Woodshop for Kids by Jack McKee Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Woodshop for Kids
Book Review: This is a book to help kids through kinesthetic learning.
Summary: 5 Stars
There are three major learning modalities or styles: visual (through seeing), auditory (through hearing), and kinesthetic (through doing with the hands and body). There was a time that children got to experience all three (and, for sure, there are others but these are the major ones) in school. Unfortunately, the kinesthetic, unless it concerns sports or running around, is being short-changed especially now that schools have dropped off any subjects like the old junior high woodshop and home ec classes. Today it's pretty much visual and auditory--paper work and videos--from preschool through college.
This is why I'm particularly happy to see a book like this one. Maybe if we had more opportunities for kids to be active and creative, then we wouldn't have as much trouble "keeping kids in seats."
Woodshop for Kids: 52 Woodworking Projects Kids Can Build by Jack McKee with illustrations by Rusty Keeler (Copyright:2005) is a large, non-fiction paperback book aimed at children preschool through elementary school. Or I should say, it's aimed at adults who are working with children to teach them about woodworking, but older children can read the book on their own and follow the instructions.
The ultimate production of this book began by Mr. McKee's working on his own home while a stay-at-home-dad to his sons. The boys so enjoyed what he was doing that he enlisted them in some of the projects and taught them about tools. Later, he volunteered to teach children woodworking at his sons' school and was asked to teach some of the teachers how to teach woodworking to the children as young as preschool. His stated purpose in writing this book is to answer the numerous questions that he did not have the time to answer when they were asked by his woodshop participants (parents and teachers).
Mr. McKee's writing style is informal but fully developed. He understands and acknowledges that many adults do not have these skills, and he educates them along with the children. However, he does not talk down to either adult or child, and girls are given equal treatment with the boys.
Line drawings are useful in explaining points, and numerous black and white photos show finished projects. (If I have one criticism of the book, it would be that there are no color photos except on the front and back covers. I think it would add a lot if color photos inside showed what was accomplished.)
He leads one through the safety concerns first, and then goes on to tools. There are cautions on using tools, types of wood to use and avoid (no participle board because of glue and toxins, etc.), changing blades and drill bits, even making some of the tools like a vice and workbench, as well as where to get materials.
One part of the book I particularly enjoyed was the Appendix where he teaches how to do "Take-Apart." Kids love to dismantle things--which you probably already know!--so here's their chance to methodically and safely take apart old tape decks, radios, VCRs, or record players (no TVs because of the danger). It's a chance to use tools and satisfy curiosity as to "what's it made of?".
Likewise, another great part of the Appendix concerns "Mechanical Puzzles." Here kids learn not only to take apart but also to put back together faucets, door knobs, telephones, and other objects with mechanical parts. Tools, logic, sequence and other good things are all involved here.
The Table of Contents is very well laid out, projects and subjects are easy to find, and the Index is inclusive. The book contains a helpful Bibliography and 52 projects that range from the simple pencil holder to doll furniture, through wheeled vehicles, to a glockenspiel, a musical instrument similar to a xylophone. All projects contain lists of needed materials as well as step by step instructions.
I highly recommend this book; so much so that I decided to get a copy myself just to keep in a library I'm compiling for my future grandchildren. It's renewed my faith that there is hope for teaching our children self-sufficiency through kinesthetic modalities.
www.ToTeachATeacher.com
Book Review: Woodshop for Kids an excellent choice
Summary: 5 Stars
I would highly recommend Woodshop for Kids. It not only gives projects that children can do, some with the help of an adult, but it covers what the tools are, what they do and how to care for them. Important information for all budding woodworkers to know.Book Review: woodworking for kids
Summary: 4 Stars
This book has laid out a plan of activities to make it fun to work/play with your kids in the workshop. Great book. My 8 and 9 year olds really liked it.
More Woodshop for Kids reviews:
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