SiO2 An Exploration in Glass for High School Students

Would you be interested in learning to create beautiful pieces of hand blown glass?  With Blenko in our community we have a perfect place to create an apprenticeship program for our high school students.  Do you think Cabell County Schools should partner with Blenko to make this a reality? We know that if schools are going to equip students to be successful in the work force, they must look at all industries and plan accordingly.  You will be working in groups to create a presentation for the next board meeting to introduce the idea of a high school apprentice program at Blenko Glass Company.  Many things must be considered when implementing such a program.  Your goal is to convince the board that this would be beneficial to the students of Cabell County as well as the Blenko community.  You will need an informative document highlighting the goals and benefits.  Additionally, create a multi media presentation to communicate your desires for the program.

Pittsburgh Glass Center - Insider Perks Travel Video

Before returning home, we visited the Pittsburgh Glass Center where we were privileged to watch a demonstration and create a glass ornament with the artists at the center.  After viewing this informative video clip proceed to my next post for the rest of the story...........

Unexpected Beauty

Today we visited the Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburg, PA. You may think that this stop had nothing to do with glass. Nothing could be further from the truth.  Check out the following pictures!

 In all the pictures you can see that the glass artists have created pieces that add beauty to the landscape.  This leads me to believe that there are other places where blown art glass could be incorporated to add beauty in our lives.  Think of an item that you believe could be fabricated by local glass artists.  Use artpad.art.com, paint, or your own hand drawing to create a sketch of the piece.

A Little Play with a Lot of Work

Pressed Glass

Today we visited Mosser Glass Company in Cambridge, Ohio.  This company produces beautiful  pressed glass items.  I was struck by the obvious differences between this glass and the glass blown at Blenko, here in Milton.  Though Blenko also uses molds for many of their designs, the look is very different.
Take a look at the Mosser Glass pieces, on the website, and Blenko pieces as well.  Do you prefer one to the other? Why? Does one seem more durable than the other? Why?
Be ready to discuss in class!

http://www.blenko.com/

http://www.mosserglass.com/

Homer Laughlin China Made In America/

After viewing this video and thinking about how fortunate West Virginia is to have this company in our state, create a brochure to be sent out to restaurant and hotel owners persuading them to invest in this American made dinnerware for their businesses.  You must use Microsoft Publisher to produce the final product.  Remember, brochures must use eye catching pictures, short titles and phrases that "pack a punch."  Advertising is the key to any good business.  MAKE IT SELL!

THe Story Behind the Glass

"Everything" has a Story to Tell??? So like any good "Quad D teacher"  I went to the Successful Practices Network to look for lessons that may have already been written about any aspect to glass or  making. Not too much to choose from, but I did find a few gems to share with you. I will put my own spin on the lessons to make them work for my classroom. The first lesson incorporates a bit or reading, writing and even some technology. So take a look at the attached lesson then check out how I plan to incorporate it into my classroom.

Link to Google Drive Gold Seal Lesson
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B0dIiOiTDaf1REp0bkhPNFJvSlk/edit?usp=sharing


 I love to read short stories like this one to the students. It makes for a nice break from the norm. I would use all the resources/strategies she uses. We would simply have the students look around their home asking family and friends to assist them in finding a piece of glass to write about. My goal is for this search to spark conversations with friends and family members about the object they choose to use and the history/significance of it. Hopefully the students will bring the information from conversations to the classroom through discussion and in their writing. Obviously, I will bring several pieces of glass that I have, or will acquire over the summer, for students who do not bring anything. If no information is known that is fine as the lesson allows for fictional writing as well. This will allow some students to let the creative juices flow! To extend this lesson into technology I would encourage students to use digital media to create a commercial advertising the product. They will be referred to my gold seal lesson that has many resources dealing with persuasive techniques.

Stained Glass Algebra

After visiting Wissmach Glass I have found a Gold Seal Lesson that can be coordinated with the Math teacher to create a cross curricular project that will give the students an appreciation for the art glass manufacturer and the Stain Glass artist while incorporating Algebra. While the math teacher will teach the algebra piece of this lesson, the technology teacher will complete the following.
Introduce the students to Wissmach Glass using the website below to discuss the products made and how they would use them if fabricating the stained glass design they create.  Students will use the color, and pattern choices from Wissmach glass on their glass drafts.  After completing the entire unit students and teacher will look at and discuss the impact of this glass companies product on people and places around the world.

http://www.wissmachglass.com/Default.aspx

The following link will take you to Google Drive to View the Gold Seal Lesson

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B0dIiOiTDaf1c1VJbGhVSlNNX00/edit?usp=sharing

Marble King

The Magic of Making - Glass Marbles

Obviously this video is not shot in WV, but the narration is great and the process is made clear.  Worth the watch

Central Glass Company's Federal Faux Pas

 

  
US Coin Glass was issued in 1892 by Central Glass Company, in East Wheeling, to commemorate the founding of the US Mint. Exact replicas of the US silver dollar, half dollar, quarter,  and other coins were designed into the molds. The images were so perfect that the US government ordered the company to stop producing the items. As a result, the items immediately became collector pieces.
Why do you think the government was so insistent that the molds be destroyed and production cease?
What US Government agency was created to deal with the problem of counterfeiting just a few years before this glass was produced???
Who would have thought that this agency could trace its creation back to counterfeiting?

Hint:  http://voices.yahoo.com/a-brief-history-counterfeiting-money-america-267787.htm

Glass Creations Pumpkin

I know it is a little lengthy, but what a great educational demonstration.!

Blenko Trip

On June 6, 2013 we visited Blenko Glass in Milton West Virginia.  Below are a few pictures of the activities we were privileged to take part in that day.

Hearts of Glass

Just wanted to let everyone know about the WVPBS broadcast this Tuesday, July 9, at 9:0pm The program is called Hearts of Glass. It is a documentary about Blenko Glass Company. You can find more information at.. http://www.wvptv.wvnet.edu/heartsofglass