Teaching in the Studio: Teen Wheel Throwing

A really nice, surprising thing happened in the studio today while teaching teen wheel throwing. The students are 11 to 13. One is incredibly... precocious. She's a great kid, always challenging herself (and me) and today she grabbed about 8lbs and insisted on throwing it. Since I basically have to center everyone's clay during the class (I make them try at first, then finish it up for them), I gave her permission to try on the condition that she would have to center it completely by herself, or at least not ask me for help. Well, she almost got it, but couldn't get it all the way, so all the other kids jumped in to help. I was too late with the camera to capture all of them helping out, but I did get a few shots.

Here she is, standing next to the wheel with a funny expression.

Ben finally got it centered for he. He centered all his clay by himself today and started helping others too.

After that, she did the rest by herself.

She discovered throwing standing up on her own. Tomorrow she'll be trimming all day!
I love it when students start helping other students. And when they succeed at something really hard by helping each other.

-HDavis