>From: Occasm@aol.com
> I was wondering if anyone on the list can offer some tips as to how to
> approach plaster carving with 8th grade students. I have read on the list
> about mixing vermiculite to soften the plaster, but I'm not sure what I need
> for carving. I intend to do abstract organic small sculptures in the Arp and
> Moore vein. Is this too difficult for this grade level and what are some of
> the things to keep an eye on? > Any help would be greatly appreciated.
> mike sacco
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Hi. This is one of those perfect springtime projects which you can easily
move to outside the classroom...say under a tree, etc....because it can make
a REAL mess in the classroom...even if you're good at controlling masses of
kids and plaster shavings.
We don't use cartons so there's no having to collect them or store them. We
make balls of plaster by pouring the plaster as it first starts to get thick
and still "run" onto newspaper. I usually do 6 kids at a time at one table.
Kids immediately pick up the small pile of plaster/vermiculite and start
making a ball. I like this method because they can feel the temperature
change from slimy to hard/cold to warmth while setting up. Perfect place to
throw in a little science info. These dry overnight and we start carving the
next day....OUTSIDE. I take big trash cans and they throw chunks in that.
The little shavings fall on newspaper they have spread out on the ground.
They also take their chair to sit outside while carving.
They wrap their ball in newspaper each evening until finished to keep the
plaster slightly damp and in carve-able condition.
For carving we use small paring knives I got at Target (and Safeway)...3 for
a dollar...when on sale. You can also use plastic knives while the plaster's
in slightly wet condition. I'd check the dollar store if you have one
nearby.
When finished, we dunk them quickly into a bucket of water to get the dust
off then put them on top of the cabinets where it's warmer during the spring
and leave them there for a couple of weeks or 3 to dry bone-dry. Then we
sand and rub with milk OR paint.
Beware that middle school kids love to make toilets out of these little
plaster milk-carton shapes. I always get several who try it each time EVEN
though we start with rounded shape ones. It's a middle-school thing...trust
me. Toodles....Bunki
