Welcome to the world of woodworking in my middle school Woodshop class!
My students are very interested in practical things and in learning about woodworking.
They range from students who have never picked up a tool, to those who have some familiarity with them. They are 12 - 14 years old and have a sense of wonder and individuality that is sometimes fun and sometimes frustrating! I see my job to teach them not just the basics, but an appreciation of woodworking. I'm an alum of this school and woodworking program, and want to pass on my love of the subject. 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 for some students. 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.
Our school is 56.6% Title I, and racially diverse.
My Project
My students need sandpaper for every project we work on in Woodshop. It is the number one supply need we have. With the cut backs in our district, and even with our constant fundraising this basic need is not being met.
I ration pieces of sandpaper, after cutting them into 1/4 sheets, 1/8 sheets or smaller depending on the project and need.
But you can't have a woodshop and wood projects without sandpaper!
Some of the exciting projects my students have used sandpaper to finish are spoons, animal note holders, game boards, carved bowls, cutting boards, marquetry boxes, band saw boxes and adirondack chairs.
I want to encourage my students' enthusiasm and support their ideas and projects, but we need basic supplies like sandpaper to do that.
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