Crafting More Than Objects: The Impact of Woodworking Class on Students

Certain school subjects stand as pillars, providing students with far more than just classroom skills—they offer experiences that shape their intellectual and emotional growth. Woodworking or “Crafts” class, often overlooked in today's digital age, plays a pivotal role in nurturing a well-rounded education that extends beyond the confines of textbooks and classrooms. 

At The Green Vale School, the Crafts program has long been a point of pride in the curriculum. While it cherishes traditions like the iconic 3rd Grade nutcrackers and 5th Grade sailboats, the essence of this program transcends these objects. The true essence is rooted in the process—the learning that goes beyond what is crafted and extends into the very act of creation.

Hands-On Learning in a Digital Era

In an age dominated by screens and keyboards, hands-on learning holds unparalleled significance. Crafts class offers a sanctuary where students engage their tactile senses, working with real materials in three-dimensional space. This experiential learning not only caters to diverse learning styles but also fosters a deeper understanding of concepts, making education more holistic and comprehensive.

According to an article written for the New York Times, “Kids learn from physical work just as they do from mental labor, and when the two are interwoven, academic learning can also improve. Moving our bodies and letting our minds wander bring renewed focus. According to popular educational theory, some kids are what educators call tactile learners—they do especially well with a kinesthetic instruction that involves actively doing over passively absorbing. Schools apply these ideas to early childhood education, with its emphasis on sand tables and hands-on learning. But older students, particularly boys and kids with attention difficulties, also benefit.”

Green Vale Crafts teacher Scott Carro joined the School from Austin, TX, where he ran woodworking programs for children as young as Kindergarten. He brought with him a collection of antique tools, many of which the students use regularly, such as a shaving horse he made himself, and a set of Stanley planes from the 1920s. 

“I love showing them how technology that was in use when the School was founded still works great today.”The Practical Meets the Intellectual

Crafts class represents a fusion of practicality and intellectual engagement. Beyond merely teaching students how to shape wood or create crafts, this class fosters problem-solving skills, spatial awareness, and the ability to transform abstract ideas into tangible objects. Through the process of conceptualization, planning, and execution, students learn the art of translating imagination into reality—a skill that transcends the woodshop and permeates into various aspects of their lives.

Carro takes time to educate his students about different kinds of tools. Showing them how completely different designs can achieve the same end exposes them to engineering and innovation in a tangible way. They compare a Western push-cut saw with a Japanese-style saw, and learn when to use a spokeshave rather than a hand plane. Students understand that “cross cut” and “rip cut” relates to the grain of the wood, which dictates why you need two types of teeth. They learn why a brace generates more torque than a bit drill, and also sample a vintage egg-beater drill.

“They gain appreciation for wood as a material and the ability to build beautiful and useful things,” Carro added. 

Woodworking offers a context for helping students take notice of how things around them are constructed. “I ask them to look at the joinery around their houses. Where do they see dovetail? Where do they see mortise and tenon?” 

He also teaches students about wood itself, and connects different types to different trees. When a black cherry tree fell on campus, Carro was quick to take students outside to observe him cutting sections with a chainsaw and compare the interior to the soft pine used in most classroom projects. Some older students practiced wood splitting. By year end, they will be able to work with boards crafted from the campus tree, proving that “wood does not just come from Home Depot,”  quips Carro.

The Fine Balance of Patience and Persistence

Creating with one's hands demands patience and persistence—values that are often in short supply in today's instant-gratification culture. In Crafts class, students encounter the beauty of delayed gratification. The lengthy process of creating something from scratch teaches them the virtue of perseverance, honing their ability to stay committed to a task until completion. Whether it's building a simple birdhouse or crafting an intricate piece of furniture, the journey fosters discipline and resilience.

Carro also points to the benefits of a long-term project, such as the remarkable year-long 5th Grade boats that start as simple boards. He uses hand tools rather than power tools simply for the gift of “slowing down time”. Attention span, focus, and patience are exercised as a result. 

The process of building from wood entails intellectual and emotional skills such as planning, patience, fine motor skills, abstract thinking, precision, measurement, and self-control. 

“When students bring completed work home, I encourage parents to look beyond just the appearance of the piece. Ask your child what tools they used. Ask what steps they followed in completing it, and what their biggest challenge was.”

Building Blocks of Creativity and Confidence

Crafting involves more than the mastery of tools and materials; it is an act of creative expression. Craft class becomes laboratories of creativity, where students explore the realm of possibilities. The freedom to experiment, to make mistakes, and to innovate without fear of failure cultivates a sense of creative confidence. It's here that students learn to trust their instincts, push boundaries, and embrace the joy of creating something unique—elements crucial for their growth as innovators and problem solvers.

While some of the projects at Green Vale lend themselves to colorful paint jobs, such as 3rd Grade nutcrackers, Carro believes that other pieces benefit more from showing tool marks and natural wood grain. He is introducing students to staining and other ways of finishing the surface. 

Another element Carro has introduced is increased agency in project selection by 8th Grade. Students are more energized—and often take on greater challenges—when able to execute original ideas such as a dog house, a stool, left-handed cooking tools, and a fire-pit bench.

Fostering a Sense of Pride and Ownership

The creations that emerge from these classes are more than just objects; they are manifestations of a student's effort, creativity, and perseverance. The satisfaction of crafting something with one's hands instills a sense of pride and ownership—a feeling that bolsters confidence and self-esteem. It’s the pride of saying, “I made this,” that leaves an indelible mark on a student's journey of self-discovery and personal development.

Crafts class stands as an indispensable component of education, offering a multifaceted approach that transcends the confines of traditional learning. By honing practical skills, nurturing creativity, fostering patience, and instilling a sense of pride, these classes empower students and arm them with a unique blend of knowledge, skills, and confidence.

When Carro was asked how he can gauge student engagement. His response was immediate: “When I ring the bell to stop work and no one stops.”