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Editor's note
Arts & Activities, Feb, 2008 by Maryellen Bridge
In this issue, we share with you some of the endless possibilities of clay. This malleable art medium has so much to offer, whether earthen, air-dry, self-hardening or salt-dough.
Clay is a natural choice when teaching students about the peoples of our world, as seen in our Cover Story, "Culture Through Clay ... Integrating African Traditions into American Curriculum" (page 16). Here, high-schoolers learn about the work of the artists at South Africa's Ardmore Ceramics, and create their own "utilitarian objects with sculptural elements based on the natural world of South Africa."
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The storyteller sculptures of the Pueblo Indians are always popular with people of all ages, and "Stories of the Past" (page 18) engages upper-elementary students in the study of the culture, the construction of storytellers and ultimately, has them building authentic-looking models of pueblos, populated with their clay figures.
In "Vessels, Peruvian Style" (page 30), Moche pottery dating from 200 to 800 A.D. inspires middle-schoolers as they learn about the culture and improve their clay techniques. And, even if there is no kiln in your school, "Clay for the Kiln-Less: African Amulets" (page 32) should be of interest to those who teach upper-elementary and middle-school students--and teachers on a strict budget. Here, ah easy recipe for salt dough is just the start of a lesson wherein children learn about African masks and talismans, and go on to create their own "amulets" reflecting cultural and philosophical ideas.
There are even more possibilities for clay in "Just Desserts at Art's Diner" (page 20), where delicious-looking culinary clay concoctions are the star of the show, and in "Artful Inclusion: Presidents Day or Bust" (page 34) where students of all abilities learn about the creation of busts throughout history and gain a greater understanding of the head and its proportions.
Finally, "'Let Me Out!' Pots" (page 35) challenges middle-school students" imaginations as they apply their skills in working with clay to make creatures that are popping out of, morphing into or hatching from a variety of forms.
So there you have it, some successful ways fellow teachers from throughout the country have explored the possibilities of clay with their students.
Whichever type of clay you choose, the experience of shaping something out of this malleable medium is a natural with much to offer.
Maryellen Bridge, Editor in Chief
COPYRIGHT 2008 Publishers' Development Corporation
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale Group
