I am always hesitant repeating projects from year to year. Thinking of new ways to teach similar skills is the part about my job I love, and keeping things fresh and exciting is more interesting for the people looking at the artwork in the building too. But, the response last year to this project was so positive, and the kids enjoyed making the work so much that I decided to do it again. I think this round of ceramic plates of food really set the bar high too... don't they truly look good enough to eat?!
Wow! I bet your students are soooo proud! Great job :) They look fantastic!
ReplyDeleteThese are AMAZING... how long does it take them to glaze all the pieces?
ReplyDeleteActually, not long at all to glaze! About 2 forty minute class periods.
Deleteare all them are going to be potters...??
DeleteWow. These are wonderful.
ReplyDeleteincredible. these kids are GOOOOOD.
ReplyDeleteHow do you prevent or teach students to avoid making air pockets in the clay? I'm new to art teaching and it breaks my heart when I open up the kiln and I'm left with a pile of rubble.
ReplyDeleteActually, I have only had two or three explosions in my 9 years as an art teacher. I think the key is explaining WHY things explode... I tell kids two things about the scientific things that can happen if the clay is too thick: 1. The piece will not fully dry all the way through- and if there is moisture deep inside the clay, those water molecules will essentially "boil" in the heat of the kiln and burst the clay 2. There is a good possibility of air pockets in thick clay. Just like with water molecules boiling, if there is a hole and the air inside of it is trapped, it will push out with nowhere to go and burst the clay...
DeleteThis usually gets through to them. I am just pretty diligent showing kids how to make hollow forms, and checking that there are escape holes for air in their work. I noticed that ANY time something exploded, it was because a student tried to "patch" something by smearing clay on top of an area- sometimes the clay is a different degree of dryness, sometimes air is trapped between the layers when they do this, but it generally always results in exploding artwork. So, I'm always on the lookout for these types of repair jobs that kids try to do.
Hope this helps- good luck!