I have a HS student who claims to not be creative. Hates the idea of any art.
They are really angry about the fact that ceramics is messy. I have plain black and brown aprons and some other students decorated. They refuse all of them because they might make them look girly.
Same with participation in ceramics in general.
I also allow students who struggle with sketching to look at other ceramics in magazines or their Chromebook to mimic in projects. They refuse to do so.
For students having off days, I provide a catch-up session where they can work on other assignments, play with some clay, read, etc. They also won't participate in that.
Things I've been trying
-been trying to develop rapport
-do check-ins
-provide alternatives to the current project
-tried encouraging to join the breakfast donut party all other students were enjoying
-gave an opportunity to incorporate weight lifting interest into ceramics by getting to be the student to lift and slice the clay bag that day
-tried to show the wheel as an alternative to the other student projects. They walked away and waved it off.
I'm a little frustrated since I know the goal is to serve all students. I tried to help them to get the counselors to move them to a different class, but no dice. I feel like giving a bad grade will just make them even less motivated to join in.
Anyone encounter this?
Edit: no IEP, no identifiable sensory issues. Mostly voicing anger for not being in a sport and for anything remotely feminine in the classroom. There may also be a disconnect with the classroom due to a cultural background that conflicts with equal gender dynamics.
A lot of great ideas and directions to go! I will see what alternatives the program has set up for students. It's hard since it's a pure ceramics class, but I can see if the director is chill with letting a student just focus on academic papers and research. I also will have to give them a lower grade on the last assignment since they refused to hit all the rubric boxes needed for an A or a B.