California Career and Technical Education Standards

• ANR.B.B1.1 Practice the rules for personal and group safety while working in an agricultura...
• ANR.B.B2.3 Know how to identify, select, and implement basic fastening systems.
• ANR.B.B2.4 Complete a woodworking project, including interpreting a plan, developing a bill...
• ANR.FS.11.0 Demonstration and Application
• ANR.FS.4.2 Understand the use of technological resources to access, manipulate, and produce...
• ANR.FS.4.6 Differentiate among, select, and apply appropriate tools and technology.
• ANR.FS.5.3 Use critical thinking skills to make informed decisions and solve problems.
• ANR.FS.6.2 Understand critical elements for health and safety practices related to storing,...
• ANR.FS.6.4 Maintain safe and healthful working conditions.
• ANR.FS.6.5 Use tools and machines safely and appropriately.
• ANR.FS.6.6 Know how to both prevent and respond to accidents in the agricultural industry.
• ANR.FS.7.1 Understand the qualities and behaviors that constitute a positive and profession...
• ANR.FS.7.5 Understand the importance of time management to fulfill responsibilities.
• ANR.FS.7.6 Know how to apply high-quality craftsmanship to a product or presentation and co...
• ANR.FS.9.3 Understand how to organize and structure work individually and in teams for effe...

California Academic Content Standards (Reinforced)

• M.6.MR.2.7 Make precise calculations and check the validity of the results from the context...

• Anticipatory Sets or Hooks - Hooks / Set

  This project will take multiple days to complete.  I have included the hook I use on the first day as an example of what I use to hook my students for project layout (see below).  Typically, I wait to see how quickly the class is moving as a whole or what step I will begin with,  to plan my next hook at the beginning of the next class. 
• What do these projects have in common? - Hooks / Set

  I start this lesson by showing a picture of the Death Star, a welding project, building under construction and a custom chopper.  Asking the question, "What do all of these projects have in common?". Giving them a moment to think about the question, I randomly call on students and guide the comments in the right direction. The right direction obviously is that these projects, all started with layout and planning. Then moving into layout of our planter box project.

  • Pictures of Different Projects [ Download ] This is a one slide power point that has pictures of projects.
• Laying out the planter box project. - Demo / Modeling

  Demonstrating the proper tools needed, I show the students how to layout their project in order to not waste any material during the construction of the project. We go through this as a group before moving out in to the shop and constructing the project.

  • Planter Box Instructions, Procedures and Grade Sheet [ Download ]
• Demonstration- Cutting Down the 1"X12" with the table saw and radial arm saw - Demo / Modeling

  2. Adjust table saw rip fence so that it measures 5 ½" from the fence to the inside of the saw blade.
  
  3. Rip the 1" X 12"
  
  4. On the side that measures 5 ½", measure and mark it at 22", Using the Radial arm saw cut the board in two.
  
  5. On the other piece of wood, make sure that it is 5 ½" wide, if not use the planer to shave off the excess wood. ( Make sure that you use a test piece of wood on the planer before you plane your piece of redwood).
  
  6. Mark out 22" on this piece and cut it with the radial arm saw.
  
  7. Mark out 4 7/8" on your piece of wood leftover and cut it with the radial arm saw.
  
  8. Mark out 4 7/8" on your piece of wood leftover and cut it with the radial arm saw.
• Students cutting down their 1" X 12" with the table saw and radial arm saw - Lab / Shop

  2. Adjust table saw rip fence so that it measures 5 ½? from the fence to the inside of the saw blade.
  
  3. Rip the 1" X 12"
  
  4. On the side that measures 5 ½", measure and mark it at 22", Using the Radial arm saw cut the board in two.
  
  5. On the other piece of wood, make sure that it is 5 ½" wide, if not use the planer to shave off the excess wood. ( Make sure that you use a test piece of wood on the planer before you plane your piece of redwood).
  
  6. Mark out 22" on this piece and cut it with the radial arm saw.
  
  7. Mark out 4 7/8" on your piece of wood leftover and cut it with the radial arm saw.
  
  8. Mark out 4 7/8" on your piece of wood leftover and cut it with the radial arm saw.
• Demonstration- Making their Dado and rabbet joint - Demo / Modeling

  Important: Do not mark your wood at the same time you make your cuts and measure each time. This is so your measurements will not be off because of saw kerf. Save your scrap wood and put it away for now.
  
  9. Make sure that your two sides and your bottom are of equal length. Make sure that your end pieces are also of equal length.
  
  10. On your sides and bottom, measure in 1 ½" and mark it.
  
  11. Using the Dado saw, make ¾" dado cuts in your wood.
  
  12. On the bottom of your two side pieces, measure from the bottom of your wood up ¾" the length of your board.
  
  13. Using the table saw with the wobble blade set up, make your Rabbet cut the length of the board.
  
  14. Take your two side pieces, lower the blade on the table saw so that it sticks up no more than 1/8". Run a test piece of wood so that you are sure that the blade will not make a cut deeper than 1/8", adjust if necessary and retest.
  
  15. Adjust the rip fence to1". With the top of your side facing towards the rip fence, run both sides so that they make the cut. Important run the side that is opposite of the Rabbet cut!!!!!!!!!
  
  16. Adjust the rip fence to 2 ¾", run both sides through again.
  
  17. Using your scrap wood, cut two pieces 1" wide
  
  18. Holding those two pieces together go to the belt sander and round the corners on one side, so that each leg will match the other.
  
  Now, all cuts have been made for your Planter Box, Next step, assemble it.
• Students making their dado and rabbet joints - Lab / Shop

  Important: Do not mark your wood at the same time you make your cuts and measure each time. This is so your measurements will not be off because of saw kerf. Save your scrap wood and put it away for now.
  
  9. Make sure that your two sides and your bottom are of equal length. Make sure that your end pieces are also of equal length.
  
  10. On your sides and bottom, measure in 1 ½" and mark it.
  
  11. Using the Dado saw, make ¾" dado cuts in your wood.
  
  12. On the bottom of your two side pieces, measure from the bottom of your wood up ¾" the length of your board.
  
  13. Using the table saw with the wobble blade set up, make your Rabbet cut the length of the board.
  
  14. Take your two side pieces, lower the blade on the table saw so that it sticks up no more than 1/8". Run a test piece of wood so that you are sure that the blade will not make a cut deeper than 1/8", adjust if necessary and retest.
  
  15. Adjust the rip fence to1". With the top of your side facing towards the rip fence, run both sides so that they make the cut. Important run the side that is opposite of the Rabbet cut!!!!!!!!!
  
  16. Adjust the rip fence to 2 ¾", run both sides through again.
  
  17. Using your scrap wood, cut two pieces 1" wide
  
  18. Holding those two pieces together go to the belt sander and round the corners on one side, so that each leg will match the other.
  
  Now, all cuts have been made for your Planter Box, Next step, assemble it.
• Demonstration- Assembling your Redwood Planter Box - Demo / Modeling

  Assembly:
  
  1. Take your bottom and your legs, place your legs under the bottom so that they are directly in the center of the dado cut on the opposite side.
  
  2. Measure in 1" and start your screws, you will need two screws for each leg. You may make pilot holes using the drill. Make sure that your legs are centered underneath.
  
  3. Glue your legs and screw them to the bottom.
  
  4. On your sides, place a mark 3/8" from the bottom at 1?" and 6" from each side, and one directly in the middle at 11". Place the bottom where it should go and drill pilot holes with a pilot/ countersink bit. Start your screws in your side pieces.
  
  5. Glue your bottom to your side and screw in the screws.
  
  6. Repeat Step #5 for the other side.
  
  7. On the side opposite the end dado cuts, place a mark in the center of your design marks and a mark 1 ½" up from the bottom. Place the end pieces in position and drill your pilot holes. Start your screws on your sides.
  
  8. Glue your end pieces and screw in your screws.
• Students assembling their Redwood Planter Boxes - Lab / Shop

  Assembly:
  
  1. Take your bottom and your legs, place your legs under the bottom so that they are directly in the center of the dado cut on the opposite side.
  
  2. Measure in 1" and start your screws, you will need two screws for each leg. You may make pilot holes using the drill. Make sure that your legs are centered underneath.
  
  3. Glue your legs and screw them to the bottom.
  
  4. On your sides, place a mark 3/8" from the bottom at 1" and 6" from each side, and one directly in the middle at 11". Place the bottom where it should go and drill pilot holes with a pilot/countersink bit. Start your screws in your side pieces.
  
  5. Glue your bottom to your side and screw in the screws.
  
  6. Repeat Step #5 for the other side.
  
  7. On the side opposite the end dado cuts, place a mark in the center of your design marks and a mark 1 ½" up from the bottom. Place the end pieces in position and drill your pilot holes. Start your screws on your sides.
  
  8. Glue your end pieces and screw in your screws.
• Demonstration- Drilling your Drainage Holes - Demo / Modeling

  Drilling your Holes
  
  1. Turn your Planter over. Measure your bottom, 1 ¾" from one side and 3 ½" from the leg. Mark it On the same side, measure in 9" from the same reference side and Mark it the same distance from the side. From the opposite end measure in 3 ½" and 1 ¾" from the side and mark it. You should have three marks that run along the same side.
  
  2. On the other side measure in 6" and 1 ¾" from the side and mark it, do the same from the opposite end. Now, you have two marks on one side and three marks on the other side.
  
  3. Using the bit brace and ½" auger bits with the bit brace, bore your drainage holes.
• Student drilling their drainage holes - Lab / Shop

  Drilling your Holes
  
  1. Turn your planter over. Measure your bottom, 1 ¾" from one side and 3 ½" from the leg. Mark it On the same side, measure in 9" from the same reference side and Mark it the same distance from the side. From the opposite end measure in 3 ½" and 1 ¾" from the side and mark it. You should have three marks that run along the same side.
  
  2. On the other side measure in 6" and 1 ¾" from the side and mark it, do the same from the opposite end. Now, you have two marks on one side and three marks on the other side.
  
  3. Using the bit brace and ½" auger bits with the bit brace, bore your drainage holes.
• Demonstration- Finishing your project - Demo / Modeling

  During this demonstration, I use pieces with common mistakes and fix them using different techniques depending on the flaw. I stress to the students that although this seems like the easiest step, it is the most important step to complete as well as being the most important. Finishing:
  
  1. Sand your project down, to a nice smooth finish.
  
  2. Stain or paint your project.
  
  3. Turn your project in to the designated area. Turn in the project and the grading sheet.
• Students finishing their redwood planter boxes - Lab / Shop

  Finishing:
  
  1. Sand your project down, to a nice smooth finish.
  
  2. Stain or paint your project.
  
  3. Turn your project in to the designated area. Turn in the project and the grading sheet.
• Closure-Summary - Closure

  Having students look over the finished projects in class, we examine each project and discuss any improvements that might need to be made to complete the project. At this point, I ask the students to give me their feeling and reactions to this project. During my closure, I am checking for students understanding of project construction and the emphasis on finishing projects completely and accurately.