Are you interested in Maker Ed, PBL and Makerspaces? Check out my FREE webinar on PBL and Making and continue the conversation. I discuss how to move from standards to projects to completed curriculum units. <p><a href=”http://vimeo.com/111853425″>Project-Based Learning through a Maker’s Lens</a> from <a href=”http://vimeo.com/nisce”>NISCE</a> on <a href=”https://vimeo.com”>Vimeo</a>.</p>
Tag Archives: Teaching
Making a Makerspace: Planning the Steamworks
This fall, I move into a brand-spanking new classroom. As part of this move, I’ve been heavily involved in the planning, organizing and logistics of moving my school’s Math & Science program into our new digs. In the words of a close colleague of mine, what a great problem to have! Long term readers ofContinue reading “Making a Makerspace: Planning the Steamworks”
This Week in the Classroom: Pantographs
My school spends a lot of time, energy and financial resources on project-based learning. In my experience, teachers use project-based learning as a catch-all term for anything from make-it-take-it projects which last twenty minutes to inquiry-driven, rubric-graded, long-term explorations. Calling the former project-based learning is lazy and misdirection. Creating incredible experiences for students with theContinue reading “This Week in the Classroom: Pantographs”
This Week in the Classroom: Rulers & Frames
Applied Math Made Easy, a hands-on, application-heavy curriculum designed by a pair of teachers from Wisconsin, has a number of great math labs and activities. Using worksheets to convey directions and learning, the curriculum utilizes a conversationalist tone and “interactive reading” (their term, not mine) to let students learn middle school to high school level mathematicsContinue reading “This Week in the Classroom: Rulers & Frames”
This Week In the Shop: One Block Projects – Book Ends
A little while ago, I ran a book review on One Block of Wood. I recently made a pair of bookends using Ms. Tolstrup’s plans out of salvaged pine and live oak. Hope you enjoy the looksee. Read a good book this week. Especially books on pirates! Make it safe & keep the rubberside down.
Come Build the Simple Tea Box @ TX/RX Labs Dec. 1st
The good folks at TX/RX Labs invited me back for another weekend of teaching woodworking. This year, I’ve asked to build some Christmas gifts. We are building the Simple Tea Box – and I’m sending one to the winner of my “First to 30” likes raffle on WoodshopCowboy’s Facebook Page. So like WoodshopCowboy on Facebook,Continue reading “Come Build the Simple Tea Box @ TX/RX Labs Dec. 1st”
Why I Do This: Monday Nights
Why I do this is a continuing series of education..er…ahhh…editorials. If you don’t like ’em, check out my projects! I do a lot of woodworking here, but I do more teaching in real-life. Teaching, whether a reader on these blogs, or at TX/RX labs, or at my work, is what I really love. I’m a self-proclaimedContinue reading “Why I Do This: Monday Nights”
Why I Do This: Invest in Teaching and the Return on Adventure
I think we need a new measurement for tracking the success of our maker ventures, a new yardstick. I propose “Return on Adventure” via MAKE | Maximizing Your ROA (Return on Adventure). There’s been much discussion of the value, in dollars and sense, of a good teacher, via What is a Good Teacher Worth? – NYTimes.com. I’mContinue reading “Why I Do This: Invest in Teaching and the Return on Adventure”
This Week in the Classroom: Block Printing & Stamps
As my students have become more competent with tools in the past few years (and cripes, does it feel weird to say years…) I’ve gotten the chance to think: what would be really cool to do next? What would be just flat out awesome? Here’s my answer: wood & lino prints designed by the student, for the students work.Continue reading “This Week in the Classroom: Block Printing & Stamps”
This Week in the Classroom: Swingin’ Chalkboard Signs
Here’s a few shots of a project build I did a few months ago. The challenge was to build a recycling container from completely recycled materials. I picked up some nice crepe myrtle branches and immediately saw a V shaped stand with a small basket to collect recyclable goods. To bad we never did finishContinue reading “This Week in the Classroom: Swingin’ Chalkboard Signs”
WSC Designs 