In the woodshop today, I spent some quality time with a set of 3 Groz planes. The block plane (unsure what the Stanley No would be), the Jack Plane and their Jointer. I’ve been pleased with the results throughout this year. I sharpen the blades about once a quarter or during long breaks, and whenContinue reading “Gear Review: Groz Planes”
Tag Archives: Education
How To Re-Plant Galveston Bay Saltgrass (Wetland Project)
My students and I took a little trip down to Baytown to participate in the harvesting of saltgrass for replanting in the Galveston Bay. The students learned a little about the destruction/erosion of coastal wetlands, such as bays and estuaries. They learned about the wildlife which depends on coastal wetlands to survive and grow. WeContinue reading “How To Re-Plant Galveston Bay Saltgrass (Wetland Project)”
This Week in the Classroom: Setting Up the Classroom in Stations
Success in the classroom begins before the students even set foot in the workshop. Yesterday saw the re-opening of school after a long Spring Break. My “classroom” looked like this: Let’s take a closer look. First, a young man has been building and designing a bookshelf over the past quarter. He’s just getting started sizing stock. Continue reading “This Week in the Classroom: Setting Up the Classroom in Stations”
This Week in the Classroom: What Do Plants Eat? And How Does It Grow Leaves? And Other Teaching Errors
What exactly, is a plant’s food? And where do the raw elements that make up a tree trunk come from? Take a moment and think up two answers. I had a student ask these questions on a recent field trip. The answer given by the speaking biologist to the second question was wrong. In fact,Continue reading “This Week in the Classroom: What Do Plants Eat? And How Does It Grow Leaves? And Other Teaching Errors”
Teacher Resources: TEDTalks on Education
The TED Talks started in the 1980’s as a Silicon-Valley conference focused on software, technology and design. Now, it’s the destination for smart hipsters and brilliant researchers, visionaries and experimenters to express their passions and become the circus attraction. I’ve been watching a few of these talks on and off for a year or so. Continue reading “Teacher Resources: TEDTalks on Education”
This Week In the Classroom: Quadracycle In Progress & DIY Wood Bongo Drums
It’s that time of week again – I’ve had some personal living arrangements wetness and have been living out of a dufflebag and a smile. Reminds me of college, but at that time I didn’t have two in diapers… At the home workshop, I’ve been banging away. So, in one project, my segmented tube experimentsContinue reading “This Week In the Classroom: Quadracycle In Progress & DIY Wood Bongo Drums”
This Week In the Classroom: Computers Ain’t Everything
Took over our conference room to work through some design challenges today. My students used Google SketchUp to start creating jewelry boxes, art car vehicles and bookshelves. During the Art Car class, I led the group building a 3D model on the big (like 50-60″ screen) TV. Computers+big screen TV+3d modeling software+we are building aContinue reading “This Week In the Classroom: Computers Ain’t Everything”
This Week In the Shop: Internet as a “Presentation”
An Idea: have students present projects to the internet in a controlled, safe way with my school’s brand on it. I’m unsure the success or necessity of this particular brand of teacher-activism because it’s mainly driven by my need to go HOW COOL IS THAT! If I could spend half my day yelling “how coolContinue reading “This Week In the Shop: Internet as a “Presentation””
This Week in the Classroom: Quality from a Student
Finished only one true project this week in the shop. Instead of trying to complete projects with the students, I slowed down and tried to focus on the journey, and focus on quality. What does it look like in my shop, and do I facilitate it, or do my students discover it for themselves? WhatContinue reading “This Week in the Classroom: Quality from a Student”
This Week In the Classroom: New Tools and Old Tools In the Shop (It’s Not What You Think)
Just got the best new, free tool in the woodshop today. It looks like this: It’s a printed out (thank god the paper-waster nazi wasn’t around) version of the ENTIRE trilogy of Mission Furniture and How to Make It published by Project Gutenberg via Popular Mechanics from 1910. The students flip through it and findContinue reading “This Week In the Classroom: New Tools and Old Tools In the Shop (It’s Not What You Think)”
WSC Designs 