| ...A forgotten trade
Woodworking is an elective that is offered from third through
eighth grade. With the emphasis on technology these days, woodworking
is sometimes a forgotten trade. This class teaches the boys practical
application of tools you may find in any house.
More than just pounding on nails with hammers, the class
bridges a child's cognitive abilities. A boy approaches a problem by sketching
a solution in two-dimensions. Then he transforms the image in his mind
and uses his hands to build a three-dimensional product. And the best
part is the gratification he gets when he is done!
Students select different projects and work at their own
paces. There is no minimum or maximum number of projects.
Starting in third grade, boys are taught to not abuse each
other (and the instructor) with the tools. They learn how to work with
each other and can work in groups for large projects or individually on
smaller ones.
As the boys become more confident, they take on more complex
projects and are able to develop problem solving skills (with respect
to identifying the best plan for the project and executing it with his
hands and appropriate tools).
Though the types of projects the boys take on grow more
complex as they get older, my philosophy remains unchanged. Every boy
leaves knowing:
- Safety is #1
- How to draw plans first before building
- How to identify the appropriate tool(s) for the task
at hand
Below you will find some recent student projects. Come back
often to see what is going on in our shop!
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