-
Stacy Van Buskirk/svanbuskirk@cherokeescout.com Zayden Wallace, a rising fifth-grader, works closely blending the clay around the mouth of his pinch pot face during Mike Lalone’s class in the 21st Century Program at Andrews Elementary School on June 24. -
Stacy Van Buskirk/svanbuskirk@cherokeescout.com Addie Luther, a rising fifth-grader at Andrews Middle School, works on the fine details of her pottery face during class on June 24.
Mike Lalone, resident potter, is teaching a diverse group of students the fundamentals in pottery at the 21st Century Program at Andrews Elementary School, Ranger Elementary and Murphy Middle School this summer.
The program is a federally funded grant initiative for students who attend Title 1 schools. The program is STEAM-based, aligned with academic standards and enrichment activities. STEAM stands for Science, Technology, ELA, Arts and Math.
Dav Ann Hubbard, director of the county’s 21st Century Program, said the program was at Ranger Elementary/Middle School two weeks ago and Murphy Middle School last week.
Students had classes in pottery, Appalachian studies, physical education and musicals during the program at Andrews.
The 21st Century Program was founded about 20 years ago in Cherokee County Schools as only a high school program. Elementary and middle schools were introduced later.
“Knowing there is a need to provide quality afternoon activities for students has been the focus for the past 15 years,” Hubbard said. “We are fortunate teachers are able to help with it because then they already know the student’s strengths and areas they need to work on, which makes it an extension of the school day.”
She said summer classes are lots of fun for students because they get to participate in enrichment and STEAM activities as well as physical fitness which is important and included in every activity.
Lalone worked alongside his grandson, Deven Weeks, who he taught pottery techniques to at a young age.
Lalone worked as a pottery teacher at Dr. Phillips High School in Orlando, Fla., for 21 years and has taught courses at Tri-County Community College and John C. Campbell Folk School. He teaches pottery at Young Harris (Ga.) Community College, where he will be holding courses in August.
One of Lalone’s classes at Andrews Elementary was a diverse group of students from grade 4-8, teaching them importance of blending on the faces made from pinch pots.
“I noticed the interest the kids had in clay, especially hands-on and how it is able to provoke them to think of different and fun ideas rather than sitting at a keyboard,” Lalone said about the program. “We talked about the process, how it is not instant gratification. Pottery is a process, and I would constantly remind them about the fundamentals.”
Deidre Davis, art teacher at Andrews Elementary, said she loved seeing the students in the summer and getting to see them have fun.
“I love getting to know the kids better and doing STEAM activities with them,” she said. “We’ve learned so much, and got to work with new tools like Strawbee’s, pre-cut straws used to build and design different structures.”