Rachel Hawver’s second graders at Newark Middle School so enjoyed collaborating with Newark High School pottery students last November in making ceramic turkey plaques that they were delighted for the chance to do it again.
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They went to NHS to work on another timely holiday another project May 1st with Broach’s Pottery, Advanced Pottery and one Studio Art student this time to make special gifts for their moms ceramic hearts.
The high schoolers helped the second graders fashion the hearts out of clay and put their own words and imaginative designs on them which were later glazed and kiln-dried by Broach’s students.
Broach and Hawver watched, serving only as facilitators as the high school students instructed the second graders.
“What makes this collaboration so special is the way our students are connecting with older peers in the community,” Hawver said later.
In May of 2024, her second-grade class participated in a similar collaborative project with Broach’s students and made colorful clay hearts to five to their moms in time for Mother’s Day.
“They aren’t just making pottery; they’re making friends,” Hawver continued. “Over and over, they talked about how much they enjoyed spending time with the high school helpers. It’s clear that those relationships mean a lot and make the whole experience even more fun and meaningful.
Here’s what a few of Hawver’s students said after their recent experience at NHS.
Jaliza _ “I enjoy it so much because I make friends with the high schoolers that help me. I really liked when I got to make a monster.”
Kaia _ “I enjoy it so much because it was really fun meeting the high school friends.”
Ashton _ “I really love pottery because we get to make sure cool stuff and make friends with the people who help us”.
Sydney _ “One thing that I like about going back to pottery was getting to see our high school friends again.”
Daisy _ “My favorite thing about pottery is that we have so much fun.”
Not only did the second graders enjoy the experience, but Broach maintains it’s an equally enjoyable exercise for her students.
Broach delivered the colorful heart creations to Hawver’s second graders May 9th, just in time for them to take home to their moms for Mother’s Day.