Help support Ms. Speart's Classroom

When working with clay there is a lot of time needed to pass out materials and to clean up. So the time we have to actually work is very precious. When doing hand building and specifically working with slabs it can become very time consuming and frustrating for the students. When students are trying to roll out and stretch clay to the needed widths and lengths for a mug using rolling pins it is physically difficult. Then trying to fit the slats and rolling pins on their workstations between other students, well they rarely finish their slab before it is already time to clean up. Some of the students struggle to the point where I can see the disappointment on their faces. To alleviate their frustration, I would stay after school the night before each class was to begin constructing their cylinders to do all the hand rolling myself using a rolling pin. It takes me at least two hours after school just to roll out 22 slabs for the cylinder portion of their mugs plus then smaller slabs for the bottoms, and that is just for one class. By the time I get home my arms, hands and wrists are sore. Each year I tell myself that I will not do this project again the next year because of the physical exhaustion. But then I see how creative they get with sculpting the faces on their mugs bringing individual personalities to each one and all the details they put into them that I cant help myself. With a slab roller they can take part in rolling the slabs them selves to construct their cylinders which will give them a better understanding of hand building, and more time to sculpt the faces.

About my class

When working with clay there is a lot of time needed to pass out materials and to clean up. So the time we have to actually work is very precious. When doing hand building and specifically working with slabs it can become very time consuming and frustrating for the students. When students are trying to roll out and stretch clay to the needed widths and lengths for a mug using rolling pins it is physically difficult. Then trying to fit the slats and rolling pins on their workstations between other students, well they rarely finish their slab before it is already time to clean up. Some of the students struggle to the point where I can see the disappointment on their faces. To alleviate their frustration, I would stay after school the night before each class was to begin constructing their cylinders to do all the hand rolling myself using a rolling pin. It takes me at least two hours after school just to roll out 22 slabs for the cylinder portion of their mugs plus then smaller slabs for the bottoms, and that is just for one class. By the time I get home my arms, hands and wrists are sore. Each year I tell myself that I will not do this project again the next year because of the physical exhaustion. But then I see how creative they get with sculpting the faces on their mugs bringing individual personalities to each one and all the details they put into them that I cant help myself. With a slab roller they can take part in rolling the slabs them selves to construct their cylinders which will give them a better understanding of hand building, and more time to sculpt the faces.

Help teachers & students in your hometown this season!
Use code HOME at checkout and your donation will be matched up to $100.

Ms. Speart's Classroom Edit display name

Support her classroom with a gift that fosters learning.

Support Ms. Speart's classroom with a gift that fosters learning.

About my class

About my class

Help teachers & students in your hometown this season! Use code HOME at checkout and your donation will be matched up to $100.

Ms. Speart's Classroom Edit display name

Support her classroom with a gift that fosters learning.

Support Ms. Speart's classroom with a gift that fosters learning.

About my class

About my class

Share this classroom

Help teachers & students in your hometown this season!
Use code HOME at checkout and your donation will be matched up to $100.