We returned to the Atelier to follow up on the interest in a standing clay person made by the East Wingers.
Teacher Amy: Dylan had some curiosity about the figure the East Wingers made last year.
Dylan: Yah, how does it stand up?
We examined the figure for differences between the one that stands and those that sit.
Rondie: (noticing a support piece attached to the standing one) That one has a broken leg.
Dylan: It’s too short.
Amy: Did you notice the extra support they added to the back of the standing one? Would you like to try to make some people?
Dylan: I’m going to make me.
The children began to individually shape the clay.
Tallulah: It’s not standing. I’m going to make it sit down. I don’t want to make feet. I didn’t want it to run away.
Rondie: I made Elliot (who he sees through the Atelier glass door in the sand). I squished the clay with my hands. I had to use a sharp shaving tool to poke holes. The holes are eyes and I scratched for the eyebrows.
Tallulah: To make the dress, I rolled like this (rolls a coil) then like this (spirals the coil).
The children were able to solve some of the challenges of upright figures by making them small or wide or sitting down. As their skills with clay develop, and their familiarity with tools increases, I expect that we will see even more sophisticated figures in the future. – Amy