Oh, yes, it was SO good in 2010, you know I just had to come back for more! I just can’t get enough of the Great American Teach In… even though some of the questions were a little more pointed… 🙂
My day began last Thursday by driving my youngest son in to his school, where they had some great coffee. Jet fuel for the soul. There, I delivered three talks to two fifth grade and one fourth grade classes. Unlike last year, where I just spoke about tools, this year I cut several samples of joints, showed how they worked together and even showed off my blog.
After the third session at my youngest son’s school, I packed up my materials and headed down the road a ways to my oldest son’s middle school. I was surprised when I got there that I had a lot of time available before my first class… and I was going to be fed lunch. The food was delicious, but it was a little intimidating being in a room with about a dozen SWAT officers from the Pinellas Park Police Department.
After I ate, a student helped guide me down the hallway to where I set up for my next classes – the science lab. It was a great room with plenty of space for me to spread my stuff out and really get into things. I also set up my little video camera and had my son Dominic operate it. Yes, you can hear him piping up from time to time during the talk.
After a full day of seven classes, working with more than 300 kids, I was totally whipped. Next year, I need to wear my athletic shoes and bring some Advil.
Now, after talking about tools and joinery, I’m going to have to find another topic to talk about next year…. But, at least I have a full year to think about it.
Tom,
I enjoy talking about the history of the world and how nearly everything has been made of wood first or needed wood to make it. I start out in the “stone age” which was really the first wood age as people carried the first tool, not a rock but a wooden club, and learned to use and control fire, made with wood. Copper and bronze were made using wood smelters and charcoal and the primary use of these metals was warfare and to cut wood as well as decoration. You get the idea, ask them where they would be without wood.
Mke
Dang, Mike… I could have used your help! 🙂
All kidding aside, I do like your approach to address just how important wood has been through the millenia… Oh, and thanks for inspiring me to get out there and teach.