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!
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