We Teach Clay

Emmanuel Crespo shares a project that gives students a chance to process through their emotions.  In this episode he discusses how he provides a safe place for them to express their fear in this COVID-19 world.  He details the sculptural assignment and submission process.  He tells us how the students describe the sculpture and their fears.  He follows that up with another project that gives the students a chance to remember, find, and foster HOPE!

Gina Brownstein talks about her feelings as we move deeper into the COVID-19 school shut down.  She tells us how she is checking in with students and meeting them wherever they are.  In this episode, we discuss how she is virtually connecting with students to create that unique community that only comes from a ceramic classroom.  We discuss ideas she uses during normal times and new ideas for this unique situation.

Ysabel Gray is a ceramics teacher in Orange County California. In this episode she discusses making our online assignments relevant and not just busy work.  She talks about how to front load WHY we are actually doing this assignment.  She gives excellent samples of Unit Concepts and Big Ideas that you can take to develop your OWN curriculum.

Mike Tillson is a ceramics teacher in San Francisco Bay area. In this episode he discusses moving to online instruction and the technology learning curve.  We discuss the challenges with our instructional delivery systems.  He offers several lesson ideas that you can begin to incorporate into your online curriculum.  We also discuss how to take basic online assignments to the next level.

Lisa Walle is a middle school art teacher in Ohio.  In this episode she offers engaging lesson ideas with a confident and encouraging voice.  Lisa’s approach to our new normal is “We Got This! Game on! Challenge accepted!”  She also suggests ideas that would be just for fun to encourage her students play outside of the curriculum.

Mike Flower has been a High School ceramics teacher in Southern California for 13 years.  He also is the founder and administrator of the Ceramics Teachers K-12 Facebook page.  Mike shares how he is preparing and adapting to this new online learning model during the COVID-19 school shut down.  He leads by example with his “be kind to yourself” approach.  He provides project ideas and student activities that can continue your curriculum and also be kind to our students.

WE TEACH CLAY was started as a place for ceramic teachers to discuss lesson Ideas, technology, classroom hacks, work life balance, etc.  

Unfortunately, in March 2020 there has been a shift from classroom to online teaching due to COVID-19. While we are all isolating in our homes teaching our students online, WE TEACH CLAY can help us connect with each other in a different way.  

In light of this unusual challenge, a beautiful community of teachers who are willing to share has emerged.