Mr. Martin's blog – He who works with his hands is a labourer. He who works with his hands and his head is craftsman. He who works with his hands , his head and his heart is and artist!

“you can’t hammer a nail over the Internet.”
― Matthew B. Crawford, Shop Class as Soulcraft: An Inquiry Into the Value of Work

The importance of knowing how as opposed to knowing what is one that is growing ever more important. Woodworking teaches Design, Process, Attention to Detail, Pride in Ones Work, Patience and Problem Solving! As we become ever more detached from the real world and buried into screens, vr, online gaming, and all the other conveniences afforded by carrying around the bulk of popular knowledge in our pockets, accessible with the touch of a screen.

The importance of doing and making are becoming more and more important. which is why I think shop classes are so important! A quality woodworking program provides experiences far more important than those typically associated with woodshop. Courses, like woodworking, where students use their hands build confidence, strength of character, and problem solving capabilities useful in all careers and in every educational experience.

Below is a list I found that really addresses the benefits that can be found in shop classes! None more important than the first one, and the last one!

21 reasons to take Woodshop

It is a class that students ENJOY!
Assists students in communicating and understanding ideas non-verbally, through sketches and technical drawings.
Enhances the skills of spatial visualization required for geometry, trigonometry and algebra, thereby helping students to prepare for careers in engineering, architecture and science. Provides students with take-home, physical evidence of their mastery of skills.
Instills pride of accomplishment and self-esteem.
Gives the student the opportunity to execute precise work and to produce useful products, and become “self-assessors” using measuring tools, squares, etc. and then the fit of things to self-assess the quality of their work.
Trains the eye and hand to see accurately and to feel the sense of beauty in form.
Inculcates the habits of attention, perseverance and patience.
Offers opportunities for students to go where their hearts demand by selecting designs and projects that motivate them not only as a woodworker but also as a student.
Provides opportunities for students to overcome setbacks that occur when working on real objects.
Provides relevancy of other subject matter to their lives, thereby preparing them for a lifetime of learning.
Provides non-academic areas for demonstration of skills and pursuit of excellence.
Provides a non-contrived opportunity for engagement of multiple intelligences.
Provides an opportunity to engage physically and actively in learning exercises.
Provides an opportunity for engagement and success even for those disinclined for academic involvement.
Helps students gain confidence as real world problem solvers.
Helps students gain confidence in tools use and learn safety considerations required for a career, lifetime of general home maintenance or a life-long hobby.
Offers an appreciation for the values inherent in physical labor and the work contributions of others.
Connects students to thousands of years of human creative endeavor.
Provides a much-needed break from sit-down classroom routine.
Helps students to better understand the sources and process of technological change, placing human development in historical context.
It is a class that students ENJOY!