Woodworking program for troubled youths

[Eric]

Hi Rob

I'm in the process of getting the paper work done for starting up a wood working program for trouble youths I work with in Montreal Canada as a way to increase their self esteem. I'm going to focus my program around scroll sawing. Do you have any suggestions on what begginer projects to start with, or what I should focus on when introducing them the art of using a scroll saw, any resources I should use etc..? I was thinking of starting with getting them to cut out simple shapes and taking it from their depending on their ability to using a scroll saw.

Eric

[Rob Letvinchuck]

Hi Eric.
First of all I commend you for your undertaking. Not everybody has the patience and tolerance in dealing with today's troubled youth. I wish there were programs available when I was a youngster. It would have saved me a lot of problems.
Because of the cuts in alot of school programs these days, there are many schools that don't even have woodshop anymore, let alone scroll saws in the shop. That said, you will be working with novices.
When I teach my beginning Intarsia class, almost none of my students have any scroll saw experience. The first part of the day is spent showing the basic operations of the saw. I will start them out with cheap plywood and basic shapes just to get them used to trying to stay on the line. Most students are pretty nervous because they are being watched in the beginning. After a few basic shapes are cut, I will then have them do a couple not so simple shapes, then move on to cutting some real wood. Once they start cutting a complex shape, I like to just back off and let them feel like they are on their own for a short while. I think it takes the pressure off and they relax a little more. I tell my students they should practice doing fret work for a while before jumping into Intarsia. I cut for almost a year before doing Intarsia on a regular basis. There are so many techniques to learn and practice. Your situation will be different however because you don't want to loose their interest by staying with basic boring stuff, and it doesn't take long to get youth bored these days.
You may have to tailor your teachings around each individual and get them doing things (they) are interested in. As far as resources go, I think you're in the right place with this magazine. There are many patterns you can use. Some are more complex than others but there is always something to catch someone's interest. Also check out some of the many books on scrollsawing by the late Patrick Spielman. Dirk Boelman of the Art Factory is one of the leading scrollsawers around and might be able to give you more advice on getting started as well.
As far as Intarsia, you don't want to start out with something to complex in fear that it will just discourage your students. Have them start with something simple just to get the hang of it, then look out. Intarsia has brought the artist out of me that I never even knew existed. I hope I helped. If you have any more in depth questions, feel free to E-mail me at Rob@againstthegrainwoodart.com
Good luck and as always,
Happy Cutting!
Rob

[Eric]

Hi Rob

Thanks for your reply. I see I'm on the right track because my first 6 projects I plan to do with the kids are simple cut outs and in terms of reading material I'm also using books from Patrick S. I will e-mail you when I get it started with any questions that may come up.

Eric

[Rob Letvinchuck]

No problem Eric, I am always more than happy to help. Good luck, and let me know how everything goes when you start.
Rob

[GrandpaDew]

Rob/Eric

Rob have you heard any news from Eric on how his class is progressing?

Dave

[Rob Letvinchuck]

Hi Dave,
No I haven't heard back from his last post. It would be interesting though to find out how it is going so far. I will be teaching my next class on October 22nd.

Eric,
Let us know how things are coming along.
Happy cutting!
Rob

[Eric]

Hi Rob and Dave

My Progress Report

I can't wait to start scrolling with the kids. I'm hoping to start that this week. It's been lots of work to set up. I've had some very handy support from my co workers on how to cover my butt for any liability with the kids. I have all my safety rules, scroll saw check list, and a woodworking contract set up. I've managed to get about $ 400 canadain in wood free. Who knew car dealership threw away so much wood in the garbage, and there's lots more where that came from. Mostly pine but some oak and maple, so I've spent many hours taking nails out of skids to get that free wood that I will pass threw the planner for the projects. I've planned out my projects to make with the kids ,very simple ones that should take about a total of 2 hours to make. My last step before starting to cut with the kids is to explain to them how the scroll saw works, make sure they know the safety rules and past my practical test that demonsrtates to me that they can use a scroll saw properly.

That's it for now, and Thanks for your interest.

Eric

[GrandpaDew]

Eric just wanted to commend you on your accomplishmens! It is wonderful to see what started out as an idea getting ready to become a reality.

Keep us updated and by all means you will have to post some photos of their projects, Looking forward to seeing some work by the next generation of cutters.

Dave

[Rob Letvinchuck]

Well Eric,
It sounds like you crossed your T's and dotted your I's. You should be off to good start. Keep us posted on your progress.
Thanks for keeping us up to date.
Rob

[Eric]

Hi Rob

I just wanted to inform you of my progress. The first thing I learned is that it is much harder than it looks to teach someone how to cut on the line with a scroll saw. I just do it ,so teaching someone to do it has been interesting. after many times teaching to cut on a line and to cut curves and only outside cuts the student is in the process of putting the finishing touch on his first project of a key chain holder. It has taken longer than I expected but its not about the time it takes to do something but rather the end result as well as the content of our discussion. Lastly I'm having fun doing what I am doing and getting lots of free wood from a car dealership from their pallettes.

Eric

[Rob Letvinchuck]

Eric,
I am most proud of you.! I know first hand what it takes to be a patient teacher, and god knows how much I appreciate my patient teachers. It would appear that you have gained that knowledge and are indeed passing it on.
Please post pictures of your students works of art for all of us to admire, and let them know, there works of (ART) are appreciated.


Happy cutting!
Rob!

[Heiko Rettberg]

Hello Eric, a very being tight reporting. I wished that such projects on occasion would give. I join Rob, show please us some projects of your class.
I hope you can understand me ( it is translate with an online translator)

I wish you all the best

Heiko

[Eric]

Hi Rob.

I hope your enjoying this Holiday season and I wish you the very best for the new year. I wanted to let you know that the scroll sawing at work with the teens is going great. I'm getting some great result in terms of the work they are doing and being able to do their indivdual counseling session. Those who were the most resistance at first to meet now can't get enough and keep asking for more. We made gift for their parents and those who have supported us with the wood working and they are getting lots of positive feed back. We made candle holders featured in one of the fall issue and sold them in a fund raissing activity and sold all of them at $5.00 cnd each. So far we also made key chain holder and started to make a coat rack. Many more projects to come including personal plaques and trophies. I wish I could post pictures of them with their work but I can't due to the rules of confidentialities. I'll keep you posted in new year on their progress.

Eric

[Rob Letvinchuck]

Great Job Eric.
I am so happy to hear things are going great for the program.
I had a very nice Christmas and am looking forward to seeing what the new year will bring.
As long as you don't use names or photos of the students, I don't see why you wouldn't be able to post a few pics. Just state they are from your students.
Thanks for keeping me posted on your progress.
This wood addiction is a positive thing and something they will carry with them the rest of their lives.
Happy Cutting!
Rob