Woodworking
Woodworking at Lamplighter reflects the School’s mission to foster natural curiosity through hands-on, collaborative experiences that extend beyond the standard Early Childhood and Lower School curriculum.
Students work with a wide range of tools, from hand saws and a kid-safe chomp saw to a laser cutter and 3D-printed components, while exploring a variety of woods, finishes, and crafting materials. The program grows intentionally at each grade level, offering projects that build skills and confidence as students progress from Pre-K through fourth grade.
Woodworking Studio
Woodworking classes take place in Lamplighter's state-of-the-art studio, located in the Eastin Family Innovation Lab. Floor-to-ceiling glass doors and windows offer views of the prairie grasses and flowers, creating a calming environment for students and faculty. An air filtration system and acoustic panels above the work tables help maintain a safe and quiet space, while cushioned mats on the concrete floor absorb sound and provide a comfortable area for hands-on work.
Projects by Grade Level
Students across all grade levels participate in Woodworking classes, with projects that grow in complexity as skills develop. Below is a sample of lessons and projects by grade level:
Pre-K: Students are introduced to basic safety skills, such as wearing goggles, and learn how to hold and use a hammer and screwdriver. They identify nuts and bolts, sand wood, and apply glue, paint, and stain. Pre-K students also complete simple holiday gift projects, like wooden snowmen or penguins, learning to assemble and finish their creations.
Kindergarten: Woodworking integrates with science and math, reinforcing concepts such as geometry and shapes. Students continue practicing safety skills and using basic hand tools, including hammers and screwdrivers.
Lower School: Projects become more complex and tool-focused:
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First grade: Students practice precise measuring to construct a 12-inch wooden ruler and build a wooden catapult using rods.
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Second grade: Students construct a wooden box to hold leveled reading books and create a covered wagon as part of math and social studies integration.
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Third grade: Students design and build a marble maze, using handmade blueprints, measuring, adhesive, and hand saws. They also learn to design wooden game pieces using a CAD program, scaling shapes proportionally.
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Fourth grade: Students tackle one of the program’s most anticipated projects: designing, carving, filing, and finishing their own pinewood derby cars.
Woodworking Projects
Learn more about woodworking skills and projects by grade level from Woodworking Teacher Annie Corley.
Early Childhood Lessons
Transitional First Grade (T1) students learn to use the chomp saw, a kid-safe, power-assisted tool designed for cutting cardboard.
