Following the principles of Educational Sloyd from the 19th century, students will develop hand-tool woodworking skills as they move from the known to the unknown, the easy to more difficult, and from simple to complex. A series of small projects and exercises, presented in the right order for the student’s growth will culminate in the making of a simple bench to express lasting skill in the use of tools and greater sensitivity to the material, wood.This new class will be on the ESSA calendar for 2014. Registration will begin soon.
This class will also serve as a primer for those interested in knowing how we learn best and how hands-on learning can return to American education.
Today in the CSS wood shop, I'll have a video crew visiting to document woodworking activities in my middle school class as part of a short documentary on my work. The Arkansas Department of Heritage in association with the Historic Arkansas Museum is making short documentaries on each of the recipients of the Arkansas Living Treasure designation. I was named an ALT in 2009. Still, when people hear of my award they ask, "You're a what???" I explain that being a living treasure is better than being a buried one. In any case, I am glad to live in a state that attempts to recognize the value of craftsmanship. Among all states, only New Jersey, Arkansas and North Carolina attempt to recognize living treasures in crafts and art, and it is a program that should be expanded to other states.
The following video shows the use of Froebel's gift number 2.
Make, fix and create...
Well done! Good luck with the documentary.
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