Tumwater students describe hands-on Construction Trades class focused on carpentry and tool safety

Students in the Tumwater School District described a Construction Trades class that emphasizes carpentry, tool safety and hands-on projects that students can use at home.

Student 1, a student in the class, said, "It's construction trades, but we mostly focus on carpentry. You know, we talk a lot about safety and how to handle tools and how to work the tools properly. So we build projects, we start out simple and go, you know, more complex and I kinda learned the trade. We get to use our hands and build and we're out of the classroom a lot." That student listed birdhouses, storage bins, planter boxes and chicken coops as typical projects.

The students said the course teaches practical skills and classroom-ready math. Student 2, a student in the class, said, "We learn about lots of different tools. I think it's gonna be really important for us as we get older, whether that's the job you do or just like home remedies and stuff like that, like what you need to do around your house. I think it'll be really helpful." Student 4 added, "It's taught me a lot of things, especially like framing for houses and all that. Like, if you carry it on, like, then it'll, like, matter what you do in this class."

Students also emphasized communication and safety. Student 3, a student in the class, said, "Communication is a big thing because a lot of this is, it's about safety. If you can't communicate with others, then you're not gonna be able to be a good partner in the workspace." Student 1 described skill development over the course: "Kids come in, and they they don't know how to work a drill. By the end of the the course, they're using a drill, and they don't even realize that they're, you know, perfect at it, and they're doing everything they need to do, and just becoming second nature." Student 2 noted the hands-on projects help students apply skills outside school: "The most rewarding part is when they get to use this stuff outside of class. When a kid comes back in the class and talks about how he got to use it."

Students said the class is an elective many enjoy: "There's a lot of kids in here who really enjoy this class, so it's, you know, kind of nice that they can be in an elective that they actually enjoy, kind of brighten their day up a little bit," Student 3 said. Student 1 summarized the feeling: "It's rewarding. So especially when you've never done anything and you get to build something and see it come together. So, yeah. Super fun."