The goals and objectives of the Industrial Arts program are as follows:
- to foster the ability to think in three dimensions
- to teach the necessity of following a logical sequence to complete a task
- to introduce students to Industrial Arts tools and equipment
- to teach the fundamentals of Industrial Arts safety
- to practice woodworking skills
- to engender students' pride in their work and appreciation for good craftsmanship
- to provide experiences which will aid the development of fine motor skills and eye-hand coordination
- to create a relaxed environment as a change of pace from the academic environment
Third and Fourth Grade Program
The goals for this program are to introduce and develop skill in the use of basic hand tools, foster creative thinking, teach the fundamentals of Industrial Arts safety, encourage cooperation and develop a feeling of pride in one’s work. The whole class usually will be working on the same phase of construction of their projects, using the same tools and materials, making it possible for the instructor to demonstrate their proper use to the class as a whole and simplifying the task of monitoring the student’s progress. Opportunity is provided several times each term for students to work on a “theme” project (“design a robot,” “make something for your pet”) or a free project (usually from wood scraps). This is an opportunity for students to express their individual creative abilities and allows the instructor to observe the way they make use of the skills they have been developing.
Third and fourth graders begin to learn the use of certain machine tools: drill press, orbital sander, electric hand drill. The use of the drill press in particular is closely monitored, especially in Third Grade. Industrial Arts safety is repeatedly stressed both for the operator and those waiting their turn to use the equipment. By Fifth Grade, most students have gained proficiency in the use to this equipment. In all cases, the use of power tools is regarded as a privilege that must be earned by demonstrating an understanding of proper safety procedures.
Fifth through Ninth Grade Program
The goals for this program are to further develop proficiency in the use of hand tools and selected power tools, to reinforce safe work habits established in the lower grades, particularly as they relate to power tools and to encourage independent thinking, pride in one’s work and an appreciation of good craftsmanship.
In the Sixth Grade students are introduced to metalworking through a unit on jewelry making. Basic sawing, forming, soldering, polishing and stone-setting skills are taught. These skills are further reinforced at the beginning of the Seventh Grade term. Students may, at their option, continue to work on jewelry projects in the Eighth and Ninth Grade.
Woodworking projects in the upper grades are usually chosen by the students themselves. Some projects, however, are requested by academic teachers and others are developed jointly by the classroom teacher and the Industrial Arts instructor.
Since there is only one Industrial Arts teacher for the entire school, a student’s progress in Industrial Arts is easy to monitor. This is an ongoing process. The relatively small class size enables the instructor to readily identify problems that students are having with certain tools and techniques and provide individual help. If necessary, the entire lesson can be redirected in order to reinforce a particular skill for the entire class.