Now that the “model” of the crib is finished and final decisions about size have been made by the children, the group was ready for the next step in the process: building the crib. However, we needed wood for this step, and we thought it would be a great experience for the children to be involved in this step. So I connected with Keith (Austin’s Dad EW) who had volunteered to donate the wood needed and to lend us his expertise in tools and help us build the crib. We asked him to join us on a trip to the Stock Building Supply in our neighborhood. Before we got on our way, the group shared their model and plans with Keith so he could get an idea about the amount of wood and shapes we would be looking for at Stock Building Supply.
Keith: So, tell me about your model.
Owen: Well, it has all these railings all around and on top.
Keith: Are you wanting those to be round or straight?
Group: Straight!
Keith: And what about the legs? Did you want them round or straight?
Group: Round.
Keith: And what about the bed of the crib?
Dex: It needs to be soft.
Cindy: Do you mean smooth wood or soft wood?
Dex: Smooth.
After the group shared their plans with Keith, we were ready to start our walk to Stock Building Supply. When we arrived, we all gathered for a discussion on guidelines for the store.
We walked through the store and waited in the back for an employee to help us. As we were waiting, we looked at all the exciting things around us. Austin pointed in the direction of the wood and shared what he knew about lumber with the whole group.
Austin: You know, all that wood came from trees.
Owen: Yea, ’cause inside of trees is soft wood. Well, trees are wood.
Jackson: Wow! That’s a big piece of wood!
Austin: They shave the skin off of the tree and then shape it into rectangles.
Cindy: How do you suppose they shape it into rectangles?
Austin: I think they use like some sort of drill.
An employee named Chris approached us and asked what we were looking for. Keith informed him of our plan. Chris walked all of us to the wood area and showed us some pieces that might work for the railings. The group decided that they were happy with his suggestions for all parts of the crib. Keith and the children worked together to carry the wood back to the register.
Sam: How much do you think all the wood will cost?
Owen: $40.50
Lucy: $89
Jackson: $60
Georgia I.: $ 67
Bryan (the store manager): Your total is 32 dollars, but that’s after a great deal.
Group: Thank you, Bryan!
I thought it was great for the children to see where the wood they are going to build with came from. And from Austin’s knowledge of wood and the group attentively receiving the information, I now wonder if investigating wood’s properties, from where the wood we build with derives, and the process it goes through before getting to the lumber yard for sale would be a good next step. This walk is the result of our Whole School Intention to make connections to community members and we intend to write a thank you letter when we return after the winter break.
1 comment for “The Crib Group Buys Wood.”