BTW Geoff, I'd like to thank you for going the extra distance for your students. I had some absolutely amazing shop teachers as a kid and they really made an impact on me. It's great to see that there are more out there
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| Author: | hoosierukes [ Thu Sep 01, 2005 2:36 pm ] |
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I joined this forum earlier this week and have had a ball reading posts and the archives. As nickname implies I'm building ukuleles in Indiana. When I'm not building ukes, I teach 4th and 5th grade at an Indianapolis public school, the Key Learning Community [link]http://www.keylearningcommunity.org[/link] . In addition to my classroom work I direct the Key Strummers, a ukulele jazz band and the MidWest UkeFest [link]http://www.keystrummers.org[/link] Today I began an elective class that meets almost evry day to build stringed instruments. We're going to begin with strumsticks and dulcimers with an eye to learning to build ukes and guitars. I've got eight very eager 10-12 yr. old boys and girls that are eager to get going. I've been collecting wood, tuners, tools and orphan instruments for a year or two with this in mind. Tools at school are limited, so I will be doing much of the milling in my shop. I want to really focus on building good building technique with an eye for quality. What I ask of you is to be our audience and advocates. I'd like to post photos and information about our progress. Let us know your thoughts. We'll appreciate your experience. This is going to be a very good time! Geoff . |
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| Author: | Jason [ Thu Sep 01, 2005 2:44 pm ] |
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I'd love to see that. Keep us all posted ;) It's just as well you do most of the milling at home, I can't imagine the kind of liability you'd be looking at with that age group and a lot of powertools. If you come up short on any supplies I'd be willing to donate whatever I can/have and I'm sure others would too. I have tons of small cutoffs that aren't much use to me and my markets but would be great for ukes. If you cover the shipping I'll getcha whatever you need if it's made out of maple/spruce/cedar/birch |
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| Author: | Jason [ Thu Sep 01, 2005 2:47 pm ] |
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BTW Geoff, I'd like to thank you for going the extra distance for your students. I had some absolutely amazing shop teachers as a kid and they really made an impact on me. It's great to see that there are more out there
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| Author: | RussellR [ Thu Sep 01, 2005 7:27 pm ] |
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It would be a pleasure Geoff, I echo what Jason Said. I too had a great Woodwork teacher at school, and if it wasn't for him I don't think I would be making guitars today. 
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| Author: | Don Williams [ Thu Sep 01, 2005 10:18 pm ] |
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Awesome. Geoff, that's just awesome. Nice to see teachers doing cool stuff with their students, and obviously you're one of the good ones out there. Teachers are an under-appreciated commodity in this country where we value entertainment more than education. |
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| Author: | JJ Donohue [ Thu Sep 01, 2005 10:43 pm ] |
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Geoff...Nice! I'm sure the kids will love the project. BTW, as a fellow Hoosier (Warsaw) we should meet one of these days! I've been the lone Indiana representative for too long. Welcome aboard! |
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| Author: | Michael Dale Payne [ Fri Sep 02, 2005 12:36 am ] |
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It will be a pleasure......Thiss is very Coooooool Geoff
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| Author: | Dale M [ Fri Sep 02, 2005 2:21 am ] |
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A great big attaboy from an ol` shop teacher in Texas! I had several students build solid bodies while teaching but never a "real" guitar. (One banjo along the way)I probably averaged about one a year for the 20 years I taught. Sounds like you`ve got your head right. Keep up the good work! I`ll watch for your post. |
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| Author: | tippie53 [ Fri Sep 02, 2005 2:33 am ] |
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I would be very interested in this project. You are teaching kids a valuable lesson here. Those that can learn to work with thier hands have a edge . john hall Blues Creek Guitars |
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| Author: | Robbie O'Brien [ Fri Sep 02, 2005 4:03 am ] |
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[QUOTE=Jason] I'd love to see that. Keep us all posted ;) It's just as well you do most of the milling at home, I can't imagine the kind of liability you'd be looking at with that age group and a lot of powertools. If you come up short on any supplies I'd be willing to donate whatever I can/have and I'm sure others would too. I have tons of small cutoffs that aren't much use to me and my markets but would be great for ukes. If you cover the shipping I'll getcha whatever you need if it's made out of maple/spruce/cedar/birch[/QUOTE] VERY COOL GESTURE JASON!!! 
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| Author: | BruceH [ Fri Sep 02, 2005 4:17 am ] |
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Hi Geoff, Welcome to the OLF. You'll find that this is a great and helpful bunch. We'll enjoy following your progress, so please keep us informed. I'm also a teacher. I teach sixth-grade in southern Ohio - about a three-hour drive ($125 worth of gas) away from Indy. I don't know your background with extensive projects in an elementary classroom, but I've found them to be great motivators and great learning experiences for both students and parents. Most of my projects have centered around aerospace science, but I would also like to incorporate guitar building in my classroom someday. A few things I've learned about woodworking in the elementary classroom: Always have students wear dust masks and safety glasses, even when you know that making a few shavings won't hurt anyone. Be prepared to defend your project. It's kind of funny how blowing out a knee or breaking a leg at ball practice is considered normal, but when you have a kid with an 1/8” splinter, some wonder if you are doing something dangerous in the classroom. Get a few reliable parents involved. Not only will they help get things done, but they'll be great ambassadors for your project. Hopefully I didn't insult your intelligence with my advice
Good luck! |
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| Author: | hoosierukes [ Fri Sep 02, 2005 4:58 am ] |
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Wow! Thanks for the kind words. Jason...I'll keep your kind offer in mind. I'm sure that we will be in need of some materials. I'm going shopping this weekend for clamps, glue, a block plane, etc. There is no school money for this project, but we'll pull it together. I began the Key Strummers, my uke jazz band, this way and now we travel on the money we earn.. This venture will, eventually, follow a similar path (I hope). Bruce- You didn't insult my intellegence. You reminded me of the things I need to keep in mind. I've integrated bookbinding, airplane modeling, boatbuilding (a 16' canoe last year) into 21+ years of teaching. Learning must occur in an authentic context. That's one reason I've included this forum. If the kids know that there is a group of pros and serious builders watching, they will take this more seriously. We spent our first session talking about vocabulary and science. We just spent our second designing a strumstick...3 strings and a 27" scale. Next week will be shop set-up. I'lll send photos as things progress. Thanks Geoff |
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| Author: | hoosierukes [ Fri Sep 02, 2005 5:13 am ] |
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JJ- I'd love to get together. Have they put a luthier or vintage guitar shop out at Winona Lake, yet? It seems the perfect place for one and I hear that they treat craftsfolk very well. Look like a neat place. |
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