Dig Deeper

My last few blog posts have been focused around the idea of community. As such, I thought a current project of mine would be a good way to tie it all together. I have been taking pottery classes at a local pottery studio. I have been enjoying the experience because I have been able to meet other teachers, artists, and people within the community. While there, I was reminded how, as educators, we need to make learning more interactive and fun. Kids (and adults!) learn best when they are having fun. 

I wanted to take a pottery class because I have not created any pottery since high school. I wanted to be able to be more creative while re-learning the skill. I thought a more structured environment would allow me the ability to learn those skills again more quickly. I also wanted to take the class because I would love to incorporate more art into my own classroom even if I am not explicitly teaching art. I thought that working with clay is always something that can be incorporated and gives students a more tactile way of experiencing whatever the topic at hand is. 

As I went through each step of the process, I kept in mind how this experience could transfer into my own classroom. Even down to the fact that those of us in the class were free to talk and socialize while working showed a level of independence that I know most students want. So how can I go about creating a classroom community that always shows grace and courtesy towards each other while also allowing that community building to occur. 

This pottery class was structured in a similar way to any other class. First - introductions, second - instruction, and the finally practice with the ability to talk and communicate with those around you while you worked. I think a lot of this process comes down to that students will only get out of an experience what they are willing to get from it. It could be easier for kids to participate and engage with material if there was more of a chance to build that community and be able to talk to each other. I am going to have to think about how to structure more of that time into my classes.