The Woodworking Program

Overview

One of the unique aspects of our curriculum is that it reaches students at more than one level. These levels are often summarized as “head, heart, and hands” and “thinking, willing, and feeling.” By carefully integrating a rich, developmentally appropriate curriculum success in one subject leads to growth in seemingly unrelated areas of life. The inclusion of woodworking is a prime example. Woodworking encourages students to reach deep within themselves for unused and undiscovered skills and capacities. These new capacities are then also available for other aspects of life.

Thinking

Complex thinking and visualization skills are developed while holding the image of a three-dimensional shape in the mind for extended periods of time as the form is slowly carved. Students learn important facts about the nature of wood, trees, forests, and ecosystems. They learn the proper use of hand tools, such as mallets, gouges, saws, carving knives, clamps, sandpaper and they learn to make and use a natural wood finish.

Will

If their project is to be completed, each student must work with steady concentration. Others can guide and encourage, but each is ultimately alone in bringing out the shape they envision. Week after week, students apply their will to conquer unforeseen challenges, repeatedly meeting the wood’s resilience and hidden surprises with their own growing patience and determination.

In the process, students adapt to inevitable frustrations, discovering hidden knots and cracks that may drastically effect their project. They learn to pace themselves. It is especially true in woodworking that the race is not always to the swift. Those who work too carelessly inevitably cut too deep. This is a powerful antidote to the more negative effects of our pampering, air-conditioned, push-button society.

Feeling

Woodworking is inherently dangerous. Few survive without at least one (hopefully small) cut, scrape, abrasion, or blister. For this reason, safety is stressed and shop rules are enforced. Students quickly see that such rules are not arbitrary or punitive. Because students may not endanger themselves or their neighbors, safety becomes both an individual and group responsibility. It is quickly understood that the need to watch out for each other, care for tools, and keep the shop clean and orderly are important principles that require everyone’s participation.

Learning Goals

1. Learn about the nature of wood, trees, forests, and ecosystems.
2. Learn basic 3-D design and drafting techniques.
3. Learn the proper use of traditional woodworking tools, such as mallets, gouges, saws, carving knives, clamps, sandpaper.
4. Learn natural wood finishing techniques.

Developmental Goals

1. Imagination: Imagine a 3-D shape within a rough block of wood.
2. Will and Patience: Carry out a project from start to finish, from design to completion.
3. Self-Direction: Do your own best work, and take pride in a job well done.
4. Responsibility: Work safely and professionally in a collaborative environment.

Success

Students will graduate with an intimate knowledge of wood and traditional woodworking skills. If their interests lead them further on this path, they are well-positioned to become fine artisans capable of creating musical instruments—such as flutes, guitars and violins—or custom furniture, houses, boats and sculptures.

More importantly, students will gain the experience of persevering over extended periods of time against daunting challenges, and towards a distant goal. They will have discovered their own “staying power.” This will serve them well no matter where life leads.