For two years now my fourth graders have been taking part in Milwaukee Empty Bowls. An organziation that holds an annuel event selling bowls and funds go to local food pantries. This year due to the timing of it my school shall be holding our own selling event in honor. I also decide to do this to get the students more engaged and aware of the needs of others. So far so good.
Here they are starting the bowls. I found slip molds the easiest and quickest method to achieve the form. First day student just simple focus on this task. I used these bowls I got from the dollar store and they worked well.
Next week students go to decorate. I showed them three different methods of decoration. Additive, subtractive, and impressed. I also demonstrated how to add a foot as a bonus feature. I gave them complete decorative freedom but did warn to not over do it and to be careful to not go to deep.
Down side to molding is breaking. I sadly did not remove the plastic bowl in time for this poor bowl. BUT luckily I was prepared and made extras and the student was a trooper and came to decorate the extra.
Now we dry and fire!
And success!! No one blew up! Once the bowls are fired, I use a small slow cooker I found to melt some wax and coat the bottom for glazing!
Glazing is one of my favorite things. It can be so much fun and I pretty much explain three simple rules for glazing. 1. Glaze the inside and edge first. 2. Don't waste glaze, it is not cheap. 3. Don't glaze the bottom. Even though there is wax, it breaks rule 2 to glaze the bottom. But as I said, students go to town. I do put the glaze into 4 small bottles, one for each color and a set for each table, I found to spread at the tables. That way students have more access, share and don't steal from other tables. I do tell them they can mix BUT in water cups I have and not in the bottles.
Before I fire though, I do a coat of clear onto some that might of missed some spots. But...
The end result is amazing. And I hope all sell.
