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I’M A SHOP TEACHER IN S.W. ARIZ. LOOKING FOR PROJECTS THAT WILL INTREST MY STUDENTS. BASIC IDEAS OR PLANS THAT MY STUDENTS OR I CAN WORK WITH . I AM ALSO DOING A BUILDING TRADES CLASS FOR THE FIRST TIME NEXT YEAR AND ANY SUJESTIONS ON A CURRICULM WOULD HELP. BEFORE I STARTED TEACHING A WAS A CARPENTER FOR TEN YEARS SO I HAVE AN IDEA OF WHAT THEY NEED TO GET STARTED IN THE TRADES.ANY HELP OR ADVICE WILL BE APPRECIATE.
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How about getting the kids involved in a Habitat for Humanity project? HFH is a non-profit organization that uses mainly volunteers to build homes for pre-qualified, working families in need of decent housing.
If there is a HFH affiliate in your area, the kids could be be involved (in one form or another) through all phases of building a home. Your project could start with helping the kids visualize the structure to be built via blueprints all the way to the CO (Certificate Of Occupancy - or whatever they call 'em in AZ). In our area, kids are required to be 14 years old to "be on site". Check this Habitat International link for HFH organizations in AZ.
*Brad,You could have them build a nice backyard storage shed.After the final coat of paint is on, and everyone is satified with the result, it can be auctioned off to recover the cost of the materials. Since the labor is "free", I don't think you'll have any problem in finding a buyer. Someone on the faculty will most likely be that person.Good luck....Ken
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Thanks Matt,great idea. I'll be sure to check it out.
*Your idea is great. I really like the idea of the auction to pay for it all. Thanks for the help Ken, Brad
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My Great-Great-Grandfather was an Industrial Arts teacher in his later years. Before that he was a case maker.(early 1900,s)
I remember him telling my dad that whenever the troops were feeling "itchy and bored" with their lessons, he would assign them a project worthy of something they could use regardless of the mechanical discipline they chose to follow:
"Create a six-sided box within your own pre-defined and pre-documented specifications and explain to the rest of your peers the procedure you used to construct said cube".
As far as I know, he was at his shop desk and never loorned for teaching the basics and never had a need to question whether or not he was successful in laying the foundation for his charges to make an adequate living from his mentor efforts.
I don't suppose they had video games and computer games in the days when he lived though. Today, kids know how to to make a box and "animated it" on the computer.
Yet, are they challenged enough to ensure it is square, plumb and level?
3-4-5
5-12-13?
Jeff
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Brad,
I know of two different high school "shop classes" that built an entire house.At the end of the year it was sold,which paid for the supplies,and someone got a great house.This was an annual event and has been a "win-win" for everyone.
*Brad, I'm a building Trades instructor in Northern New York. I deal mainly with juniors and seniors from componet school districts in our BOCES. We currently build a 1486 sq.ft modular ranch that is sold by sealed bids. I would be willing to share ideas with you if need be through e-mail. I,ve been at this for 10 yrs.plus now and was in the field 14years prior. I can just imagine the anxiety that you are going through. Please feel free to contact me and I hope I can be of assistance. Jeff
*Jeff, thankyou for your offer of assistance.I will contact you soon.Brad
*John, thakyou for your suggestion. I;ve already checked into it and was told no, too much liability,
*Jeff thankyou for your comments. Its these basic concepts that I am trying to teach my students.Brad
*Jeff The School should have enough Gen. Liability to cover. But small projects are always nice, Its getting close to Christmas. Maybe a magazine rack, or a small coffee table. The class could also sell theses for a small profit. Small craft project for your mother always gave me great reward. NOT TO MENTION HOW IT MADE MY MOTHER FEEL
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Mr. Graham,
I never took shop in school (choir and art were my things) and I still ended up a carpenter. Who would have known.
I was thinking for an "in-shop" project you might consider some sort of small cabinet with drawers and doors. Like maybe a bedside table or something. That would give your students the experience of using sheet goods (or gluing up solid stock for the sides and back), solid stocks that they would have to s4s for the stiles and rails, box construction for the drawers, shaper or router work for the drawer fronts and doors, maybe a scrolled skirt that would involve band saw work or jig saw work, and hardware installation.
It's just a thought, but it seems an all-around kind of project that involves the use of many different tools and materials AND results in something they can take home. (I still have an old small writing dsk that my mothers uncle made in his shop class back in the 40's.) It's not like building a whole house........but.......
Ed. Williams
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I am not a shop teacher, but I can be creative.
Since kids these days are more technical than ever with computers, TV's, CD's, music, etc.....how about these ideas:
1. A simple music CD rack/stand
2. A computer desk?
3. A speaker box/enclosure for the auto (young teens seem very into packing the punches with their stereos anyway..and the enclosures sure make the speakers operate much more effiecntly...perhaps even make them do research on why one type of enclosure works better than another (pported/vented vs. air tight) and for what applications each is designed for. Just a thought.
4. media storage cabinet (video tapes, CD's, printer paper, albums....whatever they want.)
5. what about putting their talents to good use and make them research your school and see what needs the classrooms need such as storage, shelving etc. and assing a team to each area and see how they perform in this environment?
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Brad,
Years ago, our local high school students used to build a small house every year and then auction it off. Like your school, our local school became concerned about liabilities also. What a shame. In response to this problem, the students would build a one room building inside their actual shop building. This "one roomer" would be complete with exterior siding, interior drywall, interior trimwork, electrical, and windows and doors, and had a roof (complete with sheathing & shingles).
After it was finished, I beleive they removed the windows and doors and proceeded to simply dismantle it.
Beginning with basic projects, I think building a small, hand-tote type tool box is easy, yet beneficial to the student. And building some sort of larger tool storage box, like a foot locker box, or a wall cabinet, is also challenging. Work tables, picnic tables, and bookcases also are good projects to try.
*Brad, First of all, your situation is two fold. The first thing is the Shop Class. This is a little different than Building Trades. We'll get to the Building Traders in a second, but right now we'll deal with the Shop Class. Here is the name and address of a Shop Class teacher that is nationally recognized, and a multi-award winning shop teacher. I believe they call the class Shop and Production Technologies, or something similar. He can give you ideas, projects, assistance, or whatever else you need. He can even help get you a great curriculum for your class.Rocky Phelps (Shop Teacher)%Lumberton High School103 North LHS DriveLumberton, Texas 77657Now for the Building Trades. Write to the address below for information about one of the most fantastic curriculums ever written for the Building and Construction trades. It is actually written and devised by industry professionals. They will send you a free copy for you to review, and then you can order any or all of the curriculum guide. Be sure and ask all of the questions you want. They love to answer and give out information.Instructional Materials ServiceTexas A & M UniversityF.E. Box 2588College Station, Texas 77843-2588Just thought this would be some different info for you to try. Good luck.James DuHamel
*Brad, here's another vote for Habitat for Humanity projects if you have any operating in your area. I volunteer for the Kaw Valley Habitat for Humanity, building in two counties on the Kansas side of the Kansas City metropolitan area. Occassionaly, the high school building trades classes will volunteer on our projects (currently 10 homes per year). We have also have several high schools (all students) that sponsor the complete house. These are truly all school efforts. I've spent many Saturdays assisting the kids. Their dedication and motivation is tremendous. Many show up for multiple weekends for work assignments. Age may be the only problem. Our local H4H has a minimum age of 16 to be on construction sites. We can handle younger students for site cleanup, etc. Our local chapter uses volunteer labor for all rough-in, roofing, siding (vinyl), trim and painting. Foundations, plumbing, HVAC, electrical and sheetrock are done by contractors. Good Luck!!
*Kevin,I really like the idea about looking around the school and seeing what they might need. Maybe a new desk for the principal......sounds like a great idea. Who knows.....maybe the principal might just look the other way when the "shop guys" are smoking cigarettes behind the gym.Ed. Williams
*I think a great idea for a class project would be something that would be a permanent addition to the school or another of the schools in the area, such as some nice redwood playground equipment. Maybe a large display case for the school lobby. This way the students will have left their mark somewhere. They can say "we did that". It beats those little crafts that wind up in the attic or the trash.I liked the idea about a desk for the principal to but it gets less exposure. Maybe a desk and shelving per classroom in the building. one classroom per year will keep the agenda rolling for a good while.An off subject note: Pay a little more attention to your spelling. As a teacher you have a responsibilty to teach in every capacity. Pete Draganic
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I'M A SHOP TEACHER IN S.W. ARIZ. LOOKING FOR PROJECTS THAT WILL INTREST MY STUDENTS. BASIC IDEAS OR PLANS THAT MY STUDENTS OR I CAN WORK WITH . I AM ALSO DOING A BUILDING TRADES CLASS FOR THE FIRST TIME NEXT YEAR AND ANY SUJESTIONS ON A CURRICULM WOULD HELP. BEFORE I STARTED TEACHING A WAS A CARPENTER FOR TEN YEARS SO I HAVE AN IDEA OF WHAT THEY NEED TO GET STARTED IN THE TRADES.ANY HELP OR ADVICE WILL BE APPRECIATE.