I stumbled upon Doug Stowe's blog during the summer of 2011 and read with interest why he thinks bringing the arts, including manual arts, back into the classroom is so vitally important. I found myself in agreement with him on almost every point he made. I contacted him via his website and he encouraged me to pursue the idea of woodworking with my students. He gave me some pointers on how to start and wished me luck with my class of 22 students, as he had only 5 students ranging from grades 1-3.
I started woodworking with my grade 3 students the following school year, 2011-2012, and discovered for myself that this was definitely something that was worth doing.
I have continued to teach my students how to create beautiful, useful objects ever since. Every year, I look forward to watching my students' skill development grow, but more importantly how their self-confidence and problem solving abilities flourish.
In one of Doug Stowe's posts he said: "we were once a nation of craftsmen. Now we are a nation of consumers, and the great pity is that there are some who do not know the difference or care that there is one." Let the sawdust fly!
Make, fix and create.
I started woodworking with my grade 3 students the following school year, 2011-2012, and discovered for myself that this was definitely something that was worth doing.
I have continued to teach my students how to create beautiful, useful objects ever since. Every year, I look forward to watching my students' skill development grow, but more importantly how their self-confidence and problem solving abilities flourish.
In one of Doug Stowe's posts he said: "we were once a nation of craftsmen. Now we are a nation of consumers, and the great pity is that there are some who do not know the difference or care that there is one." Let the sawdust fly!
Make, fix and create.