Grades:

9 to 12

Industries and Pathways:

Agriculture & Natural Resources

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.B1.2 Know the relationship between accepted shop management procedures and a safe wor...
• ANR.B.B2.1 Know how to identify common wood products, lumber types, and sizes.
• 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.4.6 Differentiate among, select, and apply appropriate tools and technology.
• ANR.FS.5.1 Apply appropriate problem-solving strategies and critical thinking skills to wor...
• ANR.FS.5.3 Use critical thinking skills to make informed decisions and solve problems.
• ANR.FS.6.1 Know policies, procedures, and regulations regarding health and safety in the wo...
• 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...

California Academic Content Standards (Reinforced)

• ELA.9-10.R.CAGT.2.6 Demonstrate use of sophisticated learning tools by following technical direction...2

• Project Introduction - Hooks / Set

  At the start of class have two things in the front of the room:

  1.  A store bought wood sawhorse (Home Depot sells one that is the basis of this project).

  2.  A sample finished project that you (the teacher) constructed.

  Start the discussion by explaining that when you were at Home Depot you came across this sawhorse and thought that this would make a nice project for the students to complete for three reasons:

  1.  Constructing a sawhorse would be a practical way to demonstrate the skills learned during the wood working unit.

  2.  This is a project that would be useful at home and could be displayed at the county fair(s).

  3.  Constructing this project will be the hands-on "test" that the students will take for the wood working unit.

  • Sawhorse Picture #1 [ View Image ] [ Download Original ] Side view of the sawhorse bought at Home Depot.
  • Sawhorse Picture #2 [ View Image ] [ Download Original ] End view showing the plywood gusset.
• Project Overview and Demonstrations - Demo / Modeling

  In this section you will review the instructions and project materials with the students using the "Wood Sawhorse Instructions" power point slides.  Also, use the "Student Packet" to help the students to follow along and to take notes from the power point.  There is a student worksheet included in the student packet that will bring out important details in the construction process.

  • Sawhorse Student Packet [ Download ] Contains materials & tools needed, plans, worksheet and instructions.
  • Wood Sawhorse Instructions.ppt [ Download ] Power Point directions.
• Sawhorse Tools & Materials ID - Assessment

  This is a power point file of tools and materials used to construct the Sawhorse.  Also included (in Word) are a Tool & Materials ID Quiz and the corresponding answer key.

  • Sawhorse Tool & Material ID.ppt [ Download ] Power Point slides of tools & Materials used to construct the Sawhorse.
  • Tool & Material ID - Quiz [ Download ]
  • Tool & Material ID Quiz - Key [ Download ]
• Wood Sawhorse Construction - Lab / Shop

  Over the next few days the students will work in the shop constructing their sawhorse.  Supply a set of plans to each student.  The plans contain pertinent information such as instructions, materials needed, and tools used to complete the project. 

  Also, give some thought to how you will channel your students through the shop to see where the "bottlenecks" will be (parts of the construction phase where students have to wait long periods of time to use a tool).  This will depend on the availability of tools, work bench space, and traffic patterns.  A recommendation would be to set up stations so you can spread the students out and utilize your tools and space more effectively.

  • Sawhorse Plans - CAD [ Download ]
  • Sawhorse Plans - PDF [ Download ]
• Shop Management - Closure

  This activity will take place at the end of each Lab/Shop session.  It is important to have prepared some sort of an organized clean-up routine.

  Things to consider are:

  1.  Accounting for and putting away tools.

  2.  Storage of materials and supplies till the next Lab/Shop session.

  3.  Storage of partially finished or finished projects.

  4.  Clean-up of the shop (ie. sweeping).

  Recommendation:  Since this project will take 5 to 7 Lab/Shop sessions, split the class into 4 groups and assign each group to complete one of the items on the list above and rotate the groups each day.
• Modifications to this project - Other

  Successful completion of this project may depend on the availability of tools and/or resources to pay for materials.  Also, construct a sawhorse yourself before taking this on as a class project to see where the pitfalls (difficult parts of the project for the students) and "bottlenecks" will be.  Consider the following:

  1.  Safety - Review safety rules for hand and power tools as needed.  A compound miter saw is actually safer and easier to use than a circular saw.

  2.  Tools - If a compound miter saw is not available, a power circular saw would work instead.  A hand saw would make this project very difficult to complete. 

  3.  Assistance - Be prepared to assist the students with the more complicated portions of the project, especially when marking and cutting the compound angles.

  4.  Materials - To reduce costs, shorten the length of the legs and the top of the sawhorse.  A 24" top and 24" legs will sufice.  Shop around for materials and consider alternative wood sources.