Today was the second day of a four day ceramics art class for 6-8 year olds. At the end of class yesterday, I asked students to draw several monsters on a piece of paper after we had cleaned the studio of our clay projects. Without much prompting, I did see several sketches of Monsters Inc. characters. Normally, I encourage students to deviate from popular imagery and try to steer them toward a more original idea. I usually help students accomplish this by asking them to change or modify something on their drawing that represents their own ideas. We practiced coil and pinch pot hand building techniques today to construct our monster mugs and gnome homes.
In starting the monster mugs, students used the pinch pot method to form the basic structure of a mug. Next, I showed them how to "weld" additive clay pieces on from all angles to make sure they don't fall off or break as they dry. Students were then encouraged to add monster facial features like eyes, nose, mouth, ears, horns, teeth, etc. Most students departed from their original plans on paper to create more unique pieces.
After a short break and hunting for hidden gnomes in the garden, my class and I made sketches and discussed what kinds of natural materials would make good homes for gnomes. Students were able to think of tree stumps, mushrooms, rock piles and woven grass as potential house structures for a small creature. Using what we learned from our monster mugs, students began coiling a basic clay structure for the walls of the house. Next they cut out windows and doors and needed to decide on the best way to construct a roof. I showed students how to roll out a slab and then cut it into natural, organic shapes, like leaves to sculpt a roof for their gnome homes. After roofs were built students could then add any other details to their homes, such as chimneys, mailboxes, sidewalks, etc.
For tomorrow's class we will be painting some air-dry clay pieces to construct mobiles and necklaces. The weather in Door county right now is very hot and humid, so I am worried about students' clay pieces being dried and fired on time. Have only a few hours and four classes does not give us as much time as we would like, but that's how art teachers learn to be resourceful, inventive, and flexible.
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