The small group work becomes a source of cohesion, a space in which thoughts take shape, are expressed and compared with others’ different interpretations; new thoughts are generated; meanings are negotiated; and ‘the hundred languages’ can emerge. – Carlina Rinaldi
Vincent and Dex are new friends with loads of energy. Having an outlet for that energy is their first step toward meaningful work.
In the East Wing mini studio, clay was set out with the intention of continuing the interest in making beads. Dex and Vincent began to pummel the clay, and the teacher, knowing their dynamic, set aside her intention and stepped back to observe.
For an hour, Dex and Vincent used the material as a medium for conversation and social engagement; pinching, slapping and punching the red clay.
Then Vincent found a stick.
Dex: "Did you notice that you are taking my tools away?"
Vincent: "Yea."
Dex: "I need the tools to cut it, cut it."
Vincent: "Look it, Look at the stick. Can you get the stick out?"
(Vincent is using the mallet, garlic press, and scraper to loosen the stick.)
Dex: "I am trying to do something: I am trying to find dinosaur bones.
Hey Vincent, I found a dinosaur bone!" (He offers the stick).
Vincent took the stick and used it as a support to build the clay upward. He threaded globs of clay on the stick and said he was making a ‘monster’. Dex watched Vincent and began to build upward without support, and called it a ‘monster spider’.
The teacher reflected that giving this small group the time they needed to explore the clay, allowed them to learn the clay’s properties, ennrich their social skills, apply learned principles of construction, engage in negotiation over tools, process each other’s ideas of assigned meanings of the stick, and emerge with different interpretations through clay.