Construction projects have started for Mr. Scott’s class this year. The boys had the task of designing and building a clothesline for one of their first construction projects in the community. They are learning how to use some of the tools and are finding tips that will help them as the difficulty of projects increases. Keeping everything square, level and plum were stressed. They also found that, due to the dry soil, good old Nebraska dirt can be pretty hard to dig in by hand. With seven students, they all got a turn at the post hole diggers.
Students are currently working on adding a one car garage to a house here in town. Careful planning must take place before starting this project. Materials have to be estimated and ordered such as windows, walk through doors and garage doors. The existing siding on the house has to be cut and removed where the walls will fasten to the existing house. Finding the pitch of the existing house was discussed using a level and a tape measure. The students are currently studying wall framing and learning the names of all the parts of a typical wall. Students will plan and build three walls that will all be tied together at the top with a double top plate. They also have to order rafters of the correct length, pitch and heal height to match the existing house. Stay tuned for more on this project as it progresses.
