Crafting with Kids

Free woodworking plans are a great resource for students and shop teachers. Having a choice of ready made plans available gives students a selection of items to build in the wood shop. This is more convenient for them than trying to design something themselves or having to come up with their own idea for a wood project. Having free shop plans available for their students also benefits shop teachers. Not only do they eliminate the time needed to prepare lessons, but since they are free they also save money. When teachers have a choice of plans to utilize, they can offer each student projects which are tailored to the student’s specific ability and skills.

There are free woodworking plans for entry level level students, such as the etched glass wall mirror. This project involves putting together a frame for a pre-made glass panel. This project uses only miter cuts and rabbet to buildl the frame. The only other processes needed are assembling, sanding and finishing. This project needs a minimal work time and materials to complete.

A more challenging woodworking project would be to make an end or coffee table. The tables will use a frame built, including legs, cross members and a lower shelf. These plans will require using larger tools. The student will also have to know how to use adhesives on the material for the table top and shelf from smaller boards. There are free woodworking plans you can get for both which can be made using etched glass panels just as the wall mirror has. This design consistency is key since it provides for projects of several skill levels and complexity using the same type of glass panels with etched layouts. Following this common theme makes for a unified lesson plan where all the projects have a unified, consistent element while still allowing for variations in students abilities and time commitments.

All of the students can be offered the same decorative glass panel and then have the option of building a project with it that they prefer. Advanced students can also use the glass etching panel to build complex projects, such as a cabinet with glass doors or a glass fronted grandfather clock. These projects will involve making complex doors as well as the frame. The frame will need more advanced mortise-and-tenon joints as well as dados. The top, side and back panels will require gluing up additionaly parts. The students will employ the router table and planer for this project as well as the table saw and jointer.

By using free woodworking plans, shop heads can provide their students with challenges which will match their skills while still having a mutual component. By using a selection of pre-made plans, teachers have standard criteria for marking and can dedicate more of their time to teaching the students.

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