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Post by josiebrat on Apr 24, 2015 2:07:06 GMT
I have checked everywhere on this site so I believe this is the appropriate place to discuss this subject. If not please let me know. Recently I mentioned that I'm doing an after school program for 1 hour each week with kids from k-3. I'm working with a class size of 8 with one assistant. We have been working on small projects such as felting over an egg for Easter, felted balls, and today felted soaps. So far they love it and I too am having so much fun teaching. Anyway, I was in a jewelry store this week and was asked if I had interest to do a summer program for kids. The program could run a couple of weeks at a time 3-4 hours a day. The ages of kids would be based on my suggestion. I would only be able to do 3 days a week at most. For those of you with more experience in this area do you think 3-4 hours a day would work for kids and if not what is your suggestion based on your experience. I'm thinking 3-4 hours would be too much for the younger kids, but better for 3rd grade and up based on project base. Any feedback on cost per class and how you determine that.
Thanks Josephine
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Post by zed on Apr 24, 2015 9:55:38 GMT
I can't speak for everyone else outside the US, but I don't have the foggiest idea what ages K-3, 3rd grade or any other are.
I suppose it depends on what you do and how you split it up to keep kids interested. Will it be a different set of kids each time or will they come back?
3-4 hours sounds like a long enough amount of time to work in stages and take breaks.
Cost would include price of materials, plus your time there per hour or day, plus time spent preparing. And if you have to cover living expenses etc.
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Post by Frances on Apr 24, 2015 13:27:15 GMT
Pricing for your time is the difficult decision. I would try and find other Art/Day Camps in your area and see what they charge per child for a class and find out if that is just for instruction or if it includes supplies and/or snacks. You probably already have the basic supplies for 8 children. (Plastic to cover tables, bubble wrap, water/soap bottles, etc.) For a 4 hour class lunch or a snack would be needed which you could have the child bring. Our Grandchildren take art classes here www.bluerabbitgallery.com/class-schedule.html
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Post by josiebrat on Apr 24, 2015 14:51:21 GMT
Thanks Zed and Frances,
Zed- k-3 is actually kindergarten through 3rd grade in US or (5-8/9 year olds). For this store front class I might be better to start with kids that are at least 7 and up, as my only concern is the time. I've noticed even with the 6-7 year olds they are good for about 45 minutes then they want to move around more. I think the key is keeping them busy and working on projects they enjoy.
Frances/Zed- I am doing some research and checking other Day Camps in the area, as well as neighbors who have children in school this age. Yes, I'm covered for the basic supplies now and will just have to determine a lesson plan then figure out cost of supplies needed. In my current class the supply fee is included based on what I suggested, and i would do the same for the day camp as the kids would not have access to supplies in this jewelry store. I will also check out the site you listed. Thanks and I always appreciate the timely, good feedback from members of this forum.
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Post by MTRuth on Apr 24, 2015 14:53:34 GMT
I did some summer arts and crafts classes but it was a free program. I only had 1 to 1 1/2 hour classes. The ages were about 5 to 10 years old. The younger ones won't last 3 hours in my experience. I am surprised that this store does not already have a pricing or payment schedule already set up for teachers.
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Post by Pandagirl on Apr 24, 2015 18:34:14 GMT
That sounds like fun Josie. I have grandchildren three and five. And Ruth is right the younger ones don't have that long of an attention span. Another consideration is what you'd be able to accomplish in that time. If it's a one day class then you should think in terms of the steps necessary to complete a specific project. It would be no fun to take a class and not have something finished to show for it. As far as pricing, don't forget the supplies. I taught a beginners class last year and I supplied most of the tools. They were supposed to be charged a small fee for the supplies, but when I got paid they hadn't charged the students for them. Lesson learned.
Good luck. Let us know how it turns out!
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Post by Shepherdess on Apr 24, 2015 21:09:05 GMT
yes, remember to have a fee for materials included when you present your offer. You never said if it would be the same kids for a week or different kids each day. A jewelry store seems like an odd place to do wet felting classes.
You can have them do small pictures using prefelt on a background they make themselves. If you make them so the fit in a large freezer bag it would work well. A small change purse with a flap and a button and loop closure would work. The three things you have already done could be done again. or are some of the kids likely to be the same?
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Post by josiebrat on Apr 24, 2015 22:23:41 GMT
Dear Ann, Marilyn, Ruth - it would be the same kids for a week or 2 wk program. I can actually propose the ages I would prefer to work with. I do think 3 hours for the younger ones could be too much as you're right about their attention span but maybe I can propose 1-1/2 -2 max depending on their age x 3 days week. We can easily accomplish small projects within this time frame. Right now the 1 hour goes by fast and the kids are always asking if they can stay longer. Of course there is always one or 2 that you can lose, but I have managed to keep majority of them interested in their projects. The key is having them focused on a project that they want to take home.
Agree Small purse and landscape would be great projects. I also have felt all key chains on my list. If I work with the older kids we can incorporate some beads into the project which would benefit the store. Currently I have invoiced the school separately for supply fee. Correct I need to work out all details clearly. Will keep you posted if more develops from this. Yes jewelry store odd place, but this one is set up more like a learning center and I think the owner has no idea what she ps getting into. I told her it requires use of water and could be messy, depending on the age. Thanks for all the positive feedback.
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Post by Frances on Apr 25, 2015 4:17:18 GMT
This is more of bead store that sells jewelry marking supplies? Key chains would be great - they could make the felt part and then string beads to tie onto it. They could also make balls that could be strung on a cord to make a bracelet or necklace.Did you see the video on using plastic easter eggs to make felt balls - have not idea now where I saw it. Could also make cat balls. The kids could get the roving around the plastic golf ball and partially felted and then you could take them home to put them through the washing machine.
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Post by josiebrat on Apr 28, 2015 20:17:09 GMT
Hi Frances, and sorry for the delayed response. Yes this is a bead store that sells supplies and also offers classes. One reason why I like the idea of doing a class here if all details can be worked out. I did not see the video on using plastic easter eggs to make felt balls, but this was actually the first project I taught in my class. It was great fun and all the kids took them home. The cat balls sound interesting. I think my first project will be doing felted balls to make into bracelet or necklace where we can also combine beads from the store. I'm doing the same think with the young kids now, except I'm the one adding the string and bead accessories to their project. I would prefer to do the whole class with the older students and teach them how to string and add the bead accessories. Thanks for your ideas as it gives me more things to think about. Will keep you posted. Josie
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Post by josiebrat on May 2, 2015 15:55:25 GMT
Hello everyone, Hope your Saturday is going well. Good news is I worked out a proposal with the Beading store to teach a beaded necklace class. The beaded necklace will also incorporate beads from the store. The store actually has a separate room to teach the class so that's good news. I'm finishing up another sample which I will photograph so the owner can advertise the class. I'm starting out with 4 hours, split 2-1/2 hours and 1-1/2 as the beads need to dry before finishing. The 1st session will cover making/felting the beads, and 2nd half assembly using nylon cord, and clasp. At first I thought I could do in 3 hours, but if it takes me 2 hours to make 25 beads then it might take a beginner longer. I can always adjust with the next class. By the way, I'm using mainly merino wool top, but it also takes longer. Do you think the merino batts would work or is this just too hairy? Regardless they all produce a little hair but i've found the batts that i've used previously produce a little more hairiness than when I use fine merino. For the class I will put color packs together, and the store owner will add in the beads so it will save time. If you have any other thoughts let me know. I will send you a photo separately of some of the beads I made yesterday. Josie
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Post by josiebrat on May 2, 2015 15:57:59 GMT
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Post by MTRuth on May 2, 2015 16:29:08 GMT
Josie, your beads are really good. I have found that it takes two to three times as long to teach something as it does for me to make something. You could cut down on the number of beads if it seems to be taking too long.
I have used short fiber merino batts for beads and cords and it felts really quickly and not hairy at all. The beads come out perfectly and really smooth. But it is expensive.
Have fun with your class!
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Post by Pandagirl on May 2, 2015 16:41:38 GMT
Josie, the class sounds great! I agree with Ruth, merino is probably the least hairy, especially the short merino batts. Keep us posted on how the class goes! It looks like a lot of fun.
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Post by Frances on May 3, 2015 13:23:29 GMT
Love what you have planned - it is wonderful the children are being started in the arts at an early age.
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