Circle Painting

I first read about circle painting here, though I've seen it on several blogs since then. I liked the idea of a collaborative project, and decided to use this project with my pre-k through first grade. I would certainly do this project again, with any grade level, though it worked out better with first grade than the younger groups. This was really just due to a few students in class, who are on the more messy side. Some of the other students were more likely to get frustrated at this grade level. The students were very proud of their work.

Firing Hazard

This is my current room set up. My kiln is in a corner of my classroom, rather than in a closet or another room. While I know that I am fortunate to have a kiln, it still seems a bit scary. Would this make anyone else nervous? 

Clay Storyteller

Clay Storyteller, originally uploaded by ashmom.

I unloaded the kiln Friday. I've never experienced anything like this, so I wondered if any of you had any experience with this. There are bubbly places on the ends of the feet. Do you see what I'm talking about? Two storytellers had these darker bubbled places. They were placed next to each other on the top shelf of the kiln. If you have any suggestions or insight, please let me know.

Wedging table

Photos, originally uploaded by ashmom.

I can't seem to get this mobile blogging down! Picture for the last post.

Wedging

The previous art teacher at one of my schools bought a lot of clay, LOTS of clay. There were boxes stacked everywhere in the closet, including 26 boxes of clay that was not usable, which leaves me to soak and wedge the clay back to a workable consistency. Luckily, a teacher at another school in my district has a wedging table. The plaster bat makes a HUGE difference. It just soaks up the water from the clay. Fortunately, I have a small school. Two boxes down...