| The recent downturn in the nation's economy | | | | or where to order potters wheel parts. |
| seems to hurt everywhere. In small school | | | | Regular elementary teachers might find the |
| districts throughout the United States | | | | amount of supplies needed for ceramic |
| superintendents and school boards are looking for | | | | intimidating. Another example is the various types |
| ways to save the taxpayers' money. | | | | of molds available for people creating ceramic |
| Unfortunately, elective classes are often the first | | | | sculptures. Does an elementary school teacher |
| areas in the curriculum to be cut. Art classes at | | | | need a hump mold to be a successful "art |
| the elementary level are deemed expendable. This | | | | instructor?" Remember that most colleges and |
| is truly sad because small children are natural | | | | universities instruct future elementary teachers on |
| artists, and we should encourage their love for | | | | how to properly teach reading, writing, and |
| creating. | | | | arithmetic. Where can a teacher with little art |
| Sometimes regular elementary teachers will try to | | | | training turn? |
| bring art into their classrooms after it is cut from | | | | One resource may be a high school art teacher |
| their school's curriculum. This is a commendable | | | | (hopefully, they still have a position). High school |
| thing to do. If a district gives up on art, it is nice | | | | art teachers receive formal training in ceramics so |
| to know that the educators within the district | | | | their knowledge will most likely be stronger than |
| realize its importance. The regular elementary | | | | an elementary teachers' knowledge of ceramics. |
| teacher at the fifth or sixth grade level who is | | | | A high school art teacher might be able to help an |
| willing to really take a go at art will need to | | | | elementary teacher learn how to use glaze |
| familiarize him or herself with ceramics. He or she | | | | pencils, or other tools for ceramic art. |
| might need to learn how to fix a pottery wheel, | | | | |