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Mrs. Shields’ Classroom Edit display name

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When I began teaching art, ceramics was not part of the existing curriculum. Luckily, there was a kiln, and so on a limited budget, I immediately designed a beginning ceramics class. Over the last 5 years, the ceramics classes have grown in popularity. This year, I was able to add an advanced class to the program to further challenge students' creativity and provide them opportunities for growth in the arts. I regularly incorporate clay into my other visual art classes, and students gravitate towards it. The magic of clay is in the endless possibilities it provides for creating. Clay is a definite favorite medium for my students. There is something about the transformation process that is endlessly satisfying for them, and it is empowering as a teacher to watch each student create something unique and individual from essentially a ball of dirt. Working with clay provides all students with opportunities for success, no matter their learning style or previous experience. Ceramics students first learn the 3 hand building techniques: pinch, coil, and slab. Currently, when we create with slabs, students roll out the clay by hand using a rolling pin. While this is effective on a small scale, it's a slow process that requires strength and more importantly, time. Often a student will spend 2 or more entire class periods just rolling out their slabs before any construction can take place. Having a slab roller will encourage my students to create bigger, more artistically challenging works without the worry of time constraints. They would be able to roll their clay into consistent slabs efficiently and effectively, leaving more time for the creative construction process. It would help them create both functional and sculptural works, and be a very valuable addition to our art studio.

About my class

When I began teaching art, ceramics was not part of the existing curriculum. Luckily, there was a kiln, and so on a limited budget, I immediately designed a beginning ceramics class. Over the last 5 years, the ceramics classes have grown in popularity. This year, I was able to add an advanced class to the program to further challenge students' creativity and provide them opportunities for growth in the arts. I regularly incorporate clay into my other visual art classes, and students gravitate towards it. The magic of clay is in the endless possibilities it provides for creating. Clay is a definite favorite medium for my students. There is something about the transformation process that is endlessly satisfying for them, and it is empowering as a teacher to watch each student create something unique and individual from essentially a ball of dirt. Working with clay provides all students with opportunities for success, no matter their learning style or previous experience. Ceramics students first learn the 3 hand building techniques: pinch, coil, and slab. Currently, when we create with slabs, students roll out the clay by hand using a rolling pin. While this is effective on a small scale, it's a slow process that requires strength and more importantly, time. Often a student will spend 2 or more entire class periods just rolling out their slabs before any construction can take place. Having a slab roller will encourage my students to create bigger, more artistically challenging works without the worry of time constraints. They would be able to roll their clay into consistent slabs efficiently and effectively, leaving more time for the creative construction process. It would help them create both functional and sculptural works, and be a very valuable addition to our art studio.

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About my class

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