Teaching others to Carve

Goodmorning Gang,
Last night was the bi-monthly meeting of our local carving club the Barrie Woodcarvers. I had been scheduled to teach the club how to carve a woodspirit in bark. I have never taught carving before so I didnt know how it would turn out or be recieved. On a good night at our club you usually get 15 to 20 people at the most. I had gone out and got about 40 pieces of bark. To my astonishment after I had set up there were close to 50 people in attendance. We had to break some of the bigger pieces in half so that we had enough to go around.
The seminar went very well and just about everyone finshed or almost finished the carving. I had done a post a little while back asking the question of some of the things I should cover while teaching carving and got some excellent advice.
Now one thing I learned that generated me to this post is that I thought that a simple woodspirit would be easy and that no one would have any problems. I was wrong what seems easy for you is not necessary easy for someone else. I was amazed on how much individual teaching I had to do. At the end of the night I was exhausted. You may be wondering what the point of this post is. Just to let you know if you are going to teach be prepared that you are going to have to spend time with each and every student. Although this was a club meeting, if you are going to do this as a course that is far too many students to teach at once. I found out that probably 12 at the most would have been lots. That every student does not learn at the same pace. Some are slower than others and some you have to show everything.Also there are the experienced carvers that will get ahead of you as well. I was also amazed at how different everyones carving turned out each and every face was different there probably over 40 carvings all different. Having said that everyone was really happy with there carvings I didnt loose one student so they must have enjoyed it.
Well I guess I have rambled on enough just wanted to share my thoughts on instucting with you and some of the things you might not have thought of if you are desiding to teach a course.
Colin

[mdallensr]

One of the great benefits of teaching is learning. It takes special folks to teach and it sounds like you did a great job. Thanks for addding to the body of knowledge about wood carving.

[Kenny_S]

It may be easier to teach someone who has never carved. I taught Cub Scouts how to carve Ivory Soap and was amased how some could make a carving of something. Mostly the just made smaller soap chips. I have talked to several different carvers and some of them believe that just because one can carve, doesn't make them a teacher. I think you have accomplished both, a known carver and a teacher.
Thanks Colin for sharing your experiences

That would be a little overwhelming. Did some of the other club members that carve help with the newbies? People must like your carvings, I bet they were all excited to learn from you.
Kenny S.. what kind of knives to the scouts use on the soap? I remember carving on Ivory when I was a kid, but I don't remember what the teacher gave us to carve 'with'.

[Kenny_S]

For the first time, I had sharpen plastic knives. Not they were real sharpe but had a few minor cuts, then after a couple of times on the soap, I let them use cheapo pareing knives. Sharp but not like our carving knives. Some more minor cuts but all in all, they did a great job. Found thaty the Cubs liked to carve. I was a merit badge conculor for Carving with the Boy Scouts and I taught them how to handle and sharpen their knives and how to make stop cuts,etc. Found it to be a rewarding experience.

TC,
Good point about the experienced carvers helping out. Actually only one of the other carvers close to the end came and offered to help me and I really appreciated his help. But until you mentioned it I had never thought of that. I did observe though that some of the experienced carvers were having some trouble themselfs with the project. Sometimes somethings that are quite simple are difficult for others. I speak of this from experience I would just love to carve a bird but I just dont seem to be able to master them. I wouldnt mind just doing a smoothy but I dont know I just have a block when it comes to birds. I hate that as well because I love bird carvings and have collected a few over the years if only I could just master them.
Colin :'(

Congratulations on your successful teaching experience. Â*Your post illustrates why carvers who teach regularly limit the class size, usually to about 10 - 15 students. Â*And why teachers in the public schools complain about class size; but I digress.
Stu Martin's method of teaching is a good example of how to equitably balance instructor/student time. Â*He begins with some overviews for the entire class and then begins a sequential rotation of the students. Â*The first comes forward to his table and sits with him. Â*The second student also comes forward but stands and watches him instruct the first. Â*After a fixed time period, the first returns to his seat and continues on his own. Â*The second student sits with Stu for instruction and the third student comes forward, stands, and watches. Â*This rotation goes on until all the students have had a turn. Â*At this point there may be more overview, a break, or the rotation may begin again.
I enjoyed my time with him and felt like I got my fair share of his time.
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A book I have on soap carving has plans for making various tools using craft sticks (popsicle sticks). I've made wooden skews, knives, and gouges using about 3-1/2 sticks each.

Colin,
Welcome to the club.

Hi Colin,

Just reading up on older posts when I came across this one on your teaching experience, and just wanted to say: Well done. Passing on your experience is a very rewarding.

I began teaching a couple of newbys this past winter ( a retired surgeon and a long time kit builder), the fine art of scratch building wooden ship modelling. Felt good! They enjoyed it, and were happy with their new found success, and I'm just as proud of their accomplishments as they are.

All the best,

Bob

[squbrigg]

Woops, sorry, wasn't logged in.

Bob