Ceramics I students prepared for their quiz on construction techniques this weekend by completing a review guide using their notes, and terms found on the project hand outs. We go over the review guides together in class to model good study habits and make sure everybody is on the same page. You can help your child by checking in our his/her study strategies. Is s/he checking moodle or his/her notes? Does s/he use flash cards or quizzing with peers? There are some great online study tools, like studyblue or quizlet. Our in class review guides count as part of the quiz grade, because students have control over this outcome; it is graded on completion. Students who've forgotten or missed the review guide by the due date can make up the activity, but by completing a different activity, since we've already done the review guide together. An example of an acceptable make up activity would be creating a public online quiz card set (at least 20 questions) for future students to use, based on the content in the review guide packet.
Jewelry I students worked on sawn pendants this week, becoming proficient with a jeweler's saw and then refining shapes and edges with a detail files. The tricky part to sawing is that the pressure has to be just right. The blade breaks when if it's too tight; it breaks if it's too loose; it breaks if you turn it too quickly; it breaks if you press to hard; it breaks if you angle it wrong; it breaks if you're distracted. It's a great mindfulness activity. Sawing requires the practice of complete focus, and gentleness of mind and body. Students then used all variety of detail files to clean up the saw marks on the edge and make it an even value (lightness or darkness that describes a form or texture), and then to create 'bevel' (angled edge that creates a highlight that outlines and emphasizes the thickness of the pendant). Ask your child about what was tricky for them, and how they met the challenge.
Jewelry II student worked on their 'Passion Project'-extending a skill or exploring a new skill of their choosing, individualizing his/her learning process. While there were multiple explorations, including patina and 2D>3D, many students were eager to get a head start on peyote stitch, a traditional Native American beadweaving pattern. Students exploring this technique practiced perseverance, learning how to prepare thread, correct mis-stitches and de-tangle knots. The stitch follows a regular pattern which can be modified to create button holes, and all manner of geometric patterns. Interestingly, Mansfield native Laura McCabe, one of my early jewelry teachers, has made a career of peyote stitch, teaching workshops around the globe, and publishing several books on the subject. Check out her amazing work at www.lauramccabeart.com/