SCHERERVILLE | Forest Ridge Academy fifth-grade teachers Chris Osika and Thespena Panos had their students begin their recent study unit on Medieval Times from the ground up, by building castles out of clay.
Guest instructor Jeremy South, of Indianapolis, provided students some visuals and background information regarding the characteristics of a castle from this historic time period.
Students were then left to sculpt, which included using a pottery wheel to complete a tower in their vision of the perfect structure.
Students sculpted, detailed, and painted their creations before they were taken to South’s studio to be fired and completed before being returned to the students.
“An experience like this is extremely important in the education of children, because it makes a lasting impression on the students," Osika said. "When we study castle structures in a couple of weeks, they will recall everything they discussed with our guest today. Learning that takes place outside my classroom is not only valuable, but also necessary in order to provide a unique educational experience.”
Panos agreed, and was happy to have her students working with clay., “This is an experience that the students will always remember, because it taught much more than some simple information about castles.”
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