Below is an archive of polymer clay teaching tips submitted by our members. Do you have a handy tip or technique that you'd like to share? Submit it to the site and see yourself published on the world wide web!

Polymer Clay Teaching Tips:

All tips have been submitted by NPCG Members, based on their own teaching experience. If you find an inaccurate or inappropriate tip on this page, please contact the Webmaster to have it corrected or removed.

Name: Laurel Nevans
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
url: http://www.artistcrafts.com
Date: 06 Dec 2005

Always have a written lesson plan that includes objectives (what you want to teach) and procedures (how you're going to teach it.) Collecting written evaluations at the end of a workshop can help you determine areas you taught well, and those in which you need to improve.

Name: Patty Barnes
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
url: http://www.clay-essentials.com
Date: 07 Dec 2005

Watch and listen to your students. Look for the person who is behind or idle. That means the slower worker or the fast worker. Is the slow worker, really slow, or just not understanding what to do next? Speak with her/him quietly to see if they need help or clarification. Is the fast worker ready for you to privately tell them the next step or offer them an alternative application/technique? Try to repeat your instructions at least twice and also re-word the statement or ask if you are being understood. This is called "checking for understanding" and asking someone to repeat back what you have said will let you know if they do. The repetition will help those who might have been absorbed in their task, or talking or otherwise not paying attention.