witnessing the growth of skill

In the early days of manual arts training, students were not to decorate their work, as the underlying skill in the use of tools and techniques in the development of form were to be emphasized. 

For the younger kids, however, the application of color to what they've made or assembled provides a sense of pride and agency. 

Some children will work on the development of patterns, while others emphasize broad and rich strokes appearing random to an adult mind. Each can spend a great bit of time, doing so. 

For the woodworking teacher, the coloring of the work allows those students who are a bit slower in the assembly process to catch up.

Learning must start with and be maintained by the interest of the child, and this is as much true for adults as it is in Kindergarten.

Yesterday in the wood shop we continued making flip cars and tops.

Next week is fall break at the Clear Spring School. The kids have told me that they want to make toy boats next.

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