Where do I find the bags of clay for the slab projects?
Bags of clay are stored in the Science Lab. The bags can be found under the counter on your left-hand side as you enter the Science Lab from the Copy Room.
Where do I find my bisque pieces (fired pieces)?
All bisque pieces (fired pieces) are stored in a plastic bin in the kiln room. The tag used on the drying board(s) will be in the plastic bin to label each classes pieces.
What is a bisque piece?
A bisque piece is a clay piece that has been fired in the kiln.
Where do I find the glazes and brushes?
Glazes and brushes are stored in a top cabinet in the Science Lab. The cabinet is on your left-hand side as you enter the Science Lab from the Copy Room.
Where do I find the sample pieces?
Sample pieces are stored in plastic bins in the kiln room. There is a plastic bin for each grade level. The bins are labeled:
- "K" - Kindergarten
- "1" - First Grade
- "2" - Second Grade
- "3" - Third Grade
- "4" - Fourth Grade
- "5" - Fifth Grade
The bins are stored on the second shelf from the top in the middle column of shelves.
Where can I find the templates used for the projects?
Templates are stored in a plastic bin in the kiln room. The template bin is stored on the first shelf from the bottom in the middle column of shelves.
Where can I find a list of the grade level projects?
Scrap clay is the left over clay from the slab projects. Scrap clay needs to be stored in the clay bags with the wire twist closing the bag. Bags of scrap clay are stored next to the bags of slab clay in the Science Lab.
What projects use conditioned scrap clay?
All pinch and coil projects use conditioned scrap clay.
Why do I need to condition the scrap clay?
It is highly recommended that the scrap clay be conditioned for the all pinch and coil projects. Conditioning the scrap clay softens and moistens the clay so that the clay is easier to work with. Scrap clay should be conditioned at least one day in advance.
What is "conditioned scrap clay"?
"Conditioned scrap clay" is balls of scrap clay that have been kneaded and/or pounded to remove any trapped air pockets. Conditioned scrap clay should be stored in a clay bag with a wet towel to moisten the clay. Please remove and rinse the wet towel once the conditioned scrap clay has been used.
Where can I condition the scrap clay?
You can condition the scrap clay in the Science Lab at least one day before your scheduled project. Please check with the front office for availability of the Science Lab.
If the Science Lab is not available, you can always take a bag of scrap clay home and condition the clay at home.
Where do I pick up my finished pieces?
Clay Docent Volunteers will be notified when their glazed class pieces have been fired and ready for pick up. All finished pieces will be in a plastic bin in the kiln room. The labels used on the drying boards will be in the plastic bin to label class pieces.
The kiln room is also the Art Docent Room and the Book Room. The kiln room is the room with the double doors next to the lunch box drop off cart next to the office.
How do I know what day my class has Clay Docent?
Who schedules the Clay Docent lessons?
The teachers schedule their class Clay Docent lessons taking into consideration the school's master schedule (including assemblies, STAR testing, fire drills, etc.), their own classroom schedule and curriculum. However, there may be other unforeseen conflicts which will require revisions to the schedule in which case you will need to contact the Clay Docent Committee immediately, so we can re-schedule your lesson.
How do I contact the Clay Docent Committee?
You can email the Clay Docent Committee at BHClayDocent@yahoo.com.
How do I know who the other Clay Docent volunteers are in my class?
We give each classroom's Clay Docent volunteers a list of their classroom volunteers. Your teacher will also have a list.
How do you teach the lesson for a combo-class (i.e.; K/1, 1/2, 2/3, 3/4, 4/5)?
Since each grade level will be making different project for the sculpt session, we recommend that each grade level have their own set of parent volunteers. As one group, go over the basics - clay technique being taught, how to use the tools, what do you do for clean-up. Break up into grade-level when actually teaching the project.
What do I do if I can't get enough parent volunteers to help teach the lesson?
If your class does not have enough parent volunteers (4-5 recommended), send out an email to all the families in your class and "cc" your teacher notifying the class that you will have to CANCEL the lesson if you are unable to get more parent volunteers.
If no more parent volunteers step up, notify the Clay Docent Committee that you need to cancel the lesson.
What do I do if a student is absent on the day the class is sculpting the project?
One of the parent volunteers can sculpt the project for the student or you can have the student sculpt their own project at a later date. Keep in mind if the student sculpts the project at a later date, their piece may not be fired in time for the class glaze session.
Even if a student is not absent on the day of the sculpting, we recommend that one of the parent volunteers sculpts the project in case a new student is added to the class. In this case the new student will have a piece to glaze during the glazing session.
What if we have a new student who was not at the school when we sculpted the project?
If one of the parent volunteers made an extra piece at the sculpt session of the project, the new student can glaze that piece.
If you have an extra piece made by a student who has left the school, the new student can glaze that piece.
With the influx of new students in the middle of the school year, it is a good idea if a parent volunteer makes an extra piece if your class has room for a new student.
