Place Based Education, Diversity, and Clay

Placed Based Education Roots: –A belief that people had begun to “live above” local responsibility (Berry, W. 1987). –the importance of “renewing a sense of community” through a greater inclusion of local in curricula (Ball and Lai, 2006). Goals: –Connecting learning to meaningful life experiences –Addressing the needs of a community for sustainability and health.

Problems in P.B.E. Many students find digital world more familiar than local community. Politicized nature of ecohumanized education can cause a disconnect with students. Proposed solutions: –clear objectives –attempt to present many points of view –honesty about bias –time for students to construct learning –connections to popular culture/student interest

Ideas for P.B.E Connect students with local arts, literature, and history. Ask/show how that relates to the larger world. Connect students to local people/problems/diversity. Encourage a critical thinking by having students: –research –form an opinion –produce art that reflects that opinion

Diversity in Arts Education Learning about our roots can lead to comparison and reflection on others cultural practice. Arts are a great way to learn about diversity: –research and compare/contrast cultural art –create art in the manner of another culture, but use personal symbols. –Totem pole exampleTotem pole example

Clay and Diversity Clay is a great place to start looking at diversity because many cultures used it to make art. –Blick Diversity Art Lesson PlansBlick Diversity Art Lesson Plans Native American/Mexican Pottery Asian/African funerary practices African Masks Greek/Roman/European pottery

Clay in the Classroom Modeling –scientific models –3-D maps Kinesthetic Independent Practice –using measurement/math concepts –meaningful shapes practice –chemistry in action

Hand Building Techniques Pinch Coil Slab SCRATCH AND ATTACH!!! –Clay shrinks as water leaves it. –Score, slip, and smooth joints