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Classroom moves to the house
Published Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Things couldn’t get more hands-on for Underwood students enrolled in the carpentry career and technology education course.
While most students may stress about the occasional term paper, these students have a task on their hands that surpasses most: They’re building a home.
The full-year elective course is open to all students in grades 11 and 12, regardless of plans for the future. And students who enroll learn quickly that it takes more than just a whack of a hammer to make it happen.
“Some will find out they like it, and some will find out they don’t,” said Chad Gronner, who has taught the course for the past three years.
Students start off the course in the fall with two weeks of in-class preparation, learning important safety tips, along with lessons on how to read floor plans and blue prints and are trained to perfect their measuring skills.
After that, they’re put to work. Every day the students make their way out onto the grounds of the school, roll up their sleeves and set in to work together for a common goal.
“We really learn how to work with each other,” said Tara Hunter, a senior at Underwood. “You learn more like this...it’s very hands-on.”
Gronner says the students work with certain goals in mind and follow the time line created at the beginning of the school year, allowing students to also grasp the importance of time management.
The plan is to have students wrap-up with the walls and roof in time for the winter season. At that point, they’ll heat the building and work on the interior components of the project.
Inside, students will work to install cabinets, kitchen tops, counters, showers and a bath.
“I can’t wait to see how it comes out,” said Jake Meder, a junior who enrolled in the class for the new experience. “I have a lot more respect for people who do this for a living.”
The goal is to put the home on the market and use the proceeds to upgrade the program. But more important than that, Gronner said, is the ability to provide the unique opportunity to students.
Comments
The Daily Journal is happy to host community conversations about news and life in Fergus Falls and the surrounding area. As hosts, we expect guests will show respect for each other. That means we don't threaten or defame each other, and we keep conversations free of personal attacks. Witty is great. Abusive is not. If you think a post violates these standards, don't escalate the situation. Instead, flag the comment to alert us. We'll take action if necessary. It's not hard. This should be a place where people want to read and contribute -- a place for spirited exchanges of opinion. So those who persist with racist, defamatory or abusive postings risk losing the privilege to post at all.Posted by MustBeNice (anonymous) on October 15, 2008 at 3:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Glad to see a vocational course like this offered at a local high school, vocational programs like these are important!
BUT WHERE IS THE P.P.E. (Personal Protective Equipment - i.e. Safety Glasses!!) FOR THE STUDENTS????
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