I have been asked to come up with and supervise a woodworking project that I could have 8-10 boys build. The boys are in 6th, 7th and 8th grade. I am assuming that none of them have any woodworking experience. This project can be several pieces or just one, but it/they will be sold at the annual school fundraiser which takes place March 6th. Any ideas for a project would be appreciated.
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I had to do something like that once for my Son's scout troop.
I picked an easy birdhouse plan and had them build that. I cut the parts out ahead of time and color coded them. Red, for the roof, silver for the sides, black for the bottom, etc. (Just a spot of spray paint on each piece)
All holes were pre-drilled. And we got several of the parents to come in to help the boys. Rounded up a bunch of hammers for the effort. It ended up going really well - Better than we could have hoped for.
Get your own bumper sticker and stop staring at mine.
Like Boss, I was going to suggest birdhouses. You could get the kids and other parents involved to do research on the best designs for the cavity-nesting birds in your area. I did this with my daughter's girl scout troop several years ago. We got a local landowner to allow us to put the boxes up and we were able to enjoy a few return vivits to see that the birds were actually using the boxes. Maybe a few of the scouts could turn it into a merit badge project. Some people set up "bluebird trails" where they mount boxes along country roads and visit them periodically to see who has taken up residence.
The best boxes tend to be simple. Use thicker rough-saw lumber and little or no paint. Box size and entry hole size are important to attract the birds you want but to discourage the pests.
One word of caution: I set up a birdfeeder building project for my son's birthday party when he was about eight. I pre-cut and pre-drilled everything and each kid got a little hammer as a party favor. When you have a roomfull of little kids pounding away with 8-ounce hammers, you'll be wishing for hearing protection!
Al Mollitor, Sharon MA
A get in touch with nature theme seems to serve well.
Bird houses suited for the species in the area and feeders of several types sell well and they are generally easy to build, the materials list is simple and relitively inexpensive.
Think the KISS.
Who ever invented work didn't know how to fish....
In the 8th grade we built book ends. it was fun and easy and used hand tools.
Darkworksite4:
Estamos ganando detrás el estado de Calif. Derrotando a un #### a la vez. DESEA VIVO LA REVOLUCIÓN
The current issue of Wood Magazine has an article on working with kids to make some CD holders.
A little different than the common bird houses and the "employees" would also be good customers for the product.
JR high woodshop we made some Nice foot stools, Napkin holders. That Triange Tee game and some other games. 6th grade we were using the power tools. The Foot stool is still in use almost 30 years later.
Something from my distant FFA past was sawhorses. A wide variety of designs and sizes are available and make a good beginner project that will be very useful either for their own use or to sell. Minimal material cost and no specialized tooling. I still have the 3-legged sawhorse I made almost 30 yrs. ago.
Lefty - Lurker without an attitude or a clue
Thank you all for the good ideas! You saved me from a lot of time digging through my magazines. I'll present them to the little woodsmen. Thanks again!
When my kids were in the 5th grade (has it been that long ago? They graduate in June) the teacher wanted to get the kids some building experiance, so he scattered a few projects throughout the year, and I volunteered to help. He cut out the pieces and I predrilled and helped the kids hammer them together.
The two projects were a birdhouse (one of which hung faithfully on a pole on our deck until claimed by a storm a few years ago) and a tool tote. The tote is nothing more than a rectangular box with a dowel spanning the length as a handle. They were Christmas presents to the dads, and mine from my daughter (my son kept his) still sits on my workbench, though it holds receipts and odds and ends instead of tools. My attempt at prolonging future memories, I guess.
It's a good thing, teaching kids woodworking. My son is in the engineering club at school, and last night while I was reading the paper I could hear the bandsaw buzzing and spindle sander whizzing as he and few partners worked on a school project.
I'm sure it doesn't need to be said, but I'll reiterate it anyway; Safety first.
You know, I hadn't thought about a tool tote.
My little buddy was over at the house a while back, and she asked me if I would help her make a toolbox. We threw one together from some scrap lumber and a piece of an old broom handle.
Then my Son and I dug up some of our old tools and threw a few things in it for her. She seemed happy as a clam. And I think that would make a great project for any kid. It would certainly last longer than a birdhouse.
View ImageIt is wonderful to be here in the great state of Chicago [Dan Quayle]
It looks great. Gotta admit mine doesn't look as good, technically speaking, but to me it's the best I'll ever own.
I never met a tool I didn't like!
I don't think that toolbox was any great prize. And the tools we put in there for her were cheap ones and stuff we don't really use.
But to me the only project that's really wrong for a kid is the one that never gets done.
She may never be a tool wiz. But hopefully she'll remember that I spent time with her and helped he make it.
Last time I was over at her house she brought out a doll bed that she'd made with her tools. It was pretty pathetic, as doll beds go - Made from some weathered scraps of plywood. But she learned something from hammering that thing together. So I think I did the right thing.A third grade teacher was getting to know her pupils on the first day of school. She turned to one little girl and asked, "What does your Daddy do?" The girl replied, "Whatever my Mommy tells him to do."
That's a good Boss.
Everybody'd have to like that....
Who ever invented work didn't know how to fish....
The tool tote is another great idea, and a way to use up some of the scrap I can't get myself to throw away. Thank you!
Everyone has given great ideas. Any of them should work. You didn't mention what you have available for time, or tools, both limiting factors.
Some of the projects my middle school shop kids enjoyed:
The previously mentioned tool box. We sometimes made the sides fairly low and the width just wide enough to hold CDs.
Games. The previously mentioned triangle game looks great using a rough board and pegs cut from small tree branches. We cut them with pruning shears and whittled the ends with either a knife or pencil sharpener. Look neat with or without the bark.
Cribbage boards can be made with all kinds of materials. Rough boards or small, split logs give a primitive look that justifies less-than-straight rows of holes. And they look good with hand made pegs.
Checker games. Hand sawn branches ( about 1" dia. cut about 1/2" thick) stained with bright colors make interesting checkers, and look good with hand painted checker boards.
Tic tac toe games. Just about any peg game.
Toy cars and trucks, etc. We made wheels with hole saws or sometimes bought wheels. (This age group felt "too old" to be caught with such toys, so making them to sell or give away was a super excuse. Probably one of the most favorite projects.)
Boot jacks for pulling off rubber boots. Again, easy to make with limited tools and time.
Ice fishing traps. More prep work for you but a popular item. If you're in the right climate. (I'm in Maine)
Pencil and pen holders. Something as simple as a 3/4" by 3/4" by 4" piece of wood with a hole in the end and a magnetic strip on the back works (and sells!), or you can get as elaborate as you like with holders to place on a desk.
Coat and hat racks - any type of rack - endless possibilities!
Have fun! And hats off to you for doing it!
Oldfred