Welcome to Carpentry

Week 1 Syllabus

Course Title

Intro to Carpentry for Teens

Week 1 Theme

Laying the Foundation

Duration

6 Hours

Learning Objectives

- Understand what carpentry is and its role in the trades

- Explore carpentry careers and pathways

- Learn classroom and workshop safety expectations

- Identify basic tools and terminology

- Set up a personal carpentry notebook and binder system

Hour 1: Introduction to Carpentry Careers

• Watch Intro to Carpentry Careers video 2.

• Worksheet #1

• Watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uRJnGfvLco

Hour 2: Course Overview & Expectations

• Complete Worksheet #2 Student writing prompt: “Why I Want to Learn Carpentry”

• Sign safety contract worksheet #3

• Watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIUK0ItCIQo

Hour 3: Safety First! Gear & Guidelines

• Watch Video #3- Safety Gear

• Amazon link to safety gear.

• Worksheet #4

• Look over worksheet #5 Safety

Hour 4: Tools & Vocabulary

• View worksheet #6

• Complete worksheet #7

• Read worksheet #8 and practice questions

Hour 5: Binder & Notebook Setup

• Set up “Toolbox Binder” with dividers: Safety, Tools, Projects, Notes

• Decorate personal carpenter’s notebook

Hour 6: Creative Recap + Review

• Worksheet #9 Notebook prompt: Draw your dream tool or workshop

• Worksheet #10 build your carpenter’s board

End of Week Deliverables

- Completed Tool ID Chart

- Signed Safety Contract

- Decorated Personal Carpenter’s Notebook

- Organized Toolbox Binder with Week 1 materials

complete this and add it to your binder:

Week 2 Syllabus

Course Title

Intro to Carpentry for Teens

Week 2 Theme

Measure Twice, Cut Once

Duration

6 Hours

Learning Objectives

• Understand how and why accurate measurements matter in carpentry.

• Learn to use a tape measure and carpenter’s square correctly.

• Practice marking and reading measurements in inches and fractions.

• Apply layout skills in a mini measuring & marking project.

Materials needed.

• Tape measure

• Squares – speed, combo, T

• Pre-cut boards or paper

• School supplies

• Student binder and notebook

• View Worksheets 5, 6, 8, and 9 to check materials.

Hour 1: Measurement Basics

Activities:

1. Watch: Video #4 “Measuring for Success” (2–3 min)

2. Worksheet #1 “Why does precision matter in carpentry?”

3. Worksheet #2: “Label the parts of a tape measure.”

Hour 2: Tool Focus – Tape Measure

Activities:

1. Video #5 How to hook, lock, and read a tape measure.

2. Worksheet #3 Practice activity.

Hour 3: Tool Focus – Squares

Activities:

1. Video Demonstration #6: Drawing straight and 90° lines with a square.

2. Worksheet #4: “Name That Square”

3. Worksheet #5: Practice: Marking 90° lines on paper or wood scraps

Hour 4: Layout Practice Lab

Focus: Putting skills into action

Activities:

1. Worksheet #6 Layout.

2. Worksheet #7 Speed Square Labeling.

3. Worksheet #8 Scribe Lines Challenge.

Hours 5 and 6: Mini Project – Custom Name Plate

Focus: Applying measurement and layout for a real project

Activities:

1. Video introducing project #6

2. Instructions on worksheet #9. Students measure and mark a layout for a wooden name plate.

Complete this and add it to your binder:

Week 3 Syllabus

Course Title

Intro to Carpentry for Teens

Week 3 Theme

Hand tools

Duration

6 Hours

Learning Objectives

• Master basic hand tool use.

Materials needed.

• Hammer, handsaw, level, clamp, screwdriver, nails, screws

• Check the worksheets for additional materials needed in hour 4 and 6.

Hour 1: Introduction & Safety Review

Activities:

1. Watch Overview of common hand tools VIDEO #7

2. Worksheet #1 Students handle and identify each tool

3. Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9YYFwEVIgU&t=3s

Hour 2: Hammering Techniques

Activities:

1. Watch video 26 Hammer.

2. Practice driving nails into scrap wood and pulling nails cleanly using claw side.

3. Complete worksheet #2.

4. Review safety guidelines on Worksheet #3.

Hour 3: Handsaws

Activities:

1. Video #27 Sawing.

2. Complete activities in worksheet #4.

Hour 4: Screwdrivers and Screwing Techniques

Activities:

1. Video #8.

2. Follow directions in Worksheet #5.

Hour 5: Levels and Clamps

Activities:

1. Follow directions in worksheet #6.

Hour 7: Hand Tool Practice.

Activities:

1. Follow directions in worksheet #7.

Complete this and add it to your binder:

Week 4 Syllabus

Course Title

Intro to Carpentry for Teens

Duration

6 Hours

Learning Objectives

Safely use basic power tools

Materials needed.

• Hammer, handsaw, level, clamp, screwdriver, nails, screws

• Check the worksheets for additional materials needed in hour 4 and 6.

Hour 1: Introduction & Safety Review

Activities:

1. Watch Overview of common power tools VIDEO #9

2. Worksheet #1-3

Hour 2: Power Grinder basics.

Activities:

1. Complete the activities on Worksheet #4.

Hour 3: Orbital Sander basics.

Activities:

1. Complete the activities on Worksheet #5.

Hour 4: Drill basics.

Activities:

1. Complete the activities on Worksheet #6.

Hour 4-6: Project introduction and building.

Activities:

1. Activity: Students will practice using power tools by making both builds. Worksheet #7.

2. Complete worksheets #8 and #9.

Complete this and add it to your binder:

Week 5 Syllabus

Course Title

Intro to Carpentry for Teens

Duration

6 Hours

Learning Objectives

Identify different woods and materials used in carpentry

Materials needed.

• Pieces of Pine | Oak | Cedar | MDF | Plywood

• Stains for Worksheet #5 and 6.

Hour 1: Introduction to Wood Types

1. VIDEO #10 What is wood?

2. Worksheet #1: Best wood for each project

Hour 2: Engineered Woods

1. Read worksheet #2 to learn about plywood, MDF, and particle board.

2. Complete worksheet #3 – Material Budget Challenge

Hour 3: Wood Comparison Test

Complete worksheet #4 Wood Science Lab.

Hour 4: Sanding Techniques Practice

1. Video #11: how to use sanding blocks and orbital sanders

2. Students practice sanding on soft and hardwood pieces.

Hours 5 and 6: Finishing Practice and Project – Mini Wood Display Board

Video #12: stains, clear coat, and paints

Worksheet #5: Wood finish comparison chart. Students create a labeled board featuring 4–6 wood types.

Complete this and add it to your binder:

Week 6 Syllabus

Course Title

Intro to Carpentry for Teens

Duration

6 Hours

Learning Objectives

Identify different fasteners and learn basic joinery.

Materials needed.

Check worksheets for items needed.

Hour 1: Introduction to Fasteners

1. Watch Video Mini-Lesson: Screws, nails, and wood glue – when and why to use each

2. Demo: Show examples of wood held together with each method

3. Read about fasteners on Worksheet #1.

4. Complete quiz on worksheet #2.

5. Activity: Practice driving screws and nails into scrap wood

Hour 2: Introduction to Basic Wood Joints

1. Watch Video Mini-Lesson: What are wood joints? Overview of: Butt joints, Lap

joints, Dowel joints

2. Complete worksheet #3.

Hour 3: Build Sample Joints

1. VIDEO instruction and then follow the lesson plan in worksheet #4.

Hour 4: Glue Strength Test

1. Read instructions on Worksheet #5 and complete activity.

Hours 5 and 6: Project – Small Stool or Crate

1. Read instructions on Worksheet #6 and complete activity.

Complete this and add it to your binder:

Week 7 Syllabus

Lesson Plan Document: Week 7 – Blueprint Reading & Design.

Course Title

Intro to Carpentry for Teens

Duration

6 Hours

Learning Objectives

Read and interpret simple carpentry blueprints. Create your own project sketch and plan.

Materials needed

• Ruler

• Graph paper

• Pencil

• Check worksheets for items needed.

Hour 1: Introduction to Blueprints

1. Watch VIDEO https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5GVlJ_N68I

2. Use worksheet #1 to explore symbols and standard blueprint elements.

3. Complete quiz on worksheets #1.

4. Complete worksheet #2.

Hour 2: Reading Sample Blueprints

1. Review several blueprint examples.

2. Practice identifying scale, dimensions, and labels.

3. Complete worksheet #3.

Hour 3: Introduction to Scaled Drawing.

1. Review Worksheet #4 and complete activity.

Hour 4-6 Sketch

1. Use the prompts and activities on Worksheet #5 to practice sketching

Complete this and add it to your binder:

Week 8 Syllabus

Lesson Plan Document: Week 8 – Framing Basics.

Course Title

Intro to Carpentry for Teens

Duration

6 Hours

Learning Objectives

Learn about framing.

Materials needed.

Pencils, paper

See worksheets.

Hour 1: Introduction to Framing Concepts

1. Watch video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bjuwpo9d3cQ

2. Read introduction on Worksheet #1.

3. Complete quiz on worksheet #2.

4. Activity: complete worksheet #3.

Hour 2-3: Understanding Wall Frame Parts & Spacing

1. Complete worksheet #4.

2. Watch video: Tape measure demo video 17: how to measure stud spacing.

3. Use worksheet #5 Build a Mini Wall Frame Model.

Hour 4: Build

1. Use worksheet #6 and build a mini frame model with a window.

2. Complete quiz on worksheet #7.

Hour 5: Framing Basics Challenge

1. Use the instructions on Worksheet #8 to complete the challenge.

Hour 6: Test

1. Complete Mini Header Strength test on Worksheet #9.

Complete this and add it to your binder:

Week 9 Syllabus

Lesson Plan Document: Week 9 – Finish Carpentry.

Course Title

Intro to Carpentry for Teens

Duration

6 Hours

Learning Objectives

Learn the essentials of finish carpentry, including accurate measuring, cutting, fitting, and fastening of trim, baseboards, casing, and other finishing details.

Materials needed.

• Measuring tape, speed square, miter saw, coping saw

• Wood glue, finish nails, hammer or nailer

• Baseboard, door casing, corner trim pieces

• Caulk, wood filler, sandpaper, paint/stain (optional)

Hour 1: Introduction to Finish Carpentry

1. Read worksheet #1 about finish carpentry and its role in construction

2. Complete worksheet #2 identify trim.

3. Complete worksheet #3 Sketch.

Hour 2: Measuring and Layout

1. VIDEO #21 How to measure for finish trim

2. Worksheet #4 Using a speed square and tape for layout

3. VIDEO #22 Trim Cuts

Hour 3: Scribe Lines

1. Worksheet #5 Scribe Lines Challenge.

2. Video #24 Trim Install

Hour 4: Trim Board.

1. Follow worksheet #6 to complete a Trim Style Board.

2. Finish worksheet #7.

Hour 5: Caulking, Filling, and Sanding

1. Video #24 Caulk

2. Worksheet #8 Install baseboard.

Hour 6: Final Project & Evaluation

1. Worksheet #9 Install crown molding.

Complete this and add it to your binder:

Week 10 Syllabus

Project Duration:

6 hours

Skills Learned:

• Measuring and layout using a speed square and tape

• Cutting wood to length

• Drilling and fastening with screws

• Using wood glue for joints

• Sanding, edge finishing

• Installing trim or decorative edges

Materials Needed:

Per your design.

Project Steps:

During this final week it is your job to create a small bench with a shelf from scratch. You will be designing it, assembling it, sanding it, and adding finishing touches. At the end your teacher or parent will assess your work.

Hour 1: Design and Layout

• Design your bench.

• Review plans and measurements.

• Mark and cut all boards for top, shelf, legs, and supports.

Hour 2–3: Assembly

• Attach legs to the bench top using glue and screws.

• Add shelf between the legs at desired height.

• Install support braces underneath or behind for strength.

Hour 4: Sanding & Edge Work

• Round over edges with sandpaper or router.

• Fill screw holes, gaps with wood filler if needed.

Hour 5: Finishing Touches

• Apply stain or paint.

• Add trim or decorative touches.

Hour 6: Presentation & Clean Up

• Students present their bench and describe their process.

• Clean tools and workspace.

Complete this and add it to your binder: