In a neighborhood of working single parents and working couples, theres
often not enough time for the kids during the week and often even on
week ends. So, when school assignments which require making something
come along, and given kids predisposition for putting off stuff they
dont think they want to do, last minute science projects can get a bit
hectic.
But if the neighborhood has one or more people who dont HAVE to be
anywhere, or do anything - me - even last minute projects can still be
fun - for the adult and the kid(s).
Case in point - six graders, two girls specifically - assignment for
voc ed:
- take a piece of cardboard and cut it into an 11 x 11 square
- in the upper right corner, one inch in from the top and right
side, make a 3/4 diameter hole
- in the lower left corner, one inch in from the bottom and the
left side, make a 3/4 diameter hole
- connect the two holes with something(s) that will cause a marble
to get from the upper right hole to the lower left hole, in
5 or more seconds.
- the somthing should be self supporting once constructed.
Now kids are great scroungers. If you turn them loose in your shop
theyll find your best stuff and want you to cut what they want out of
the middle of a 4x8 sheet of birdseye maple ply or a piece of rosewood -
girls especially. In this case I was able to limit the damage to the
tops of two cardboard filing boxes.
Having been forewarned weeks ago of this upcoming project, two days
before the due date I picked out some 1/2 baltic birch ply pieces -
12x12 or a bit bigger, ripped a bunch of doug fir and redwood 2x4
cutoffs to 3/4 x 3/4 lengths and, using a round end box bit, routed a
U-shaped groove down each piece and chop sawed them to 11 lengths.
Being as how they still had another day to work on the project before it
was due, the first day was just cutting cardboard and ply to size,
drilling the two holes where they were suppose to go and wood glueing
the back to a base, also about 11x11. That required some reinforcement
so they found some cutoffs from mitered corners and glued them where
they thought theyd hold things best. They then had the excuse of we
cant do anymore til the glue dries. Bye - and thank you. - and they
were gone. But theyd learned to use a sliding miter saw (weating ear
protection, a face shield and with me with my hand on the saw motor and
the other ready to move a kid out of harms way), what a marking gauge
was and how to use it, what a dial caliper was, how to use it and how to
read it and why knowing how to convert a fraction to decimal was handy
stuff to know - 3/4 = 0.75. They also knew what a forstner bit looks
like and how to use a drill press. Not bad for an hour of work.
The second day, the day before the project was due, I spent some time
cleaning off the work bench, covering the top with construction paper
and setting out - a bench hook, a dozuki saw, the hot glue gun - with
extra sticks of glue - and a piece of scrap ply for the hot glue gun to
sit - and drip -on.
The girls got out of school at 3:30 and around 4 oclock they came
through the gate on their bicycles - in the rain. (Im sure theyll tell
their kid(s) Back when I was a kid, sometimes we had to ride I bikes
ALL THE WAY from school to home - IN THE RAIN!) Note that this is
California and THE RAIN in this case was more like a drizzle than real
honest to god rain.
I was ready to work - but they werent - yet. We need an after school
snack! That meant finding some bell peppers, a knife, cutting board and
a paper plate, along with the ranch dressing and some napkins, with a
cup of coca-cola for some caffiene and sugar. The single serving
pinaple in syrup made for an adequate dessert.
Only then were they ready to work. Showed them the stuff on the
bench, warned them that if they got glue on my bench top or cut into it
on accident that theyd never leave the shop alive. I plugged in the
hot glue gun, warned them that hot glue sticks to skin really well - and
burns enough to blister - then asked Wheres your marbles?
DUH! WE need marbles! - and off they went in search of marbles. Its
a good thing one of them has a little brother who happens to have
marbles, two less marbles now.
In only a half an hour, they were back. WE confirmed that the marble
would stay in the track Id made and that the steeper the slope of the
track, the faster the marble rolled. They figured out the longer the
track was the more time itd take for the marble to roll from A to
B. We talked about ways to lengthen the track and how to get the
marble to change directions. When they got to the We know what were
doing - now go away! I went back to the chop stick I was turning - all
of 8 feet from where they were working. I was expecting a lot of
would you . . .? requests and I need help interruptions. I was
wrong.
I need a piece of wood to hold this up. Can we use stuff out of this
scrap box? Confirming that the scrap box in question was in fact a
scrap box I said Sure - but just stuff out of THIS box. Stay away from
my box of exotics stuff! I showed them how to use the bench hook and
the dozuki saw, again warning that if they cut into my bench I was going
to kill one or both of them. Also noted that aby blood that got on my
bench was to be wiped off BEFORE any crying or screaming could begin.
And I returned to my turning.
A half an hour went by with a lot of talking and singing and laughing
before the next interruption.
Can you cut this piece of plastic piple in half down its length on THAT
machine (the bandsaw)? Did that, and found two 1/2 copper elbows and
some 3/4 vinyl tubing for them to consider using. Went back to
turning.
Over the next hour I heard a lot of One Mississippi, Two Mississipi,
..., If I put this piece here and glue that there . . . , why dont
you ... and would you hold this here so I can .... It was hard not
to peek or get into you should . . . but I stayed at the lathe.
An hour and a half into the work I heard ... nine Mississippi! Im
DONE! Wheres the paint?
Off to the metal, fireproof cabinet full of finishing stuff.
Coincidentally, it contained spray cans - Day-Glo green, Day-Glo Pink,
Robins Egg Blue and a can of just plane purple - purchased months
earlier for a Cat Condominium Project that had stalled out. Amanda, the
fashion diva, naturally went for the Day-Glo Pink.
While I set up a place to paint, you shake that can til the marble
inside rattles - for a minute or two.
Theres a marble inside? Is it Day-Glo Pink? I wanna use the marble
inside for MY marble coaster! How do we cut this can open to get MY
marble?
After explaining that the marble would be covered in paint and would
have to dry - and even then would have a flat spot were it touched
whatever it would sit on while drying - that idea was dropped. YOU
could make US marbles out of wood right? Thatd be really cool! Rather
than get into wood expands and contracts with changes in humidity so it
wouldnt stay round for long I went with a simple No!, and showed her
how to spray paint without a lot of runs and drips then turned her loose
with the spray can. When she was done I had her clear the tip and
explained why that was required BEFORE putting the cap back on.
This will have to dry right? - and she took off - for home - to get
stuff for my marble coaster. The stuff was a Sharpe pen - black for
the spots, a jar of gold glitter, three small plastic leapords (sp?)
and a leapord print scraf - the THEME for her coaster. The glitter was
carefully sprinkled in the bottom of the track, none where the marble
would roll, and it stuck nicely in the wet paint. A few dots of hot glue
for each animal held them in place, a bit of creative wrapping of the
scarf around the piece and she was done - and it worked - Nine
Mississipis.
Dont know about them, but I learned a lot. Not sure about the glitter
now scattered on the floor around the bench though.
If you have a kid or two, or there are kids in the neighborhood,
consider becoming a teacher/helper. It can be quite rewarding - and a
lot of fun. Then they turn into teenagers and all bets are off.
charlie b
"charlie b" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> In a neighborhood of working single parents and working couples, there's
> often not enough "time" for the kids during the week and often even on
> week ends. So, when school assignments which require making something
> come along, and given kids predisposition for putting off stuff they
> don't think they want to do, last minute science projects can get a bit
> hectic.
>
> But if the neighborhood has one or more people who don't HAVE to be
> anywhere, or do anything - me - even last minute projects can still be
> fun - for the "adult" and the kid(s).
>
> Case in point - six graders', two girls specifically - assignment for
You're brave. I shudder at the liability, grown men these days can't
entertain young girls.
Locutus wrote:
>
> You're brave. I shudder at the liability, grown men these days can't
> entertain young girls.
Gates always open, shop door and garage door, both visible from
the stree open during shop time, all lights on brightly. Parent(s)
stop in to visit, check progress on The Project or to drag their kid
home for lunch or dinner. Doors always open.
No kid uses the table saw, bandsaw or the router. And when they
use the oscillating spindle sander, miter saw or drill press, I'm
right there, the piece, when possible secured mechanically and
one of my hands is on, or very near, the OFF switch, the other
ready to pull, push or lift the kid away from sharp spinning
things. Long hair must be tied back, no loose sleeves, no bracelets,
necklaces or rings etc. If the power tool makes noise ear protection
is mandatory as are safety glasses/goggles or face shield.
It's interesting watching an "old hand" give a newbie The Shop
Tour - naming the various machines, describing what each
does and always the "you have to wear . . ." rule.
charlie b
I came up with two ideas for working with kids. "Chef Bananas" and "Grocery
Shopping = Math."
The first was to help an elementary school teacher with NUTRITION. Long
story short, I dressed up in a green apron with a yellow "bandanna" thing we
made and a real chef's" hat and came in from time to time to make healthy
treats for the class. Banana Milkshakes was the first thing - hence the
name. Banana Jelly (just mash up a banana and spread it on toast) was
another.
The Grocery Shopping = Math was designed for my granddaughters while here on
vacation in the Summer. We get all these competing Grocery sales ads every
Wednesday and I would task the urchins to read all of them and create a
small shopping list and a chart showing which store had the best price on
several basic items.
The ads are great because they have pictures as well as text and even a real
young child can "help" by finding the ad for Milk, leaving it to the older
sibling to "do the math."
We are trying to get the local schools to use it as a regular feature and
"homework" assignment. This would also get Mom and Dad involved as well as
open discussions as to nutritional concerns and diet choices.
I have a "package" on the latter if anyone is interested.
"Norman D. Crow" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
>
> "Fly-by-Night CC" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> In article <[email protected]>,
>> charlie b <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>>> > You're brave. I shudder at the liability, grown men these days can't
>>> > entertain young girls.
>>>
>>> Gates always open, shop door and garage door, both visible from
>>> the stree open during shop time, all lights on brightly. Parent(s)
>>> stop in to visit, check progress on The Project or to drag their kid
>>> home for lunch or dinner. Doors always open.
>>
>> It's a sad statement that Locutus makes. I volunteer about 5-8
>> hours/week in my daughter's elementary school with kids from
>> kindergarten through 5th grade. Folks who aren't regularly in the
>> company of a number kids wouldn't believe how many boys and girls are
>> starved for an adult male in their lives; many, many homes are
>> single-mother homes; and the school has a total of 3 men on staff - one
>> is vice principal, the other is a 5th grade teacher, the last is the PE
>> teacher - all the rest of the staff, classroom teachers, support, and
>> special academic program teachers are women. Over the last two years,
>> I've been hugged many times and asked in more than a couple instances to
>> be a boy's or girl's dad - or have been told they wished I was his/her
>> dad. I've not initiated or encouraged any of this but certainly don't
>> recoil or reject the child's expressions due to fear of someone
>> misinterpreting or jumping to conclusions.
>>
>> We men live in such a state of paralysis over merely interacting with
>> non-familial children. The real losers are the kids. Many don't have a
>> positive male adult in their lives; many are taught to fear all unknown
>> males. We all have an opportunity to be a positive role model for both
>> boys and girls.
>>
>> I, like you Charlie, take precautions to be in open environments with no
>> barriers to others observing. Any time I am working one on one with a
>> child, I make sure I am in a public place - like sitting in the school
>> hallway, library, or just a quiet corner of their regular classroom. By
>> doing so, you are not only taking steps to diffuse any misunderstanding
>> by others, you are also offering the child safety and comfort that
>> others are close-by.
>>
>> I encourage others to work with kids - it is such a rewarding experience
>> and it can make a world of difference in a child's life. Good on ya'
>> Charlie.
>> --
>> Owen Lowe
>
>
> For Charlie: What a wonderful tale, and kudos for being there for these
> kids.
>
> Owen: Kudos to you as well. Those children are so needy of role models
> and affection.
>
> Many of you have heard this before, and I'm not looking for appreciation,
> just adding to Owens's statement. This is my 8th year as a volunteer.
> After Uncle Sam "retired" me from driving truck(Type II diabetes, insulin
> dependent), my best friend got me involved. He's a Special Ed teacher
> since mid '60s, working with 2,3,4th graders with emotional problems. In
> this classroom we see it all; ADD, ADHD, abuse of all sorts, anger
> management issues, you name it. Primarily single parent/welfare
> households. Lots of "tough love" in maintaining discipline while still
> trying to teach them words, basic math, reading, etc. For the last 2 yrs.
> we have had a marvelous para-professional(teacher's aide) who initiated
> Tuesday "cooking" class. Tuesday afternoons is Crockpot cookery. This is a
> multi-pronged lesson, teaching the kids about math(measurements,
> fractional cups, etc.), reading(the recipes), and becoming
> self-sufficient, learning about peeling potatoes, carrots, chopping things
> like peppers, onions, etc., learning about setting up a "kitchen" area,
> washing & drying dishes. What is prepared on Tues. afternoon is then
> warmed up & eaten during morning snack time on Wed.
>
> Hugs are the greatest reward in the world, and we get lots of them.
>
> --
> Nahmie
> The only road to success is always under construction.
>
charlie b wrote:
>In a neighborhood of working single parents and working couples, theres.........<snip>.........teenagers and all bets are off.
>
> charlie b
>
>
Great story!!
Good to see there are still folks out there willing to take the time to
teach things properly!! Didn't know this still happened in Southern
California. At least it doesn't in my neighborhood. Language must be a
barrier. Too bad.
"Fly-by-Night CC" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> In article <[email protected]>,
> charlie b <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> > You're brave. I shudder at the liability, grown men these days can't
>> > entertain young girls.
>>
>> Gates always open, shop door and garage door, both visible from
>> the stree open during shop time, all lights on brightly. Parent(s)
>> stop in to visit, check progress on The Project or to drag their kid
>> home for lunch or dinner. Doors always open.
>
> It's a sad statement that Locutus makes. I volunteer about 5-8
> hours/week in my daughter's elementary school with kids from
> kindergarten through 5th grade. Folks who aren't regularly in the
> company of a number kids wouldn't believe how many boys and girls are
> starved for an adult male in their lives; many, many homes are
> single-mother homes; and the school has a total of 3 men on staff - one
> is vice principal, the other is a 5th grade teacher, the last is the PE
> teacher - all the rest of the staff, classroom teachers, support, and
> special academic program teachers are women. Over the last two years,
> I've been hugged many times and asked in more than a couple instances to
> be a boy's or girl's dad - or have been told they wished I was his/her
> dad. I've not initiated or encouraged any of this but certainly don't
> recoil or reject the child's expressions due to fear of someone
> misinterpreting or jumping to conclusions.
>
> We men live in such a state of paralysis over merely interacting with
> non-familial children. The real losers are the kids. Many don't have a
> positive male adult in their lives; many are taught to fear all unknown
> males. We all have an opportunity to be a positive role model for both
> boys and girls.
>
> I, like you Charlie, take precautions to be in open environments with no
> barriers to others observing. Any time I am working one on one with a
> child, I make sure I am in a public place - like sitting in the school
> hallway, library, or just a quiet corner of their regular classroom. By
> doing so, you are not only taking steps to diffuse any misunderstanding
> by others, you are also offering the child safety and comfort that
> others are close-by.
>
> I encourage others to work with kids - it is such a rewarding experience
> and it can make a world of difference in a child's life. Good on ya'
> Charlie.
> --
> Owen Lowe
For Charlie: What a wonderful tale, and kudos for being there for these
kids.
Owen: Kudos to you as well. Those children are so needy of role models
and affection.
Many of you have heard this before, and I'm not looking for appreciation,
just adding to Owens's statement. This is my 8th year as a volunteer. After
Uncle Sam "retired" me from driving truck(Type II diabetes, insulin
dependent), my best friend got me involved. He's a Special Ed teacher since
mid '60s, working with 2,3,4th graders with emotional problems. In this
classroom we see it all; ADD, ADHD, abuse of all sorts, anger management
issues, you name it. Primarily single parent/welfare households. Lots of
"tough love" in maintaining discipline while still trying to teach them
words, basic math, reading, etc. For the last 2 yrs. we have had a marvelous
para-professional(teacher's aide) who initiated Tuesday "cooking" class.
Tuesday afternoons is Crockpot cookery. This is a multi-pronged lesson,
teaching the kids about math(measurements, fractional cups, etc.),
reading(the recipes), and becoming self-sufficient, learning about peeling
potatoes, carrots, chopping things like peppers, onions, etc., learning
about setting up a "kitchen" area, washing & drying dishes. What is prepared
on Tues. afternoon is then warmed up & eaten during morning snack time on
Wed.
Hugs are the greatest reward in the world, and we get lots of them.
--
Nahmie
The only road to success is always under construction.
In article <[email protected]>,
charlie b <[email protected]> wrote:
> > You're brave. I shudder at the liability, grown men these days can't
> > entertain young girls.
>
> Gates always open, shop door and garage door, both visible from
> the stree open during shop time, all lights on brightly. Parent(s)
> stop in to visit, check progress on The Project or to drag their kid
> home for lunch or dinner. Doors always open.
It's a sad statement that Locutus makes. I volunteer about 5-8
hours/week in my daughter's elementary school with kids from
kindergarten through 5th grade. Folks who aren't regularly in the
company of a number kids wouldn't believe how many boys and girls are
starved for an adult male in their lives; many, many homes are
single-mother homes; and the school has a total of 3 men on staff - one
is vice principal, the other is a 5th grade teacher, the last is the PE
teacher - all the rest of the staff, classroom teachers, support, and
special academic program teachers are women. Over the last two years,
I've been hugged many times and asked in more than a couple instances to
be a boy's or girl's dad - or have been told they wished I was his/her
dad. I've not initiated or encouraged any of this but certainly don't
recoil or reject the child's expressions due to fear of someone
misinterpreting or jumping to conclusions.
We men live in such a state of paralysis over merely interacting with
non-familial children. The real losers are the kids. Many don't have a
positive male adult in their lives; many are taught to fear all unknown
males. We all have an opportunity to be a positive role model for both
boys and girls.
I, like you Charlie, take precautions to be in open environments with no
barriers to others observing. Any time I am working one on one with a
child, I make sure I am in a public place - like sitting in the school
hallway, library, or just a quiet corner of their regular classroom. By
doing so, you are not only taking steps to diffuse any misunderstanding
by others, you are also offering the child safety and comfort that
others are close-by.
I encourage others to work with kids - it is such a rewarding experience
and it can make a world of difference in a child's life. Good on ya'
Charlie.
--
Owen Lowe
The Fly-by-Night Copper Company
__________
"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the
Corporate States of America and to the
Republicans for which it stands, one nation,
under debt, easily divisible, with liberty
and justice for oil."
- Wiley Miller, Non Sequitur, 1/24/05