--- title: How Shaping Wood Can Shape a Child’s Success description: How Shaping Wood Can Shape a Child’s Success image: https://blog.peckschool.org/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/woodworking.jpg --- - [Default HubSpot Blog](https://blog.peckschool.org/blog) [![Peckschool](https://blog.peckschool.org/hs-fs/hubfs/master-logo-2017-3.png?width=360&height=211&name=master-logo-2017-3.png "Peckschool")](https://www.peckschool.org/) - [![Parents](https://blog.peckschool.org/hubfs/PeckSchool_July2018/Images/large_link870509_61290.png)](https://peckschool.myschoolapp.com/app#login) - [![News](https://blog.peckschool.org/hubfs/PeckSchool_July2018/Images/large_link870508_61289.png)](https://www.peckschool.org/page/news-and-photos) - [![Social](https://blog.peckschool.org/hubfs/PeckSchool_July2018/Images/large_link870505_61287.png)](https://www.peckschool.org/page/community/news--social-media-mashup) - [![PowerSchool](https://blog.peckschool.org/hubfs/PeckSchool_July2018/Images/large_link1155174_74520.png)](https://peckschool.learning.powerschool.com/do/account/login) Search - 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[Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) **MARK MORTENSEN, ARTS DEPARTMENT CHAIR**: A tour of Peck’s campus for prospective parents includes a visit to the woodshop. Nearly all guests express pleasure in seeing that an independent, elementary school offers woodworking classes. Many reminisce of their own experiences in grade-school woodshops. > Nearly all guests express pleasure in seeing that an independent, elementary school offers woodworking classes. I enjoy sharing with visitors some highlights of Peck’s program. Simple tools and simple projects are introduced in 3rd grade, a Peck student’s first formal exposure to woodworking. In fourth grade, students craft a folk toy at the same time they are learning about folk songs in the music studio and folk art in the art studio. Fifth graders create a game board -perhaps Senet, Calculi, or Nine Men’s Morris - tied to their history studies. Sixth graders learn how to use power tools to craft a project, seventh graders learn to carve and shape wood, and eighth graders choose two semesters of arts electives from a menu including drama, 2D and 3D studio art, music composition, and woodworking. I also speak to guests about the benefits of woodworking. Studies have shown that children who experience the cognitive challenges present in a woodshop---where they are developing critical thinking skills, growing measurement skills, building engineering skills, and enhancing spatial visualization skills---tend to do better in math and science classes. This is especially true for girls. Not to be undervalued, I add, is the self-esteem and satisfaction derived from having created something with ones own hands. Two years ago, woodworker and teacher Doug Stowe shared on his blog a list titled: [21 Reasons Why School Woodworking Programs are Important in the 21st Century](http://wisdomofhands.blogspot.com/2013/11/21-reasons.html). He includes that woodworking instills the habits of attention, perseverance, and patience; provides relevancy of other subject matter (art, math, science, history, etc.) to student’s lives, thereby preparing them for a lifetime of learning; assists students in communicating and understanding ideas non-verbally, through pictures, sketches and technical drawings; provides a non-contrived opportunity for engagement of multiple intelligences; and helps students gain confidence as real world problem solvers. Peck’s woodworking students are proud of their accomplishments: the tangible projects that result from their diligent efforts and those achievements resulting from the intangible connections that enable success beyond the woodshop. Topics: [Art Department Chair](https://blog.peckschool.org/blog/tag/art-department-chair) ### Subscribe Here! ### Recent Posts ### Posts by Tag - [Uncategorized (8)](https://blog.peckschool.org/blog/tag/uncategorized) - [Director of Marketing and Community Outreach (5)](https://blog.peckschool.org/blog/tag/director-of-marketing-and-community-outreach) - [School Psychologist (5)](https://blog.peckschool.org/blog/tag/school-psychologist) - [Academic Technology Integrator (3)](https://blog.peckschool.org/blog/tag/academic-technology-integrator) - [Head of Upper School (3)](https://blog.peckschool.org/blog/tag/head-of-upper-school) - [Director of Curriculum & Faculty Development (2)](https://blog.peckschool.org/blog/tag/director-of-curriculum-faculty-development) - [Director of Finance and Operations (2)](https://blog.peckschool.org/blog/tag/director-of-finance-and-operations) - [Grade 2 Teacher (2)](https://blog.peckschool.org/blog/tag/grade-2-teacher) - [admissions (2)](https://blog.peckschool.org/blog/tag/admissions) - [Art Department Chair (1)](https://blog.peckschool.org/blog/tag/art-department-chair) - [Character Education (1)](https://blog.peckschool.org/blog/tag/character-education) - [DEIB (1)](https://blog.peckschool.org/blog/tag/deib) - [Director of Athletics (1)](https://blog.peckschool.org/blog/tag/director-of-athletics) - [Director of Secondary School Counseling (1)](https://blog.peckschool.org/blog/tag/director-of-secondary-school-counseling) - [Director of the Idea and Design Lab (1)](https://blog.peckschool.org/blog/tag/director-of-the-idea-and-design-lab) - [Head of Lower School (1)](https://blog.peckschool.org/blog/tag/head-of-lower-school) - [Head of School (1)](https://blog.peckschool.org/blog/tag/head-of-school) - [Kindergarten Teacher (1)](https://blog.peckschool.org/blog/tag/kindergarten-teacher) - [Leadership (1)](https://blog.peckschool.org/blog/tag/leadership) - [Spanish Teacher (1)](https://blog.peckschool.org/blog/tag/spanish-teacher) - [Upper School English Teacher (1)](https://blog.peckschool.org/blog/tag/upper-school-english-teacher) See all [![Peckschool](https://blog.peckschool.org/hubfs/PeckSchool_July2018/Images/master-logo.png)](https://www.peckschool.org/) timeless traditions timely transformation ### List of 3 items. - #### 247 South Street - #### Morristown, New Jersey 07960 - #### 973.539.8660 Northern New Jersey's timeless and transformative independent education for grades K-8