Helping Kids Carve

[Linda]

For the last two summers I have been teaching fourth through eighth graders learn to carve at one of the local colleges. I tried something different this year and was astonished at the difference it made with ALL the students (I taught two sessions each summer). This summer I had each student make a polymer clay model of their project before they began carving. Another thing that seemed to really click with the kids was to stress that when sharpening their tools every day (that was the first thing they did at each class) - their tool was not sharp until they could get that little curl on their test stick. They loved sharpening and getting the wood to curl. Lastly, a tip Wanda Marsh gave me in a fish carving class was to close your eyes and feel the wood to tell where the wood needed more carving. The older students were carving lighthouses out of cottonwood bark and many of their projects looked like they had used sandpaper, yet it was only this technique. I couldn't have been more proud of these kids and just had to pass these tips on to others who want to bring kids into the fun!

[gene-messer]

Thank you Linda for helping kid's learn to carve ... I use to teach boy scouts before my work consumed me ..

It's people like you who will one day keep this art alive ..

Thank you so much for helping those who will be our future in carving .. You are a great help to us all ..

Gene

[Lightningbolt]

Great tips for sure, especially when learning! I also teach carving to kids in a little older age bracket but the same applies. Over the years it amazes me how many kid's AND adults who want me to sharpen their knives... like I have some supernatural powers to sharpen, because I'm the teacher I suppose.

In recent years I have gotten completely away from this because it's most definitely a sign of laziness on the learner's part but I will always take the time to teach them. In all the beginning carving classes I've taught I spend at least the first half of the class teaching how to sharpen knives. It is an essential skill to master if you're serious about learning to carve.

I like the tip about feeling the carving with your eyes closed to learn more about what you need to do. I'd bet that Helen Keller would strongly agree about how you can learn to "see" with all your senses.

Thank's for the tips!

[Linda]

I spend the first class or two strictly on how to use the tools and sharpen them. One of the things that is of great value is how to hold the tools, especially the knives and getting both hands involved in the process of carving. Also repetition. I was in advertising and we always knew that you had to repeat something at least six times before the customer really got the seller's message. Same goes with carving. When you repeat, repeat orally, viaually and by going around to each student as they try out using the tools. Use positive comments like " That is great, but it will be even better if you do it this way." They soak up the praise and the days of education on each tool, how to hold it, sharpen it, and what it does is well worth the time. Don't take it for granted that they will know how to hold every thing. Your time teaching a kid is the most valuable carving lesson they will ever receive. You can make or break their passion to carve in the future.
Linda