Today in woodshop, we made very small cutting boards from walnut in grades 1 through 4. The 3rd and 4th graders did better at paying attention to the grain and the effects of the papers as we moved through grits, 120, 180, 240 and 320. It was a great exercise in developing attention and to gain a better understanding of the potential quality and beauty available in working with hardwoods. Too often, children speed through their time in the woodshop, and part of my intention in this project was to get them to slow down and pay more attention to the changes in the material resulting from their efforts.

The surprising thing the students told me was that they were surprised that such a simple project could offer them so much fun.

The photo at left is of Clear Spring 7th grader Rachel with her puppet. At last it has legs!