teaching a class need an easy project

[HagwoodHunter]

Hey folks I am teaching a wood carving class in a middle school 7th and 8th grade. I am trying to develop a curriculum and need some easy projects. the class meets everyday for 45 min. so any Ideas would be welcome

[Donsexton]

Bears are easy and folks of all ages love them

[Bill Anderson]

look at the videos here or on utube whittler0507 Gene Messer has a lot of carving ideas for the beginner check it out .

[Old_Gord]

Originally Posted by HagwoodHunter

Hey folks I am teaching a wood carving class in a middle school 7th and 8th grade. I am trying to develop a curriculum and need some easy projects. the class meets everyday for 45 min. so any Ideas would be welcome

Well my old favorites are the Shelf mouse and the hedgehog., both easy projects.


OG

[Thor]

What kind of carving? With a knife? or other tools?
I teach a lot of easy lessons, but they are relief. I will be glad to share patterns or ideas if they could be of use to you.
Christina

[HagwoodHunter]

I have the beginner sets of Flex cut tools x15 and each of those have a whittling jack too 7 detail and 8 roughing knives. Mostly carving in the round tried a relief project but need to get some bass wood for that our cedar planks are just to hard. Ordered 2x2x12 bass wood blocks only would not approve the planks ...... yet

[Thor]

I order 1" thick boards from Heneike and cut them up into small pieces (6" X 6") to use for celtic knots, leaves, moon and stars (very simple), or even greenmen.
The most helpful tools are safety gloves in any class, and bench hooks with shelf rubber both under and on top of, that I provide for all of my students.
I think the in the round projects are a good idea. It sometimes takes a bit to have young folks thinking of relief as carving....they do like bears as previously pointed out.
Good luck with your classes and I hope you'll post pictures of the projects.
Christina

[HagwoodHunter]

we have been trying to carve a chain WOW THAT WAS FUN. and of course safety gloves and thumb guards. Easy Santa from last month's issue worked OK but I like the Bear Idea too. We shall see if there are any Arkansas Carver that might be interested in a demo in class just let me know

[uvawyo]

Every thing that has been suggested sounds goo and the 5 minute wizard i my favorite
I am anxious to hear what you decided on and to see photos of the kids work
I have guest taught whittling to 7 thru 12 grades
We had the 7th and 8th do sweet potato carving

[HagwoodHunter]

I am thinking the 5 minute Owl from issue 48