Welcome to the world of woodworking in my middle school Woodshop class!
My students are experiencing woodworking for the first time.
For some of them it is the reason they come to school. For most of them it is a new experience that will last a lifetime. My students are 12 - 14 years old and most have never picked up a tool before. Some are scared but most are really excited. They learn to persevere in projects that take time, patience and skill. I strongly believe that giving students an introduction to working with their hands and providing an opportunity to excel in a class where the emphasis is not strictly academic can be life changing. I encourage them to make projects of their own design in hope of introducing them to woodworking that could turn into a successful career or lifelong hobby. I want to pass on the joy of woodworking that I learned from my own teachers in the very room I now teach!
Our school is 56.6% Title I, and racially diverse.
My Project
We are constantly fundraising for our woodshop! One of our biggest ongoing expenses is wood! Although I fundraise constantly and we have community support and volunteers, woodshop students need wood in order to make projects.
My students need hardwoods to make wood projects: from wood veneers and straight cuts for our marquetry boxes, to stock to make spoons, game boards and animal clips, cutting boards and Adirondack chairs!
Without wood we cannot run the woodshop! Every year we receive direct wood donations, but we still need more wood of a consistent quality for each student to be able to make several projects.
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