The photos at left show 5th and 6th grade students at Clear Spring working on letter openers based on Sloyd models and instructions. Next week the students will finish today's work, and then start over in an effort to get better results. The students first use the marking gauge to mark the thicker stock for sawing, then use the Japanese pull-type saw to cut the blade and handle to thickness. Then using a plane, the students remove the saw marks and taper the blank leaving it thinner at the tip and cutting edge. Next, the shape of the blade and handle can be sketched on the wood so it can be either cut with a scroll saw or carved with a knife.

When I ask my students whether they want easy projects or hard ones, guess what they say?