Blair Thallmayer attended bowl-making and glazing sessions as part of the Empty Bowl Project. [1] They had prior experience making bowls from clay which allowed them to help their peers. [2] They learned that bowls can be used to tell stories, and felt this activity could help students develop expression and teach other subjects in an interactive way. [3] Involving students in projects like this can get them involved in community service through donation, while learning teamwork and helping others.

1. Empty Bowl Project Reflection
Name Blair Thallmayer Cohort 2
I attended the Bowl-making Session on September 24, 2007 at 4 pm.
I attended the Bowl-glazing Session on Monday, October 1, 2007 at 4 pm.
What technical (media, process) understandings were gained through this
experience?
Before attending the bowl-making session, I had previously made
bowls from clay and had learned how to use most of the tools involved, as
well as most of the processes. I worked at the Cheltenham Art Center, this
past summer, and one of our activities was to make bowls like this. My prior
experience with this activity led me to help others in my cohort to complete
theirs since many of my peers did not know or understand the tools and
processes. I knew how to cut the square out of clay, pound it into a circle to
remove air bubbles, roll it out, place plastic wrap inside and mold it into the
shape of a bowl. I feel that the technical process I learned more about this
time involved smoothing the clay out with a “bone.” The media aspect that I
learned the most about involved the telling of a story on the bowl. I had
never thought of the bowl-making in that context but soon realized just how
valuable of an activity this could be.

2. Empty Bowl Project Reflection
What understandings were gained about using this media in the
elementary classroom for integrating art with other subject areas?
When it comes to the classroom and integrating art, I feel an activity
like this can go a long way to developing expressionistic skills for the
students. Expressing yourself can be very tough and tricky for young
students who may not possess the vocabulary to truly get their point across.
Being able to tell a story through visuals can greatly aid students who fall
into the previous categories. An activity like this also teaches students
about processes involving clay, which could help them down the road when it
comes to other molding, clay, or artistic activities. An activity like this,
especially on the story-telling side, can help students learn about subjects
(that they may find boring) in a fun and interactive way. Sitting in a
classroom and hearing about Christopher Columbus would be much different
than making a bowl or participating in a similar activity wherein the students
learn about Columbus as they draw his ships, or mold them out of clay. They
would retain the knowledge, without realizing it, and have fun at the same
time.
What understandings were gained about this project as a means of

3. Empty Bowl Project Reflection
involving students in community service?
While working at the art center this past summer, I learned about
empty bowl parties, wherein students, professionals, and anybody interested
make bowls just like this and donate them to the party. At the event, people
come to buy the bowls, and all of the proceeds go to charities. Students
could learn about subjects in a fun and interactive way while simultaneously
taking part in community service by helping to donate to charities. An
activity like this also helps students learn to work together and help each
other out – both of which are key components of community service.
Students could also make bowls like this and donate them to those less
fortunate as either ornaments or actual eating bowls, depending on the type
and style. Involving students in community service can be difficult because
the term “community service” sounds like something they are being forced to
do against their will. It would be much easier to involve students in
community service through a fun activity like this as opposed to raking
leaves. Therefore, an activity like this would be beneficial to their
involvement in the community, primarily because they would take part in a
service without knowing.