West Seattle Blog…

West Seattle Montessori teacher gets kids fired up, with pottery

March 13, 2013 at 5:04 am | In West Seattle news, West Seattle schools | 13 Comments

(Photos by Nick Adams for WSB)
It was a lesson to remember. West Seattle Montessori teacher Matt Whittemore invited us to stop by as he fired up a hands-on learning experience in his backyard last Saturday. Whittemore’s class (the Horned Owls 1-3) has been studying early man; their culminating project was glazing pottery and seeing it fired in a backyard kiln and pots in the Raku pottery method. WSB contributing photojournalist Nick Adams captured the scenes.

“Our unit of study coincided with our study of early man and his basic needs and our yearly school auction,” Whittemore explained. “During our class conversations, we talked about basic needs such as eating, shelter, and clothes and where those items came from. The goal was to get the students thinking about what it might have been like to have to discover everything. Humans only had their natural resources to learn, utilize, and adapt from. So, I did some research on the ‘Raku’ style of pottery and took on the project.”

“The kids made the pots in the classroom in small groups. We air-dried them and then Bethany Woll bisque-fired them to remove any moisture and prepare them for glazing.”

On Saturday, students glazed their pottery during a beautiful day for outdoor projects. According to their teacher: “The kids all glazed their own pottery pieces. Bethany and I operated the kiln, maintaining temp, watching the glazes liquefy, and moving the pieces to the ceramic pots for the final reduction.”

Students and parents watched as Whittemore and Woll loaded students’ work into the kiln.

Parents helped throw shredded paper and sawdust to create the fire and smoke, carefully covered to seal in the goodness.

The pottery was placed into a pot for post-fire reduction during the Raku process.

Summarized Whittemore: “At the end of the day, it was the process that mattered, the community, and the knowledge that there were a lot of happy kids that will remember this for a long time to come.”

13 Comments

1. Very cool!

   Comment by Jennifer — 7:36 am March 13, 2013 #

2. Awesome! What a great lesson-information, hands on work and fun all rolled into one. Way to go Mr. Whittemore!

   Comment by Jane — 7:44 am March 13, 2013 #

3. What a great project- we all had a wonderful time! Thanks so much!!!

   Comment by Kellie — 8:44 am March 13, 2013 #

4. One of the best teachers around! I am so proud of you and your kids and what you accomplished together.

   Comment by Kirsten — 11:37 am March 13, 2013 #

5. Hey Matt and kids way to go!!!!!

   Kap

   Comment by Kap — 11:46 am March 13, 2013 #

6. Way to go Mr. Whittemore and Horned Owls!! What a wonderful hands-on lesson. Love it!!

   Comment by Chihana — 11:57 am March 13, 2013 #

7. What a dedicated teacher to hold class at his home on a SATURDAY. West Seattle Montessori / West Seattle Academy: The only non-religious private school in West Seattle to nurture students from preschool (age 2.5) all the way through 8th grade. I am honored to have two children there and to be part of this fabulous, growing community.

   Comment by Melissa Overdorf — 12:25 pm March 13, 2013 #

8. I am Kaia’s grandma and I want to say “Thank You” for a job well done. Kaia was telling me all about this project when we talked on Sunday.

   Comment by Connie Wyan — 12:56 pm March 13, 2013 #

9. There are endless possibilities for students at West Seattle Montessori and Academy! I too absolutely love this school and watching our kids thrive!

   Comment by Maari Falsetto — 12:58 pm March 13, 2013 #

10. even though i could not attend to this very cool event i think that Mr.Whittermore did a spectaculer job and i can’t wait to see whats next! <3 ;)

    Comment by victoria ha — 7:35 pm March 14, 2013 #

11. Angus brought home a beautiful bowl and I of course (as any grandmother would) feel that it belongs in an art museum. It was fun listening to Angus and his sister, who also spent the day with her brother, talking about the process from beginning to end. Good Job!!!

    Comment by Anita Turner — 6:48 am March 15, 2013 #

12. mr. whittemore teaches from the mind AND the heart. we are very proud of him.

    Comment by dan and sharon — 9:24 am March 15, 2013 #

13. Matt! We were so excited to see this once Danny talked to nan! You’re a star, and we are so grateful to know you! You look so happy, and as the comments say, one of the most dedicated teachers. Proud of you!

    Comment by The garrison Family — 10:09 am March 16, 2013 #

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