When it is time for my students clay artwork to be fired in the kiln, I always know that a few will not make it out in one piece. My students look forward to working with clay and learning new techniques. They spend many class periods perfecting their work. I always try to remind them about the potential for an air bubble to form in their clay if they make something and roll it back up.
Even with all the coaching and reminding, something always breaks in the kiln. I know this is frustrating for my students; to work for many class periods on something only for it to emerge from the kiln in pieces.
Below is one way I try to salvage the hard work of my students. In fourth grade we made face jugs: These two student's jugs did not survive the kiln. Instead of throwing them away I had them glaze their jugs like everyone else. After the glazing process is complete, the students arrange their pieces on a piece of mat board and glue them down. The result is a completely different piece of art! These students, even though there jug was not in one piece, left the art room with smiles and were very proud of their creations!
This goes right with a book we read this year in 6th grade AIG, called A Single Shard. Have you ever read it? A master potter sends pottery to be be viewed by the emperor, but the pottery is broken and only a single shard makes it to the capital to be viewed.
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