What are we building?

My students finished their first set of chairs today.  This set is for our new guidance counselor.  The nicest thing about these chairs is obviously the skills that my students now have and the feelings that go along with knowing they can do something like this.  Now they want to do more.  "Let's build a table," one student called out.  Their confidence is perking up.  It's as if they've won something and they want to repeat that feeling.  I love woodworking, and chairs are fun to build.  However, when I see the my students reaping the same benefits from building these chairs as I have, I get excited.  They have acquired some woodworking skills, confidence, self-trust, independence, patience and a greater level of appreciation for things that are made by hand.  Those of us who work with our hands understand that there is love involved.  It has been said that when we make things we give form to ourselves as well as to the materials we work with.  I enjoy using woodworking and chair building to help build better humans.  I consider this part of my job to be very important. 

This proud young man is on his way to deliver a chair that he helped to build.

  

 

 

Parts and Wholes

In order for my students to succeed in the shop they have to be able to work together.  It's essential for them to realize that each one of them plays a major role in the completion of each chair.  Their effort and attitude affects how the class performs as well as the quality of the end result.  I like being able to teach in this type of setting.  I find it highly worthwhile to teach kids how to hold themselves, and others, accountable.  Without this, we can only expect average results.  This is a very important lesson for us to teach our young folks.  Educating kids on how to work through tough times as a group, divide a problem up and share responsibility can be very rewarding.  Knowing how to do these things can have a profound impact on the way we think when it comes to working with others.  Kids need to know what it feels like to succeed when they have put trust in someone.  This is trust.  When trust is established amongst a group, possibilities for success begin to appear all around.  There absolutely is strength in numbers.  Lately I have put some of the woodworking aside in order to focus on creating more synergy within in my classes.  My notion is that this will make everything we do better- because no one works in isolation.  The last thing that we need for our kids is for them to be average.

Evaluating a Job Well Done

Sit back and relax (for now).  We've got a bunch more to make!

          We were able to complete our first chair this week.  The kids learned a variety of skills- all of which that I will  be able to assess as they continue working in the coming weeks.  There's definitely a positive buzz in the shop this year- kids are learning and having fun.  Each student is playing a role in the overall project so we are all accountable.  It's crucial for kids to experience this type of working environment.  Success that depends on their classmates- synergistic.  I expect to see the pace of work increase, the quality of work to improve, the level of independent work to increase as well.  We should be able to put out 1-2 chairs per week, if not more.  Every student is learning every skill that goes into making one of these chairs- and many are beginning to find their niche and specialize.  It's interesting to see how certain students are drawn to the assembly of the chair- to be sure it comes out right.  Each piece of the puzzle reveals something to me about where my students skill levels are and how they are functioning as a whole class.  I'm looking forward to the weeks ahead as I get to watch these kids work! 

 

Piece by piece

Over the past few days my students have been assembling their first Adirondack chair.  It's exciting to see them taking more control over what goes on in the shop.  One of my goals is for them to run the show, and use me as their sawyer.  I want them to experience how good it feels to be responsible for a job and how it elevates your confidence level.  I remember myself feeling more worthwhile after a day's work on the job hanging sheetrock at age 16.  The same went for completing a practice as an athlete.  With this, any chance I can get to give my students a chance to experience this- I go for it.  Learning to do this when you're young is vital to success after school.  It's great to see the kids faces light up and say "we did it" or show off their work when they have done something that they are proud of.  Richard Feynman, a world famous physicist used to say that it's the "kick in the discovery" that makes science worthwhile and fun.  Young people feel great when they see the culmination of their work in a finished product.  Legendary woodworker Roy Underhill said that they need to feel like they've scored.  With this, we will be plugging away in the shop for the next few days to complete chair #1.  We work for donations and if you'd like one, or a set, let us know! 

And Away We Go...

As we know in the world of education, things move fast.  So we are off to a fast start and there is lots to do in both my classroom and the shop.  So far classes are off to a good start.  Most kids want to jump into things hands first, and this will probably never change.  Our main project underway is the building of Adirondack chairs.  Though it may be a little unoriginal, this project us a chance to become acquainted with working in a shop where there are tools and safety procedures.  The kids are learning a variety of basics such a as layout skills, sawing, planing, drilling and assembly- so it is fun!  This is the first rule of woodworking.  We plan to share these chairs with the public for those of you looking to offer donations to our program.  Stay tuned for some pictures of the kids working as the pieces begin to come together on our first batch.