Third Grade
Emphasis in Third Grade is placed on developing a proficiency with basic woodworking tools and materials, introducing the use of use of measuring and marking tools (ruler, try square, marking gauge, sliding t-bevel, etc.). Projects may be of a specific design (such as a paper napkin holder made with templates provided by the instructor); based on a theme (“design a robot” or “make something for your pet”); group projects (“build a space city”); projects requested by the classroom teacher (equipment for science experiments) or independent projects made from wood scraps.
The Third Grade is given instruction in the use of the drill press and is allowed to use this machine under close supervision.
Fourth and Fifth Grade
Students in these grades continue to develop proficiency with hand tools, become more familiar with the use of the drill press and are introduced to portable power tools such as the orbital sander and the electric hand drill. There are fewer projects of a specific design assigned to the Fourth and Fifth Grades. Greater emphasis is put on theme projects (“design a bird house”, “design and build a marble maze”). Students are frequently permitted to work on projects of their own choice.
Every two years, the fourth and fifth graders participate in the “East Woods School Gravity Drive Car Contest.” Model cars, designed and built by the students, are run down a ramp to determine which will go the greatest distance.
Sixth Grade
Sixth Grade Industrial Arts students are introduced to metalworking through a unit on jewelry making. Working primarily with sterling silver, students learn basic skills such as wire forming, filing, sawing, soldering and polishing. Once this unit is completed, the balance of the Sixth Grade term is devoted to independent projects in metal and/or wood. The use of the bandsaw is introduced in this grade.
Seventh through Ninth Grade
Students in these grades have access to all the woodworking equipment in the Industrial Arts program. Use of the table saw is carefully monitored.
Industrial Arts students in the three upper grades work primarily on independent projects; however, seventh graders are given a brief review of jewelry making techniques and are encouraged to incorporate stone-setting into their silver jewelry projects.
Grading and Reports
There are no hard-and-fast rules to determine what constitutes good performance in Industrial Arts. There is a wide diversity of ability at all age levels, and many woodworking and metal-smithing skills take years to develop to proficiency. With this in mind, Industrial Arts reports are heavily weighted to reflect a student’s interest and effort more than his or her level of ability.