[Woodcarver] wood shop

[SANDIE BURGDORF]

Hi Merrilee,

Thought I would add my 2 cents worth - that's probably all it is worth. I hope your school district realizes that they can't put the typical class size of 28 students into a shop class. Our Middle School tried to have no more than 16 in a class and that was 7th and 8th graders. After retiring I taught carving in an afterschool program. I found that 5th grade boys were all over the place and found it very difficult to sit and control the use of the knife. 6th graders were slightly better and 7th graders were fine. I limited the group to 10 and made them sit in a circle where I could see all of them at all times. I can just see a large class of 5th graders with saws and hammers in their hands. If the teacher really wants the students to be hands on and supervised, he will need small class sizes and assistants to keep an eye out.

You can have the best plans in the world but you need a pair of eyes on all students at all times. And I agree that Ivan has the best suggestions for plans.

Sandie
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