When I introduced clay to the students, I didn't tell them what to make, just encouraged them to explore it. The kindergarteners didn't even realize that the clay could be fired. After a couple weeks of general exploration, one student didn't want to put his creation back in to the tub, "Can I keep it? Please!" That's when I told him and the other students that this type of clay could be fired. You should have heard the excited shouts of glee! I'm serious.

I explained to them that I could fire their creations, with some limitations. Man that was hard trying to to explain to those five and six year-olds.

I discussed a few basic principles, and let them go.

It was funny because one little boy worked for a while on this "snow monster" and earnestly said, "I'm done. Now, will you go burn this?" So I told him that it had to dry out before I fired it in the kiln . . .