In a message dated 1/1/2005 4:16:19 PM Eastern Standard Time,
judi.morgan@sgs.org writes:
> Here are my questions for you ceramic instructing experts.
> 1)How do you set up your class regarding cleaning up, etc. and 2)Do you
> find it best to have a list of projects the students must complete or do
> you work on one assignment at a time? If you do a list, what do you
> consider to be a realistic, but challenging number of projects for a
> quarter/semester?
>
>
Yea! I am not a newbie at this anymore. Judy D. knows what it was like for me
last year!
1)How do you set up your class regarding cleaning up, etc?
Each student is responsible for their place. I made plywood boards (exterior
ply) covered with heavy canvas. Each student works on one. Previously, we
covered the whole tqbles with canvas. Boards seem to work better. They are about
18"x24". The idea is to keep clay dust down as much as possible.To clean
boards, I have students scrape the dried on clay off with the flat side of the
ruler into a dust pan. I don't let them sweep the clay of with a dust brush. Then
they sponge the canvas with a large wet sponge. Next the table gets sponged
and dried with a towel. I sponge wipe the counter tops every day. The custodian
mops the floor daily.
Tools- Mine are all sorted on a cart. Students clean their own and put them
away.
Work in progress - Students are given a JUMBO zip lock bag. We put the
unfinished work in it with a damp paper towel. Work is kept on their individual
shelf. I use kitchen trash bags for large work.
Completed work then goes on a shelf in the kiln room to dry. I have them
cover the work with a damp paper towel initially to keep edges from cracking. We
fire when bone dry.
2)Do youfind it best to have a list of projects the students must complete or
do
you work on one assignment at a time?
My students in ceramics One have work assignments to teach them the
processes. I usually present the next lesson objectives when the first two or three
finish to keep them all working. Others meanwhile, work on the former project to
completion. If they get behind, I have them come in during lunch or after
school to catch up. Some kids can be very slow bec. they are perfectionists. I try
to accomodate them bec. their quality is so good but I have to yank their
chain if they lag too far behind. Deadlines do wonders.
3) If you do a list, what do youconsider to be a realistic, but challenging
number of projects for a quarter/semester?
This is hard to say bec. it depends on the assignments. We did about 4-6 per
quarter. Remember, when they are bisqued, they have to glaze. Glazing takes
time. When they have about 3 pieces, we glaze them all at the same time and I
do a glaze fire. While we are waiting for the bisque, they are working on other
pieces. If some early finishers wish, they can do a piece of their own
choice.
