Some students come early to ceramics class. They open the bin of fresh clay and get to work right away. Others run into the studio, out of breath, but just on time. They throw their backpacks down in the hallway and stumble in, still pulling sweatshirts off over their heads, all sweaty from recess. Then there are always a few slightly late stragglers… “I needed to get my water bottle, Ms. Dunn.” “I was way out on the turf, and no one told us recess was over,” says another.

“Agoo!” I say, with some gusto in my voice. “Amee,” the students respond. And they know it is time to pay attention.

The students greatly enjoy this call and response, and it has helped me unify the students at the beginning of class. In sixth grade this year I am introducing the students to four different projects, all stemming from subjects I learned about at Witness Tree Institute.

First, students learn their Ghanaian Day Names and make their names out of clay coils on a slab. They are always excited to learn how to pronounce their names and are amazed that the weekday you were born on is so important in Ghana. Next, they learn about Ese Ne Tekrema, the tongue and teeth symbol of friendship, and they learn how to roll texture into the clay to give their piece some visual interest with pattern. When they glaze, they add vibrant color.

Funtunfunefu Denkyemfunefu is a symbol they are especially excited to study- what 12-year-old boy wouldn’t be fascinated by two crocodiles that share a stomach?! And who wouldn’t be proud to learn how to pronounce such a phrase? The students have a choice to make a sculpture that is very stylized, in the shape of the Adinkra symbol, or to make a realistic crocodile.

Sankofa is the final Adinkra symbol we study during our 6-week term, and we bring this symbol to life either through a 3-D sculpture, relief tile, or a bowl carved with the beautiful figure of the mythical bird reaching its neck back towards an egg.

The Witness Tree Institute opened my eyes to the rich visual culture of Ghana, the amazing way in which symbols are embedded in architecture, stories, artworks, instruments, and clothing. Using the Adinkra symbols as part of my curriculum in ceramics has been incredibly enriching. The students are so excited to learn about another part of the world. Currently the sixth graders are brainstorming an idea to film and edit a video of their ceramics works and introduce themselves to Ghanaian students, sharing a little bit about themselves and how they learned their Ghanaian names. As a teacher I am so happy to see their excitement about this project. How can I encourage students to be interested in other cultures and foster understanding with people their age from other countries? The arts have a special way of creating this bridge.

I am honored to have been part of Witness Tree Institute of Ghana this past summer and am so grateful for all the rich experiences we shared there.