Making and using a shooting board

Much of American education is built upon a wrong premise. As parents and as teachers, we want each child to rise to his or her full capacity enabling successful individuals and a successful society. But in truth, success comes not from the exercise of isolated individualism exercised through the pursuit of grades or test scores, but from the ability to collaborate and awaken to the sense that we are each part of something larger than ourselves  that's worthy of our interest and engagement.

American education is set up as a competition in which students are measured to see which ones come out on top. The ones that stand out in a manner that pleases the administration, measured by grades and standardized test scores, are rewarded and advanced. The ones who come out mid-range to top are harvested by universities with a 50% graduation rate and with the students amassing debt to last years in return for the privilege to fail in five years or less. What can we say about that? Oops is not a strong enough term.

The real factor that plays most strongly in attainment of success is the ability to work closely and successfully with others, as one must in team sports, music or in other collaborative ventures like building a boat.

You notice things in wood shop. For instance, in the Clear Spring School we provide tools, materials, and instruction for kids to make things. Given the same tools, materials and instruction, they might have similar success in another place or in another time, but remove the scaffolding that supports their success, and the creativity shuts down. Create a significant enough interest in creativity and students will find ways to move forward even when the scaffolding no longer surrounds them. So how does one create confident, life-long learners. First step is to start with the interests of the child, nourish those and build from that point.

This morning I visited the first, second and third grade class at Clear Spring School and observed as their teacher Mr. Rigdon, got them settled into their chosen studies. Some were studying dinosaurs and others, other things. One was particularly interested in climbing. Our purpose is to create choice, not to have all the students learn exactly the same things. You start that at an early age, capitalizing on student interest, and the sky's the limit. The same free-wheeling advance of learning can take place throughout education.

Next week I'll be back to teaching live in the wood shop at the Clear Spring School. Yesterday I posted a video on making and using a shooting board, and the use of shooting boards will be part of lessons for next week.

Make, fix and create. Assist others in learning likewise.