[Nfb-krafters-korner] I need some help here

[Ramona Walhof]

Linda, I took a beginning pottery class a couple of years ago.  I would love 
to do some more, but when I get some other things done.

However, I was the only blind student, and the teacher was very relaxed 
about it.  I can't remember all the terminology but we learned to flatten 
the clay and make a slab pot.  Then we learned to flatten it with a thing 
like an automated rolling pin.  We learned to wind a rope around the pot to 
build it up, I think that was a coyle pot.  And some other things.  Of 
course, the end was on the potter's wheel, and the hardest part was 
centering the pot.  However, I loved the class.  The finishing was by 
dunking the pots, and mine came out as good as other people's.  Some added 
detail work, but I left mine alone.

The reason I go through all of this is just to tell you that you know the 
techniques.  Some students will want to feel what you are doing with your 
hands, but your explanations will also be important.  You will need to check 
their work with your hands, and they will need to know that they can do 
amazing things with their hands.  Some people don't like to get their hands 
dirty.  They have to get past that to be good potters, but you know that 
better than I do.  You may not want to cover as much stuff as fast as we 
did, especially if your students are not aggressive with their hands.  Some 
blind people have not been encouraged to make as good use of their hands as 
others, and it makes a lot of difference in their dexterity and success with 
crafts and lots of other things.

I think you should regard this as a great opportunity.  Be sure to let us 
know how it goes.  Oh yes, you might give some thought to the maximum number 
you can work with.  Four might be a good number, depending on how much time 
you have and how much you want to cover.  I think a class is better than 
tutoring, because the comments of the other students help each student to 
gage their own work.  They may not be good judges of what they are doing. 
If you have a sighted assistant, you can probably work with more students, 
but it will work best for you to be in charge.

Ramona
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "River Woman" <riverwoman at zoominternet.net>
To: "List for blind crafters and artists" <nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, September 09, 2010 7:28 PM
Subject: [Nfb-krafters-korner] I need some help here


> Hi friends,
> I have been approaced to teach a pottery class for blind students. I would 
> like to do it. What I need to do is design a class with a nifty name that 
> would be catchy and sound like a class you would like to take.
>
> I am thinking the name of this course should relate to what we experience 
> as artists/crafters who have sight loss.  Something that might include 
> "touch" in the title; and since it is working with clay, the title might 
> have something to do with "earth."  Does anyone feel inspired with a good 
> name for my class????? Help???
>
> At this time I do not know the target age for the participants. It may be 
> up to me to decide that and once I know the age range then I can plan how 
> many sessions we'll do and what we will make.
>
> I am very nervous about this though, because I have only been blind for 3 
> years. I have NO experience at teaching blind people anything, since I am 
> still learning HOW to do things myself. So, in addition to possible names 
> for this pottery course, if you have any other ideas for me as to HOW to 
> teach a blind person to make pottery I will be MOST grateful.
>
> As a participant on this list, I feel like I have a whole group of 
> advisors to turn to for help - that makes me not so afraid of tackling 
> this project.
> Thanks. Lynda Lambert
>
>
>
> Visit my website:  http://lyndalambert.com
>
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