Grade 10 woodwork Wood Processes and Products – Project Activity (Furniture Item) Notes

Specific Learning Outcomes

• a) Construct a furniture item using hand tools.
• b) Appreciate the skills learned by completing a woodwork project.
• c) Understand the concept of Project Activity (Furniture Item).

Project Brief

Design and construct a small furniture item: a simple 3‑leg stool suitable for school use. The project uses hand tools and local timber. Emphasis is on planning, accuracy of joints, safe workshop practice and finishing.

Suggested finished dimensions (example)

• Seat diameter: 300 mm
• Seat thickness: 25–30 mm
• Leg length (floor to underside of seat): 400 mm
• Leg tenon diameter or width: 20–25 mm (if using tenons/dowels)

Materials (Kenyan context)

• Timber: locally available species such as cypress (Cupressus), eucalyptus, pine or mango — choose straight-grained, dry stock.
• Wood glue (PVA) and/or exterior-grade adhesive if stool may be used outdoors.
• Sandpaper (80, 120, 220 grit), finishing oil or varnish/paint.
• Optional dowels or hardwood for tenons (20–25 mm diameter).

Hand Tools

• Try square, marking gauge, ruler/tape measure, pencil
• Hand saw (tenon saw or crosscut saw), coping saw (optional)
• Chisels (12–20 mm), wooden mallet
• Brace & bit (hand drill) with appropriate bits or a gimlet
• Surform/rasp, smoothing plane (if available)
• Sanding block, clamps

Important Safety Rules

1. Wear eye protection and closed footwear. Use dust masks when sanding.
2. Keep fingers away from saw path and sharpened chisels; always cut away from yourself.
3. Secure work with clamps before chiselling or drilling.
4. Keep the workshop tidy — remove offcuts and sawdust regularly.
5. Use tools only after teacher demonstration and permission.

Construction Steps (step‑by‑step for 3‑leg stool)

1. Plan & draw: Make a simple working drawing showing top view (circle seat) and side view with leg angle. Prepare a cutting list: one seat, three legs.
2. Mark out seat: Transfer the seat diameter to timber. Cut roughly with saw then smooth round with rasp/plane to 300 mm diameter.
3. Prepare legs: Cut three legs to length (400 mm). If making tapered legs, mark taper and shave with plane or rasp.
4. Make joints — choose method:
   • Round-dowel method (simpler): Drill three holes under the seat at equal spacing (~120° apart) sized to receive leg dowels or tenons; form dowel/tenons on legs (20–25 mm) and glue into holes.
   • Mortise & tenon (stronger): Mark and cut three mortises into the underside of the seat and form tenons on the legs to fit; use chisel for mortises and shoulder saw/chisel for tenons. Fit dry, then glue and assemble.
5. Dry-fit and check: Assemble without glue to ensure correct angles and that the stool sits level. Adjust leg lengths or angles as needed.
6. Glue-up and clamping: Apply glue to joint faces (or use dowel glue), assemble, and clamp or hold firmly until the glue sets (follow glue instructions).
7. Finish shaping: Plane or sand all surfaces smooth, round edges slightly for comfort.
8. Final finish: Sand progressively (80 → 120 → 220). Apply oil or varnish suitable for the chosen timber. Allow to dry between coats.

Suggested Learning Experiences (for age 15, Kenyan schools)

• Teacher demonstration: show marking out of seat, drilling holes and making a tenon or dowel. Let learners observe safety checks.
• Group project: students work in pairs or trios to build one stool — this builds teamwork and peer teaching.
• Field visit: arrange visit to a local carpenter or timber yard to see furniture production and learn about timber selection, costs and sourcing.
• Entrepreneurship link: discuss cost of materials and selling price — how to make profit and the market for simple school furniture in the community.
• Peer assessment: students inspect each other’s stools using a simple checklist (accuracy, strength, finish, safety).

Assessment & Success Criteria

Use a simple rubric (total 20 marks):

• Planning & drawing: 3 marks
• Accuracy of measurements & joints: 6 marks
• Quality of finish (sanding, neatness, coating): 4 marks
• Strength & stability of stool: 4 marks
• Safety and workshop behaviour: 3 marks

Pass standard: correct joints, stable stool, no major safety faults.

Cross‑Curricular Links & Life Skills

• Mathematics: measurement, geometry (angles and circles), scaling and costing.
• Entrepreneurship: material costing, pricing, basic marketing.
• Environmental education: select sustainable timber, avoid illegal cutting; consider reclaimed wood.
• Personal development: patience, problem solving, teamwork and pride in workmanship.

Differentiation & Support

• Less experienced students: use pre-cut seats or dowel method; teacher pre-drills holes.
• Advanced students: design a four‑leg stool with stretchers or try wedged tenons for aesthetic learning.
• Ensure learners with physical difficulties get adapted tasks (measurement, finishing) or assisted tool use.

Reflection & Classroom Discussion

After completing the project, students should answer:

1. What challenges did you face when making your stool and how did you solve them?
2. Which joint did you use and why? Was it strong enough?
3. How would you improve your design if you made another stool?
4. Could this stool be sold? Who would be the customers and what price would you set?