Teaching a Class

[kitaye]

I have been asked to consider teaching a class on carving at next years Practicum (Society for Creative Anachronism hands on Arts and Sciences Event). I am still thinking about and need some input from people who have taught or taken classes before.

Things I have to plan on:
This will be taught to complete beginners.
No one will have tools or wood.
Most of my experience is chip carving.
It must be about a Medieval style.
It should be taught from a Medieval point of view.
The class con be no longer than 1 hr.
Need to create a handout.

Things I need your help on
Ideas for content.
Ideas for project. Preferably one that can be completed in the hour allotted.
Should I supply/ loan tools and wood? I don't know if I can charge for them.
What style should I focus on?

[Thor]

Hi Kitaye,

I noticed this thread, and since I have taught at a few SCA events, I will tell you what I think might work.
First, the handout can be lists of tools used in Medieval times, pictures of chip carving examples from medieval times and then a bit about how the style has remained present to today's carving styles.
The tool situation can be handled several ways, but I think to avoid personal costs that you may never recoop, I would make a pre-registration to your class neccessary and include a tool list requirement to each student.
Frankly, you may only get 2 students, but they might come prepared to learn.

The other thing I will add, is that it is acceptable to have basswood available to sell as the "materials" list at the class, and to charge a very small amount. SCA folks are very "self-taught-do-it-yourself" minded, and I have never found that they will pay much to learn at an SCA event. It is a good way to meet folks interested in taking classes outside of an event if you want to really teach them more at a later date.

No suggestions for an hour session other than just backing it down to a demonstration only. That way, the tools, materials and charges are mute.

If you want, you could simply allow those brave ones who want to try it, use your knife and make a few cuts on a practice board after the demonstration.

Your time is a gift. I'm sure some of them will greatly appreciate it.
Christina
aka Lady Thorkatla Manadottir , but not for years now.

[Donsexton]

I will get back to you on this.

[kitaye]

Thanks for the input Thor. It's good to hear from someone who has taught at these things before.

Someone suggested a simple camp stool so the students create something useful, but that is more woodworking not wood carving. As I understand it we have several wood working masters in the kingdom and figure they can do a better job than me at teaching woodworking.

I kind of like the idea of doing a demonstration but how in the world do I demo something like chip carving, or any carving, clearly enough that everyone sees and understands what I am doing?

[Donsexton]

I think you could go with some pre drawn patterns on the wood to save that time. You could make the design represent the organization in a simple way we must remember the one hour time limit. You could design the chip carving in such a way that you only use one tool. Teaching can be fun but the one hour time limit is the killer but still doeable. I say give it your best shot and have fun.

[Thor]

I think with an illustration from the middle ages that shows the use of the chip carving style, and simply doing a demo will work well. Remember that your class may simply crowd around a work table numbering less than 5 or 6 folks. Not everyone walks away from the other interests to the woodcarving.

I agree that you should stick to what you know, and not try the suggested stool. You are a carver, and woodworking was done by a different guild alltogether.

Good luck and let us see pictures. You know you have to wear period garb (clothing) don't you? It is fun.
Christina

[kitaye]

[QUOTE=Thor;440225
Good luck and let us see pictures. You know you have to wear period garb (clothing) don't you? It is fun.
Christina[/QUOTE]

Hee, yea. I have a couple of outfits already and have at least one more in mind for my time period. I'll get hubby to take photos for ya.

[LMiller]

I am clueless about the events you describe but something sprung to mind. Even in medieval times, Fathers wanted to give dolls to their daughters. Maybe you could show how to carve a simple doll's head that could be added to a rag doll to make a little girl's doll extra special.

The other thing that leaps to my mind, is to carve something useful. Maybe one a stick with a notch in it for lifting a pot lid -- avoiding the inherent burn of touching the lid with fingers. Or tent pegs? Something like that might be medieval in their use...

Good Luck!

LMiller

[Robert Cahill]

I do not know much about this group but I was once asked to carve a spoon that could be tucked in a belt as I was told that was the only type of eating instrument they used back then

[kitaye]

Spoons are a good idea too, and something I am familiar with. I didn't even think of something that easy because it takes longer than an hour to complete. Maybe I can have some simple spoon blanks cut out and any that don't get used I'll use myself.