The Art of Carpentry

First grade boys are asked to build a sculpture out of wood.  The only guidelines are that they must cut at least eight pieces of wood.  They may cut more pieces if they like, but all of the cut pieces must be used in their final sculpture.  Mr. Falcone uses this assignment to introduce boys to tools, measuring, learning the value of accurate cutting, and fitting pieces together.  He finds that this visual, experiential way of learning is most effective in carpentry.  Boys quickly see how different the edges they cut are from the pre-cut pieces of wood.  Boys also learn how brace wood can be used to reinforce connections to make their sculptures strong. First graders use coping saws, c-clamps, rulers, hammers and nails, and two types of drills when constructing their sculptures.  They are also taught how to match 3/16” and 1/4” dowels with the appropriate drill bits.

In second grade boys continue to build upon the skills they have learned and are given a project at the beginning of the semester.  The second-grade carpentry projects change each year but have included some of the following: lamps, bird houses, football fields, and containers the boys could sit on.  This year second graders were tasked with building boxes with hinged lids.  The boys had to take the thickness of the wood into account when measuring and cutting the pieces for their boxes.  They figured out the most efficient way to cut pieces from one piece of wood that was 13” long by 7 1/4” wide.  To encourage creativity, Mr. Falcone asked the boys to transform their boxes (that were all the same size) into animal boxes.  The shelves in the shop were soon filled with a cheetah, turtles, a tiger, and even a bird.  The boys particularly enjoyed sharpening dowels into perfectly-placed teeth.

St. B’s third graders build fully-functional clocks.  After several years of experience with the tools, the boys apply their skills to create wonderfully diverse clocks.  The spectrum of shapes, sizes, colors, and scales can all be seen on the shelves throughout the year.  Mr. Falcone believes projects should always be stored on open shelves, encouraging boys to keep looking at their projects and at each other’s projects.  As Mr. Falcone explains, art is always on display, whether in a studio, gallery, or a carpentry shop.

Mr. Falcone was originally trained as a fine-art painter, earning an MFA after completing a BA in arts education.  Over the years of teaching carpentry, he has found it beneficial to trust his students and allow them to make mistakes and learn through trial and error.  As a teacher, he tries to break down a task so that it is possible for boys to succeed.  For Mr. Falcone, it is important to help the boys stand on their own.  He has seen how extending this trust builds upon itself, and each year he is delighted by the completely original pieces his students create.