching special needs folks via a residency for 3 months
which includes pottery and sculpture, raku and other surface treatments.
What I am amazed at is these folks have no inhibitions what so ever--they
have literally attacked the clay. A woman today impatiently signed
repeatedly to give her clay and then more clay and more clay. It was great!
These folks I am working with have an approach that is raw, dynamic
(sometimes so much they dry they clay out in their hands before they can
make anything) and very very creative as they know no formalities of being
an "artist." I very much like how their pinch pots are turning out as they
are very scuptural, free, dynamic and not duplicates of what I am
demonstrating.
Approach working with them based on their individual needs and try to taylor
your lessons as best as you can so they have a sucessful experience with
clay. Even simply placing a ball of clay in people's hands to where they can
just feel and squeeze it can be very enjoyable for them as it was for one
wheel chair woman. She blinked twice to tell me she liked the clay.
I started out with having my students touching different kinds of clays and
asking them what it felt like to them--It has been great fun as they have
described everything from smooth to slimy, rough and rocky. I also told
them about where clay comes from, its ancient quality, that there is a bit
of the cosmos in the clay. There way of working is much like my children's:
full of discovery, awe, excitement, and many other wonderully uninhibited
qualities.
I related today to one of the therapists how adults kill the kid in the kid.
That adults have these ideas of what children should be like, appropriate
behaviors, the good old "to be seen and not heard," what they should become,
defining for them what they are good at or weak at and placing expectations
and manipulations on younger people till they destroy the enjoyment for
wonder, use of imagination, exploration for the sake of discovery and take
the easy pre-defined, socially moulded road.
These folks have no hang ups other than their apparent cognitive and
psycho-motor limitation which don't seem to be stopping them from
discovering and enjoying the clay. They are adults, yet also like my
children in their fascination with the simplist of materials. They simply
love and enjoy the clay, how it feels and smells. If they can something too
they are also overjoyed.
Email me off list to discuss other lessons and activites.
Thank you.
Tony Ferguson
On Lake Superior, where the sky meets the Lake
Stoneware, Porcelain, Raku and more
by Coleman, Ferguson, Winchester...
www.aquariusartgallery.com
218-727-6339
315 N. Lake Ave
Apt 312
Duluth, MN 55806
----- Original Message -----
From: "Les Elford"
To:
Sent: Wednesday, March 05, 2003 3:56 PM
Subject: Teaching Mentaly Challenged, Any Ideas?
> Clayarters,
> I am going to meet with a woman that has ran a home for mentally
challenged
> individuals for 21 years. I have been asked to consider having a class
> teaching this diverse group of individuals.
> Do any of you have experience teaching people with special needs?
> If so could you give me some ideas? I have a clay extruder and have put
> together a few ideas.
> I could use a few more and would like to hear of success you may have had.
> Thanks,
> Les in the Rockies!
> The snow that fell the past few days is melting!
>
> _________________________________________________________________
> Add photos to your e-mail with MSN 8. Get 2 months FREE*.
> http://join.msn.com/?page=features/featuredemail
>
>
____________________________________________________________________________
__
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.
>
Putnam Studio on wed 5 mar 03
Les,
I've just started teaching a clay class at a local sheltered workshop
for folks with developmental disabilities. It's a riot, to see all the
different ways the students approach the clay!
I'm sure there are more experienced folks on the list to help you but I
can share a couple of things...we have been primarily using paperclay
that I made from my scrap. The paperclay has advantages since the work
often has uneven thickness or parts that come unattached after
drying...they are easy for me to re-wet and put back together. Also not
so much fret in transporting the greenware to my kiln. The students are
currently painting the bisqueware with acrylics while the workshop
decides if they want to commit to glazing and all it entails.
First few sessions were just getting used to the clay, squishing,
rolling, smashing, etc. From there we've just had a few simple projects
including pressing clay into a plaster tile mold which was fairly
successful. Very exciting when they flip the mold and this wonderful
tile falls out!
There is one guy though...very large...doesn't talk...rocks in his
chair...but I look over at the very first class and he is making a pot
with a flat bottom and building the sides with short, thick coil pieces.
Beautifully done...I showed him how to use the slip like "glue" to keep
the pieces stuck together...only showed him one time and he got it. He
makes the pieces as tall as we have clay to give him that day. He gets
a sly smile on his face as he works...yeah, very cool.
I'm usually just a lurker but had to speak out on this topic. My oldest
son is 25 and has Down syndrome so it's kinda near and dear to my heart.
Good luck and enjoy!
Jacki
---------------------
Putnam Studio
www.putnamstudio.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Clayart [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG] On Behalf Of Les Elford
Sent: Wednesday, March 05, 2003 1:57 PM
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: Teaching Mentaly Challenged, Any Ideas?
Clayarters,
I am going to meet with a woman that has ran a home for mentally
challenged
individuals for 21 years. I have been asked to consider having a class
teaching this diverse group of individuals.
Do any of you have experience teaching people with special needs?
If so could you give me some ideas? I have a clay extruder and have put
together a few ideas.
I could use a few more and would like to hear of success you may have
had.
Thanks,
Les in the Rockies!
The snow that fell the past few days is melting!
_________________________________________________________________
Add photos to your e-mail with MSN 8. Get 2 months FREE*.
http://join.msn.com/?page=features/featuredemail
________________________________________________________________________
______
Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.
Les Elford on wed 5 mar 03
Clayarters,
I am going to meet with a woman that has ran a home for mentally challenged
individuals for 21 years. I have been asked to consider having a class
teaching this diverse group of individuals.
Do any of you have experience teaching people with special needs?
If so could you give me some ideas? I have a clay extruder and have put
together a few ideas.
I could use a few more and would like to hear of success you may have had.
Thanks,
Les in the Rockies!
The snow that fell the past few days is melting!
_________________________________________________________________
Add photos to your e-mail with MSN 8. Get 2 months FREE*.
http://join.msn.com/?page=features/featuredemail
Working Potter on thu 6 mar 03
From my experience with the artists -in-the-schools and other programs that
fell in ,my lap over the years I can only say try to get them to make the
classes very small,breaking them up daywise or time wise to get a focus size
group of near equals.Yuo probably already don't need to be told to break the
project into simple elements and wait to proceed when all get that step done,
allowing for helping hands from you and any help you may have time to go
around and praise and approve as well as assist.
I would get plastic containers and have the extrusions made in advance and
thus stored.You might add sprig pressings.A collections of rolled out clay
slabs as wellas the extrusions too may come in handy.
If you have those smaller extruders and others like the caulking one for
stronger clients and the kemper or pastry or playdough ones for them to try
for themselves that would unite the proscess with the product for some
Slabs could be cut with a needle tool using a template of an existing tile
or a paper form and a toothbrush with water could adhere sprigs to the
surface.
The boxwood tools and tongue depressers and popscicle sticks and other instr
uments in your tool bos could decorate textures on discs of clay for tiles or
even larger buttons if you use skewers to make the holes and larger beads
may also be possible.Cut the coil extrusions in even or uneven for that
matter, sections and let them roll them over textures like corrigated
cardboard or butter roller paddles with the ridges.I bring strainers wire
mesh ,if flat I tape the edges, and plastic hole ones and garlic presses
are fun to make hair and animal fur on projects like little hand sculpted
animals or people.[I poke a pencil up the bottom center so they dry evenly].
Using a clairol bottle with slip or syringes of all types from mustard
bottles and ear syringes to larger baster syringes and cookie presses with
clay soft enough to ''write with'' on tiles or other forms may be fun..
A lot of safe fun gadgets make the time go well but demonstrate them slowly
and go to each person to show tem up close and personal so they see what the
proscess looks like for them selves.
I always encourage quiet talk while they work so it is fun and have a show
and tell at the end.
Good luck,
Misty
Jean Lehman on thu 6 mar 03
Hi, Les.
Mentally challenged people have a wide range of abilities and skills. Without
knowing their level, it would be hard to suggest projects. The person in charge
should be able to tell you their approximate level of understanding and
functioning. Some handicapped individuals are quite advanced... others might be
performing at a two year old level. You can plan from there once you have that
information. Regardless of the ability level, I would definitely keep the group
very small and have someone to help.
I have a daughter with severe mental retardation. Any attempts to interest her in
clay have not been successful, although I have to admit I haven't tried in several
years. She is in a group home, and I suspect at least one of her two housemates
could handle simple projects that you might present to a preschooler. But this
would be entirely different if someone is at the higher end of the scale.
Anyway, find out as much as you can and plan accordingly! It could be very
rewarding and fun. I will be interested in hearing how it goes!!
Jean, who arrived in San Diego/San Marcos yesterday to help out a wee bit at
Nottingham before all the action starts.
----------------------->
Jean Lehman, usually in Lancaster PA
The Strictly Functional Pottery National acceptances and rejections were mailed
out on Monday!! Wayne Higby accepted 100 pieces out of 1285. I can hardly wait to
see the actual work!
>
> I am going to meet with a woman that has ran a home for mentally challenged
> individuals for 21 years. I have been asked to consider having a class
> teaching this diverse group of individuals.
> Do any of you have experience teaching people with special needs?I could use a
> few more and would like to hear of success you may have had.
> Thanks, Les in the Rockies!
Marry Lukeman on thu 6 mar 03
Hi Les
Could you send me an email re your teaching challenged kids. I would love to be in touch with someone else who does this.
I have had several sessions with them and am now developing regular programs with a government run agency called The Thame Valley Centre in London Ontario. I have an hour session for 4 days starting next week.
My method is to encourage them to do anything that comes into their heads rather than to try and direct them. If they are void of ideas, I quietly ask them if there is anything they like or a pet etc,, This triggers them into action. I just give them a ball of clay -red or white or both, stamps and tools. Have not tride excrtions, but there is no reason why this won't work.
I have found the important thing is to feel comfortable with the kids and believe anything is possible. My experience is that anything IS possible.
I bring the pieces to my studio and fire them. When they are returned the children paint them with poster paint and then cover them with liquid floor wax to seal them. The peole working regularly with the children have told me that the clay and outdoor activities are the only two things that hold their attention for a full hour. In my case the children always want more time.
Good luck Marry
>
> From: Les Elford
> Date: Wed, 5 Mar 2003 14:56:33 -0700
> To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
> Subject: Teaching Mentaly Challenged, Any Ideas?
>
> Clayarters,
> I am going to meet with a woman that has ran a home for mentally challenged
> individuals for 21 years. I have been asked to consider having a class
> teaching this diverse group of individuals.
> Do any of you have experience teaching people with special needs?
> If so could you give me some ideas? I have a clay extruder and have put
> together a few ideas.
> I could use a few more and would like to hear of success you may have had.
> Thanks,
> Les in the Rockies!
> The snow that fell the past few days is melting!
>
> _________________________________________________________________
> Add photos to your e-mail with MSN 8. Get 2 months FREE*.
> http://join.msn.com/?page=features/featuredemail
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at melpots@pclink.com.
>
Larry H on thu 6 mar 03
Hey Les
I work as a school psychologist in a high school that has about 50 students
catagorized with serious handicapps. I have involved most of them in some
sort of clay activities, from the very simple just having them feel the
clay, to making handbuilt vessels to even having a few attempt to do work on
a wheel. When working with these students you do need to keep the numbers
small and have help at times one on one is needed, I would also keep the
directions very simple and concrete in nature doing one step at a time.
Levels of skill will vary as it would with any group of people so it is
important to keep them engaged as much as possible to there ability levels.
Often you may need to repeat directions. I also tend to make it fun by
clapping for what they have done or some other form of vibrant praise.
Until you have an idea of what can be done I would with a simple pinch pot
or a slab activity involving writing their names. One class decided to make
a forest full of dinosaurs.
What ever you do it will be a great amount of fun for you, qnd a project you
will not soon forget.
Enjoy
Larry Harding
>From: Tony Ferguson
>Reply-To: Clayart
>To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
>Subject: Re: Teaching Mentaly Challenged, Any Ideas?
>Date: Wed, 5 Mar 2003 22:40:33 -0600
>
>Les,
>
>I am currently teaching special needs folks via a residency for 3 months
>which includes pottery and sculpture, raku and other surface treatments.
>What I am amazed at is these folks have no inhibitions what so ever--they
>have literally attacked the clay. A woman today impatiently signed
>repeatedly to give her clay and then more clay and more clay. It was great!
>
>These folks I am working with have an approach that is raw, dynamic
>(sometimes so much they dry they clay out in their hands before they can
>make anything) and very very creative as they know no formalities of being
>an "artist." I very much like how their pinch pots are turning out as they
>are very scuptural, free, dynamic and not duplicates of what I am
>demonstrating.
>
>Approach working with them based on their individual needs and try to
>taylor
>your lessons as best as you can so they have a sucessful experience with
>clay. Even simply placing a ball of clay in people's hands to where they
>can
>just feel and squeeze it can be very enjoyable for them as it was for one
>wheel chair woman. She blinked twice to tell me she liked the clay.
>
>I started out with having my students touching different kinds of clays and
>asking them what it felt like to them--It has been great fun as they have
>described everything from smooth to slimy, rough and rocky. I also told
>them about where clay comes from, its ancient quality, that there is a bit
>of the cosmos in the clay. There way of working is much like my
>children's:
>full of discovery, awe, excitement, and many other wonderully uninhibited
>qualities.
>
>I related today to one of the therapists how adults kill the kid in the
>kid.
>That adults have these ideas of what children should be like, appropriate
>behaviors, the good old "to be seen and not heard," what they should
>become,
>defining for them what they are good at or weak at and placing expectations
>and manipulations on younger people till they destroy the enjoyment for
>wonder, use of imagination, exploration for the sake of discovery and take
>the easy pre-defined, socially moulded road.
>
>These folks have no hang ups other than their apparent cognitive and
>psycho-motor limitation which don't seem to be stopping them from
>discovering and enjoying the clay. They are adults, yet also like my
>children in their fascination with the simplist of materials. They simply
>love and enjoy the clay, how it feels and smells. If they can something
>too
>they are also overjoyed.
>
>Email me off list to discuss other lessons and activites.
>
>Thank you.
>
>Tony Ferguson
>On Lake Superior, where the sky meets the Lake
>
>Stoneware, Porcelain, Raku and more
>by Coleman, Ferguson, Winchester...
>www.aquariusartgallery.com
>218-727-6339
>315 N. Lake Ave
>Apt 312
>Duluth, MN 55806
>
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Les Elford"
>To:
>Sent: Wednesday, March 05, 2003 3:56 PM
>Subject: Teaching Mentaly Challenged, Any Ideas?
>
>
> > Clayarters,
> > I am going to meet with a woman that has ran a home for mentally
>challenged
> > individuals for 21 years. I have been asked to consider having a class
> > teaching this diverse group of individuals.
> > Do any of you have experience teaching people with special needs?
> > If so could you give me some ideas? I have a clay extruder and have put
> > together a few ideas.
> > I could use a few more and would like to hear of success you may have
>had.
> > Thanks,
> > Les in the Rockies!
> > The snow that fell the past few days is melting!
> >
> > _________________________________________________________________
> > Add photos to your e-mail with MSN 8. Get 2 months FREE*.
> > http://join.msn.com/?page=features/featuredemail
> >
> >
>____________________________________________________________________________
>__
> > Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
> >
> > You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> > settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
> >
> > Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
>melpots@pclink.com.
> >
>
>______________________________________________________________________________
>Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
>You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
>settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
>Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
>melpots@pclink.com.
_________________________________________________________________
The new MSN 8: smart spam protection and 2 months FREE*
http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail
| |
|
