Two essential ingredients for making clean, thin cuts in the DCD woodshop! Of course, intense concentration, protective goggles, and a willingness to try are also key in helping these second graders become productive woodworkers.
In this winter woodworking project, students are busy crafting shapes and letter cutouts. They are learning how to make interior cuts, understanding the importance of grain direction in wood strength, practicing measuring skills, and engaging in a basic design process. Building on three years of previous experience in the DCD woodshop, these young artisans are adding advanced skills to their toolkits, including the use of a coping saw, bit brace, and file.
The project begins with the students designing their shapes, ensuring each design is at least “three fingers wide.” They then transfer their patterns from paper to wood. As they bring their shapes to life in 3D, they use coping saws to follow the outlines, making precise interior cuts along the way. A bit brace is employed to drill a hole, enabling the finished product to hang on a wall or bookshelf.
Throughout the process, there’s plenty of sanding and filing to ensure the shapes have a smooth, polished finish. These second graders are not only learning valuable woodworking techniques but also gaining confidence in their abilities to transform ideas into tangible creations.
