Woodworking Program 5 th Grade Woodworking Program Fifth

Woodworking Program

5 th Grade Woodworking Program Fifth grade is the year we introduce formal woodwork at Stonebridge. Though the students may have some exposure to woodwork through the various programs here, it is in fifth grade that they first set foot in the woodshop and start a journey that will continue till they leave Stonebridge School.

The fifth grade projects are created to draw them into this new world. Hand carving mice from green wood strengthens the creative will as well as the muscles in the hand. Calluses and sore fingers remind the students of the physical world and the capacity of their will to effect change. The detailed work and fine motor skills developed cutting and gluing tiny mice ears requires patience and care. Development of these skills helps the students in life and gives students who may not exceed in academics the confidence in themselves they need to succeed.

The goal of Nature Exploration is to fuel our students' sense of curiosity, fulfill their desire for inquiry, and to help cultivate a greater connection to the natural world.

6 th Grade Woodworking Program The Sixth grade projects are an introduction to beauty and balance. The importance of form, function and feel are all explored this year. With hard work, a careful eye, and quite a bit of sanding and shaping the students create truly beautiful and unique butter knives and dishes. The standards for finished projects are raised considerably this year. Teaching the students to use their eyes and hands to see and feel the subtle imperfections in their work is a major theme in this year's work. The overarching goal is for them to understand, and recognize what a finished piece looks and feels like.

7 th Grade Woodworking Program Form, function, balance and beauty are all explored in this year of woodwork. Skills introduced last year are built upon this year. The spoons the students create look deceptively simple. But nothing could be further from the truth. The students are challenged to leave their heads and focus on the physical world. This is a highly social time in their lives. Rising above the distractions and focusing on shaping and carving gives the students a small measure of peace in their lives, if for just a moment.

Finding inner-peace through the power of their creative will is the real lesson in 7 th grade. The creation of simple elemental tools gives the student a true sense of purpose. This is why the project is simple and useful. This year the salad sets are carved from a single, solid piece of Mahogany, a beautiful rich wood that makes incredible spoons.

8 th Grade Woodworking Program Eight grade is the final year of woodwork at SBS. Fittingly the students are presented with their most challenging project. The three legged stool.

The Three Legged Stool is a functional, practical piece that serves the students in multiple ways. This project is a big departure from their other works. Until this year the students’ projects were one object carved from a single piece of wood. The stools however, are a collection of parts that must be assembled to create a single object. This is the perfect metaphor for the students' development.

As they grow and enter the world around them they are beginning to form opinions and beliefs from their experiences. The experience of creating a single object from many parts roots these processes in the physical. Further strengthening their creative will. By this time the students have all the tools in the woodshop at their disposal. The skills they have developed, with the tools they need come together to create their final woodworking piece, a lovely stool that will last a lifetime.

Stone Bridge School Woodworking Room