Sawdust News January 2022
The Healing Power of Working Together
“Sound of Silver talk to me
Makes you want to feel like a teenager
Until you remember the feelings of
A real live emotional teenager
Then you think again”
As these lyrics from this great song show, it’s hard to be a teenager. Middle school was always hard, learning to navigate new social constructs while coming of age oneself, awkward and unsure. Mental health issues start to emerge as a result. Physical health suffers as well.
Then, layer on the corrosive effects of social media and the social isolation that COVID has brought. It is no wonder that in December of 2021, the U.S. Surgeon General issued an advisory on the youth mental health crisis further exposed by the pandemic.
As humans, we have a deep-seated, atavistic need to work together. Humans are social creatures and have had this need for social personal experiences since prehistoric times. Whether as hunters, or gatherers, we have labored together. NYU Professor, Scott Galloway, noted this dynamic when talking about the success of Peloton, the at-home fitness company. People want to work together.
So, what can we do to bring true collaboration, screen-free, hands-on learning- minds on learning into middle schools?
We propose building real things with real tools to foster learning in a low stakes environment
We propose creating lasting relationships and reminders of our success through the results of what we built together. The power of human connection combined
We propose woodworking in all middle schools.
Hand tool woodworking offers the smell of fresh pine, the ability to control one's environment by transforming planks into projects, and the ability to work alongside others and create meaningful connections through peer mentoring. Students can discover the intelligence in their hands and be exposed to many possible careers including high-paying jobs in the trades. Now, more than ever, this is essential.
We exist to help you bring back woodworking in a safe, portable, and easy to implement way using your existing teachers, rooms, and even tables.
Let us know how we can help heal your students