You may use sprig molds all the time in your classroom, but do you ever get to make your own? Enjoy making a small, personal sprig mold to use over and over again!
We will be presenting a lesson on creating maracas using clay! In this lesson we will dive into how to create the base maraca shape from simple pinch pots, and how to manipulate the shape and add additional details to transform it into something new. This lesson can easily be differentiated for a variety of skill levels, and includes excellent cross- curriculum connections to science as we explore how the size and shape of our maracas affects the sound they create. Each participant will receive our slides presentation and resources for this lesson, as well as the opportunity to create their own clay maraca.
Take the fear out of clay! This session is designed for new art educations or anyone who wants to build confidence in using kiln-fired clay by learning essential clay management skills, kiln operation basics, common mistakes to avoid, and practical storage solutions. Participants will leave with a variety of successful clay project ideas for different grade levels and ability ranges, along with favorite tools, tips, and time-saving strategies for a successful ceramics program.
How can ceramics education help students develop the capacity to remain engaged with uncertainty rather than rushing toward fixed answers? This session introduces the concept of “disciplined ambiguity” as a framework for structuring inquiry, critique, and material exploration in the ceramics classroom. Through examples drawn from studio practice and reflective discussion, participants will explore strategies for sustaining interpretive openness, encouraging thoughtful risk-taking, and helping students engage complexity through making.
