today's class

I was so busy yesterday that I neglected to take any photos of the Guild of Oregon Woodworker's shop, or of the preparation taking place. Several members were at work as I prepared stock for jigs and sleds.

Last night we had an open house in the shop, intended to introduce me to members but also to invite community members to investigate the opportunity that membership in the guild
offers. A number of people came in response to an article in the newspaper, and it is likely that new members will result.

Since I have little energy to write more, I'll share a bit of observation from N. Christian Jacobsen from a time in which intelligence was measured as being something more than how well you might read or do math:

Once the foundation for a skill is achieved development thereafter will proceed more quickly under freer exercises. In both respects a tension is needed to enable development. This tension comes forth most strongly and naturally in relation to some definite exercise that involves thinking; and thus is not tedious and rigid but freer, and otherwise variously developmental when alternation of exercises occurs throughout an entire task. Alternating forms and alternating hand exercises should be harmonious just as development of the form sense and manual proficiency. This has its basis in nature’s harmony.

Finally, the sense for the beautiful which can be gained should also have something to do with movement itself. A sloyd teacher should have an eye to leading his pupils to beautiful movements. A chemist does not treat his glassware as one would in the kitchen. It would not be to refine sloyd to introduce a measure of beauty to the work method: there is room for it and it will also have its useful effects, but it should not be something affected nor should it be left out.

The idea that the development of form and that the development of beauty are related to the development of intelligence and the expression of intelligence never comes up, and is unknown to modern educational policy makers.

Today, I have a demonstration class in making a wooden box.

Make, fix, create, and extend to others the opportunity to learn likewise.