Firing Up Creativity
Amount Requested: $1,000.00 Number of Students Reached: 1,350+ through 2035
The TGIF Selection Committee appreciated this teacher’s description of their unique project.
Type a brief description of your project.
With this project we plan to construct a raku kiln to highlight and enhance the high school ceramics program. Unlike our traditional kilns, a raku kiln will provide students with an innovative, hands-on firing experience to actively engage in the firing process. Raku is a unique process for firing ceramic pieces in which students rapidly heat pots to a high temperature, remove the pieces while still superheated, and place them in a container of combustible materials, igniting the materials. A lid is placed over the container causing the fire to burn off the oxygen in the container, which produces a reduction atmosphere, resulting in rapid chemical changes and reactions in the glazes used to finish the pots. The end result is a beautiful one-of-a-kind piece of artwork. Our primary goal is to build a raku kiln to introduce students to the raku firing process, fostering creativity and experimentation. However, we also have more ambitious long-term goals, such as using the kiln to integrate multiple disciplines (science, history, & art) through hands-on learning experiences. We also plan to provide opportunities for students to showcase their work in school and community exhibitions, so that we can increase awareness of the arts and encourage greater enrollment and participation in the classes offered in our school.
Why is this project needed for your school?
Currently, students in our ceramics program have limited exposure to alternative firing techniques and traditional electric kilns do not offer real-time engagement with the firing process. A raku kiln will fill this gap by allowing students to actively participate, experiment, and develop critical thinking skills as they observe the effects of fire, smoke, and glaze chemistry on their work in a highly engaging process. Additionally, our ceramics program is in the early stages of growth and we hope to leverage a raku kiln to build awareness and draw new students to the program.
What is the projected long-term effect of this project?
We hope that this project will have the greatest long-term impact on students by enhancing their creativity and problem-solving skills. Raku firing is a process that few adults have the opportunity to experience and would be a boon for our students. These hands-on firing experiences will give students opportunities to develop a deeper understanding of ceramics while building strong art portfolios that can support future college and career opportunities. As mentioned, we hope this project will enrich the art curriculum by introducing advanced ceramics techniques and increasing student engagement. The ability to host raku workshops will strengthen school and community connections, showcasing student achievements and encouraging participation in the arts. Additionally, a well-developed and visible ceramics program will enhance the school’s reputation and attract future students to the art program. At the district level, the kiln will create opportunities for educational partnerships with local artists, colleges, and community organizations. By establishing a sustainable ceramics program, the district can continue to provide innovative artistic experiences for students, ensuring long-term enrichment & growth in the arts. Our project objectives are as follows: - Build a functional, raku kiln for student use. - Introduce students to the raku firing process, fostering creativity and experimentation. - Use the kiln to integrate science, history, & art through hands-on learning experiences. - Provide opportunities for students to showcase their work in school and community exhibitions. Success will be measured through: - Student Participation & Engagement – Tracked through class participation, reflections, and surveys. - Quality & Creativity of Student Work – Assessed through student portfolios, critiques, & exhibitions. - Community Involvement – Evaluated by attendance at student exhibitions & participation in school or community art events.
Timeline of project implementation/completioN:
1. Secure funding and materials, by May 2025 2. Construct raku kiln, by August 2025 3. Begin integrating raku process & projects into high school curriculum, 2025-26 school year 4. Conduct first raku firing, Fall 2025 5. Student exhibitions/showcase, by Spring 2026.
Project Budget:
Kiln Construction Materials: - Propane burner (high-BTU burner for raku firing) - $26.99 - Kiln shelf (for placing pottery in kiln) - $47.58 - Fire bricks (for insulation and kiln base) - $22.50 - Nichrome wire (to attach insulation to kiln walls) - $30.18 - Ceramic fiber blanket (high-temperature insulation for kiln walls/lid) - $180 - Metal framework (steel mesh or drum for kiln body) - $29.84 - Propane tanks & hose with regulator (fuel source for firing) - $245.95 - Temperature gauge (pyrometer) (to monitor kiln temperature) - $119 Kiln materials total: $720.96 Safety Equipment: - Heat-resistant gloves (welders' or kiln gloves for handling hot pieces) - $62.97 - Long-handled tongs (for removing pottery from the kiln) - $129.20 - Protective masks (respirators for smoke and fumes) - $19.93 - Fire extinguisher (for safety precautions) - $63.24 Safety equipment total: $275.34 Ceramics & Glazing Supplies: - Metal trash cans with lids (for post-firing reduction chamber) - $59.94 - Raku clay (high thermal-shock resistant clay) - $81 - Raku glazes (glazes designed for rapid cooling and reduction effects) - $160 Ceramics & glazing supplies total: $300.94 Grand Total: $1,297.24 (Additional funds beyond $1,000 will be provided by local community foundations and/or the art budget)
Listening Center
Amount Requested: $1,000.00 Number of Students Reached: 40+
This teacher's application was very well-written, detailed, and showed the impact it would have on their students.
I want to expand the collection of stories available in our Tonies listening center to provide my Pre-K students with more opportunities to engage with books in a meaningful and independent way. By adding a variety of stories—ranging from classic tales to diverse and inclusive narratives—I hope to spark their curiosity, imagination, and love for storytelling. My goal is for students to see books as a source of joy, comfort, and adventure, fostering a lifelong love of reading. To accomplish this, I plan to introduce new Tonies that align with our themes, seasons, and student interests, ensuring they are both engaging and educational. I also want to create a listening center routine where children can explore stories at their own pace, strengthening their comprehension and listening skills while nurturing a deep appreciation for books. By making the listening experience interactive.
This project is needed for my school because fostering a love of stories and books at an early age is essential for building strong literacy foundations. By expanding the selection of Tonies for our listening center, I can provide my Pre-K students with a wider variety of engaging, high-quality stories that spark their imagination, enhance their listening skills, and support language development. Many young learners benefit from hearing stories read aloud, especially those who are still developing early literacy skills. The listening center also promotes independence and allows students to explore books in a way that suits their learning styles. Additionally, having more stories available ensures that all students have access to diverse books that reflect different cultures, experiences, and perspectives. This exposure helps to foster empathy, curiosity, and a deeper appreciation for storytelling. By investing in this project, I aim to create an inviting and interactive literacy-rich environment where my students develop a lifelong love of books, setting them up for future success in reading and learning.
The long-term effects of expanding the Tonies listening center will be profound for my students, school, and district. For my students, this project will foster a deep love for storytelling, books, and literacy, laying a strong foundation for future reading success. By engaging with stories in an interactive way, they will develop stronger listening comprehension, vocabulary, and language skills, which are critical for early literacy development. Additionally, the exposure to diverse stories will encourage social-emotional growth by helping children understand different perspectives, cultures, and emotions. At the school level, this project will enhance literacy instruction by providing a consistent and engaging tool that supports various learning styles. It will also create a more inclusive learning environment where all students, regardless of their reading ability, can access stories in a meaningful way. The listening center can serve as a model for other classrooms, encouraging a school-wide focus on fostering a love of books and storytelling. For the district, the long-term impact includes better-prepared early learners who enter kindergarten with a strong foundation in language and literacy. Strengthening early literacy skills contributes to long-term academic success, potentially improving overall reading proficiency rates across grade levels. This project aligns with district goals of promoting early childhood literacy and ensuring equitable access to high-quality learning resources.
Timeline of project implementation/completion:
This project will be implemented throughout the entire school year, serving as a continuous resource for literacy development in my Pre-K classroom. Since this project is designed to be an ongoing literacy resource, it will continue beyond the school year, growing and adapting to support future students in their love for storytelling and books.
Project BudgeT:
Tonies - (each is priced between 17.99-19.99)
Angelina Ballerina, Arthur, Cap'n Dreambeard, Corduroy, Despicable Me, Dino Ranch, Mater, Lightning McQueen, Finding Dory, Finding Nemo, Inside Out, Jasmine, Monsters Inc., Ratatouille, Soul, The Jungle Book, Tinker Bell, Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Jessie, Wish, Doggyland, Eloise, Egyptian Mythology, Greek Mythology, Annie Oakley, John Henry, Spooky tales, Fun with spot, giraffes can't dance, guess how much i love you, how to train your dragon, king of kindergarten, kung fu panda, Laurie berkner, Laurie berkner 2, Leos day : routines, LMNOPeas, Love Monster, Lunar New Year, Make way for ducklings, mia miffy mindfulness, nature sounds, amazon rainforest, astronaut, dinosaur, horse, octopus, penguin, whale, paddington, peter rabbit, pinkalicious, super why!, the velveteen rabbit, Tiny chef, we're going on a bear hunt, wild kratts, west african tales; irish tales.
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