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User Name: woodchips
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Joined: Thursday, August 5, 2010
Last Visit: Tuesday, November 12, 2013 1:28:04 PM
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Last 10 Posts
Topic: Appropriate age to start "woodshop" ?
Posted: Sunday, August 11, 2013 4:30:45 PM
I'm simply looking for some opinions on this one.
We began classes last week, and three days into school I was informed friday afternoon that I would be " teaching" 1st through 3rd grade woods. I said "NO WAY !!!" . i was told not to panic because I would not have these young students in the woodshop but in a regular classroom and I would have a wagon with building blocks, legos, tinker toys and lincoln logs to bring to the classroom.
I have to say I'm a high qualifies teacher with a certification in CTE and emerging technologies in secondary education. I have to say I feel like I'm being asked to babysit since I was told in an excited way that I could use building blocks to see who could build the tallest tower........ I honestly thought it was a joke at first. I was told this news on Friday afternoon and I'm expected to teach these classes beginning on Monday.
Anyone have any ideas on how to tackle this one. I honestly have to say I feel blindsided and insulted.
Topic: My favorite 'student' story...
Posted: Tuesday, June 14, 2011 5:37:28 PM
A few of us should start a club. I too am a first year teacher who came into a shop ( two shops actually) that were in a very bad state of repair. Missing tools, no guards on the machines, and only one out of 5 power tools I plugged in worked. After a year of rebuilding tools and machines and purchasing even more tools ( there were three tape measures total when I came in) I now have a shop for woodworking, and one for building trades. There were no lesson plans, or curriculum and the file drawers I had to clean out had information on students from 90-93 and that was it.
I taught part time this year, two seperate classes and I must have impressed the board because I just signed a contract for full time next year and five classes. This year was tough, but next year I feel that I can take what I learned this year and things ( some things) will run a bit smoother. One of the best lessons I learned was that no matter how passionate I am about woodworking and construction, that doesn't necessarily mean all the students are. At first I was questioning the fact why some students couldn't care less. I mean heck guys it's woodworking, what could be better. It's been my business and my hobby for the better part of 30 years , what's not to like? I found that if I can "hook" them right away and get them interested, the rest of the year will go smooth......smoother. I tried this at the beginning of the second semester and it sure helped.
Topic: First Year teaching
Posted: Tuesday, June 7, 2011 7:24:53 PM
I too just completed my first year of contruction technologies and beginning woodshop. I completely understand the pull your hair out syndrome and I believe I did walk out into the woods by our home on several nights......stood on the top of a stump.......and screamed things that nobody should hear. I do love it though. This year was part time and a challenge, next year will be full time and even moreso of a challenge, adding two wood and construction classes as well as small engine technology.
I may want to hold off on pulling that stump out of the ground. It's gonna come in handy I think.
Topic: Is there a way to make a shop lawsuit proof?
Posted: Tuesday, November 30, 2010 10:25:35 AM
I'm a bit late getting in on this topic, but it is one that is forefront in my mind every day. On top of all else, keeping the students safe is my number one priority. Enjoying woodshop is second since if your not safe, you can't enjoy it. I've been building and working wood for over 30 years and still have all ten fingers, all ten of my toes and my eyes are......getting older, but still work well. i remind my students of this daily.
I've tried to "bulletproof" my shop against lawsuits, but know full well that a good lawyer ( even a bad one) can find holes. tht is what they do . If someone can sue Mcdonalds for millins over spilling hot coffee on their lap, a woodshop would be field day for a lawsuit. I document and have each student sign their completed tests and packets as well as the lette that goes home at the beginning of the year where ever rule in the shop is initialized and both student and parent sign the document. testing is rigorous and students do not operate machines until a test is passed with 100%.
I think for me, the threat of injury in the shop is the most stressful part of my job.
Topic: The Future of Shop Class?
Posted: Tuesday, November 16, 2010 10:02:27 AM
Woodteacher,
Your last paragraph of that post forced me to reply. I occasionally give homework in woodshop and it absolutely amazes me at how many students return the following class and it's either not completed, or they don't have it at all. It's as if they don't take shop seriously. One of my biggest challeneges is to get them to realize that the skills they learn in the woodshop are skills they will use in conjunction with everything else they learn. I lile to incorporate cross curriculum into my classes. We are about to embark on a "bathouse" project where I can add a little science into the class. the idea of using bats as insect control as opposed to zappers or insecticides. Cooking utensils are also a hit and they are simple and useful. Not only are the kids coming into class without the homework, but they also ( a few) tend to think these machines are toys. I watch every great once in a while a kid walk up to a machine with hair down, no eye protection.............I am a big big stickler on safety, but some of them just don't get it and I really think it's because they don't care. I believe this is also a learned behaviour. I actually had a 7th grade boy in my class a few weeks ago who claimed that he " hated...absolutely hated" woodshop. One out of 16 that Hates woodshop. I actually asked a few students what they thought of woodshop and all of them said it was far and above their favorite class. I'm adjusting my plan for this one individual student in hopes of turning it around. I know they will not l be as passionate as I am about woodworking and carpentry, but to Hate it.............?
Topic: developing anew curriculum.....
Posted: Sunday, November 7, 2010 10:43:18 PM
Ahhhh to have a CNC router...............someday. I do have a female student who can wield a router with the precision of a CNC machine. She's good!!
All great ideas. My main idea is to build storage sheds, and raffle one, and sell another outright. Once the ball is rolling, we have the space for the cnstruction of up to three at a time, mounted on large casters that can be moved around the shop. In effect I have two shops, the woodshop, and in front of that a large shop that was used for automotive in the past. Two large roll up doors, and floor plan that could easily accomodate a production run of storage buildings, dog houses etc. The idea of whimsical playhouses has come up as well. the entire plan is laid out and even with the light marketing research I have done ( I own a carpentry business and I would be the competition) there ar a few others, but we are very rural, most parents, if ot all that I have spoken with are very much on board. Like I mentioned, there could be lesons in business managment, canstruction, marketing, scheduling, human relations, problem solving, math, english....etc. all encompassing, and with the proper marketing strategies, we could support the program ourselves. the better it goes, I think the more I can bring to the table as far as what the shop could use ......CNC router ;) . I'd like to eventually open up a cabinetmaking class as well.
as you guys can see I have huge dreams and plans for this shop and school. I'm talking with the principal regularly and I'm hedging toward a no vote on getting certified with the state for an offcial CTE certification. that is the only way we could recieve funding from the state, but with budget cuts running rampant ( next year will be far worse) I would hate to rely on the state when we could do it ourselves. I'm a pretty persistent fella' and when I say I can and will do something, by gosh I will, and if your inmy way you best be wearing a helmet. The smallest hurdle seems to actually be the hardest to get over and that's the superintendent ( our district is an elementary school, a high school and middle school all on one campus) The district invested money at the beginning of the year to repair the grandstands, and also repair picnic tables. All requisition forms have fallen into the maintenance and repair category, and not "instruction" that in itself is bothering me a lot. It feels as if the school is taking advantage of the students and my expertise and having us do more maintenance and repair than anything else. Frustrating to say the least. the pitch that I got during the hiring process is not the same pitch I'm getting now.
I feel like an underpaid maintenance worker sometimes, and it's certianly not fair to the kids. Out of 5 pages of standards I have to teach to, I have been able to hit on 12 individual standards and that's power tool safety, squaring and cutting, drilling, and painting. we need the appropriate projects in order to teach this and replacing foorbaords nad planks on grandstands and picnic tables isn't doing the trick. I am geeitn creative on a daily basis to keep the students engaged and it's working as of late, but last Friday i did have a student ask if we were going to do anyhnting else this year since they are getting bored. right there I'm seeing signs of losing the battle.
Topic: developing anew curriculum.....
Posted: Friday, November 5, 2010 3:26:11 AM
I'm also thinking of approaching local businesses, contractors, suppliers, and some larger names in the industry for possible support.
Has anyone had any success with this type of fund raising?
Topic: developing anew curriculum.....
Posted: Friday, November 5, 2010 3:24:05 AM
Hey all,
Due to the recent budget cuts here in AZ. I'm trying to develop a curriculum for my carpentry classes ( and woodshop) classes that would allow the shop to generate it's own income and support. My ideas range from storage sheds and buildings as well as doghouses for the carpentry classes, and bathouses and birdhouses for the woodshop class. I know others aroudn the country have done similar programs ( ie. woodlinks). Is there anyone on this forum who has experience with this typer of program?
I'd like to set it up so the students are held accountable to some extent for the success and or shortcomings, while under close supervision of course. I've laid everything out and planned this for a long long time and I'm confident it will work. Bottom line is that the students would learn business management, production, quality control, inventory, marketing, budgeting etc. as well as a solid set of skills.
Any help, advice, ideas, warnings etc. would be greatly appreciated. I'm extrmely serious about this because as many of you know, when budgets slide, oftne times one of the first programs to go is vocational arts or CTE programs despite the recent resurgence. If the shop could support itself while adhering to state standards and then some, it could be a win win situation. Who knows, with enough support my salary could even be paid through the sales. I thought of possibly raffling one or two units a year ( storage sheds) and selling other outright. Our other CTE instructor who teaches business, could possibly market the bat and birdhouses, incorporating his classes into the program.
Soooo is there anyone out there who is going to say " Your nuts man!"
Topic: Retirement
Posted: Wednesday, November 3, 2010 10:58:38 PM
Retirement for me is but a dream at this point. I'm actually new to teaching and I just happened to land my first teaching job as a woodshop and carpentry instructor. It's part time, but ever since I was fresh out of highschool 20+ years ago, all I have ever wanted to do is teach woodshop. I'm 43 years young so I'm a bit of a late starter however I can still do 20 years I'm sure of it.
The scary thing though is as hard as I've worked to get this position, and with the recent elections and budget cuts, I'm not sure my job will even be here next year. I'm on a mission to develop a curriculum that will support the program on it's own by turning the shop into a production facility for small woodcraft items on one side of the shop and in the big room having my carpentry students build and sell storage sheds and unique doghouses. I've got the space, I just need the blessings from the administration and for some unknown reason, they like the idea of shooting themselves in the foot. I can't get an answer no mater how hard I push. I'm going to keep pushing and pushing.............and pushing. I ran my own carpentry business for 16 years and I've laid out extensive business plans and ideas. The students are currently rebuilding the schools picnic tables and the grandstands which falls under maintenance and repair and I have to say I feel at this pint like I'm being taken advantage of as well as the students too, and I'm not too happy about that. There is only so many standards that can be taught while your repalcing 2x10x18 s over and over and drilling holes in them to mount on the frames. It's mind numbing work after a while. the kids are enjoying it, because they get to work with their hands and the tools, but there is so much more.
I'm preaching to the choir here, but there absolutely has to be a push for more vocational classes and instruction. It's shocking at how many kids in the 11th and 12 grade can't so much as even cut a board straight..........shocking. I'm not sying they all need to go into the trades, but as a former employer, there is a serious shortage of skilled labor.
How and where do we start?
Topic: Suggestions for keeping disruptive class busy
Posted: Tuesday, October 5, 2010 10:03:56 PM
I've actually instituted a new policy and so far everyone is toeing the line.
I made it clear that any students who are found to be abusing tools, wasting materials, missusing equipment etc. etc ( I have my rules very well defined and they are all aware of them) that student will not be trusted with tools and will construct a similar project from cardboard and tape, using scissors to cut the pieces.
Those that show up to class unprepared ( no pencils, or work journals, are given a crayon to write with and a 3x5 index card. Since I set this new policy in place, I only had one student forget their pencil and I no longer see someone using a new Dozuki saw as a hatchet ( I think I let out a little shriek over that one).
Granted there is a current student who will most likely be leaving the shop soon. After a few months he has made it very evident that anything with power going to it is going to be more than I will risk him touching. Almost went on my kiester today after he left. Walked around behind his bench to see what he had been doing, and started skating around on a broken silica gell bead packet he tore open. Where he got it.........? From the sandpaper storage cabinet.
Aside from his disruptive behavior, he will eventually pose a threat to the safety of other students. Just can't have it!!!
The idea of giving them responsibilities is good though. I do that also and students love to have a specific job that is theirs alone. The student I had the most trouble with at the beginning of theyear is now one of my best. Oh! And whatever, hold them accountable for what they do or do not do. There has been a few classes where we spent the period going over how to properly clean up a woodshop....again.

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