Project Criteria

Woods
Levels 2, 3, 4 & 5
Mr. Gross
Why do you need criteria for your project?
Criteria for a project are set so that you may reach your maximum potential as a
woodworking student. By setting these standards you are encouraged to stretch your
boundaries into areas that you are not comfortable in. Without such encouragement you
would most likely build a project that is similar to what you have done in the past thus not
challenging yourself and not growing as a woodworker.
By trying new methods and working with new materials and processes you will
become more confident in your woodworking skills and feel better about attempting new
concept you once thought unattainable.
Without setting goals (criteria) that stretch your boundaries you would probably settle
for “stuff” and things that are “good enough”. That is not what we are about here at PLHS.
Striving to be better is our ultimate goal. Never settle for what you are. Reach for what you
can be.

What makes a good project?

 What will the project do?  What requirements must you meet?
 What is its purpose?  Size?
 Will it hold something?  Architectural limits – “outside
 Is it to organize something? to in”
 What will it look like?  Storage requirements- “inside to
 What wood will you use? out”
 What design style will you use?  Moving it- transportation, going
 What will visually tie the top to the round corners
sides, etc?  Operational space- door swings,
 Will it test your skills? drawer extents
 Is it just for fun?  Hardware sizes
 Are you trying something new?  Material sizes
 Is it stretching your skill level?  Cost?
 Why are you making it?  Materials
 For family?  Hardware
 For you?  Finish
 For profit?  Materials?
 For speculation?  Color
 Where will you get your design?  Grain pattern
 How will you plan it?  Class requirements?
 From a picture?  What finish will you use?
 From a magazine?  Painted
 From a book?  Stained
 Is it a copy of an original  Polyurethane
somewhere?  Oil
 Did you design it from scratch?  Lacquer
  Where will it be used? • Outdoors
• Indoors
Criteria for a woods project:

Each student will write a proposal for any project considered.

The written proposal will include:
o A complete with a set of plans or drawings.
o A brief reason why the student chose this project.
o A list of features in the project that are NEW challenges.
• Examples: Joinery, Trim styles, Decorative techniques, Materials,
Hardware, etc.
o What new process the student will encounter.
o A complete list of tools to be used.
o A timeline showing phase completion dates.
o A detailed Project Procedure Outline for the project.
o A Cut List estimating the final cost of the project.
• This is to include the cost of hardware, glass, etc.

This proposal will be turned in to Mr. Gross for further review. Any proposal up
for consideration will be subject to a defense interview with Mr. Gross. At the conclusion
of defense interview the proposal will either be accepted or denied. A denied proposal
must be rewritten and presented again.

Upon acceptance of the project the student MUST have the following steps
completed before beginning the project:
o The proposal MUST be signed by a parent indicating that they are aware
of the project and its cost.
o A down payment of $25 be paid to the bookstore.
o The students Lab Fee of $20 be paid.
o All parent release form turned in.
o All safety testing completed.

Production Review:

Approximately every 4 weeks the progress of the project will be documented. The
student will perform weekly progress reports for the teacher in the form of Friday Cards
or Journal entries and an update of the timeline calendar for completion of the project.

Completion of the project:

The project is complete when all hardware, glass and finish are applied to the project.
To receive full credit for the project it must:
o Be complete by the above standards.
o Be displayed in the Annual Woods Show.
o All documents including the Cut List, Plan of Procedure, Proposal, etc. are
turned in.
o Project summary is complete and turned in.
Project Evaluation

The Processing:
Project Procedure Outline
Material Estimate
Choice of Materials
Choice of Joinery
Overall Machine Usage (safety, knowledge, poise):
Hand tool Usage (safety, knowledge, poise):
Material Preparation

The Project:
Correct use of Materials
Joinery Fit
Measurement accuracy
Preparation for finish – sanding, chips, glue, etc.
Finishes – stain marks, runs and sags, skips
Rub out
Innovation
Overall impression

The Student:
Followed directions well
Followed safety procedures
Followed Proposal
Completion of Project
Project Proposal
Student Name: Woods Level:
Class Period: Start Date: Finish Date:

Name or Description of Project:

Source of Plans:
Wood Types Used:

Proposal:

New Challenges and Processes:

Tools to be used:
Hardware needed:

Estimated number of hours

........................................................................................................................
____________

Estimated cost of project

........................................................................................................................
$___________
(remember this may be adjusted because of changes or excessive waste)

_______________________________________________

____________
(Student Signature) (Date)

Proposal Accepted / Denied

_______________________________________________

____________
(Teacher Signature) (Date)

_______________________________________________

____________
(Parent Signature) (Date)
❑ Drawing ❑ Cut List ❑ Project Proposal Outline
❑ Calendar ❑ Timeline ❑ Proposal Completed
❑ Proposal Signed ❑ Down Payment
❑ Safety Testing ❑ Parent Forms ❑ Lab Fee Paid

Attach Drawing, Cut List, Project Procedure Outline, Calendar and Timeline on back.
Cut List, Project Procedure Outline, and Estimated Timeline on the next pages.

When filling out the calendar remember these things:

Do your calendar in pencil because you will be changing some dates through the
year.

We are only in class 50 minutes a day.

Subtract 5 minutes for clean-up
Subtract 5 minutes for Question of the Day
That means you only have about 40 minutes of work time per day.

Keep in mind that you will have “wait in line at the machine time”.

We will have a problem-solving unit again this year. It will probably begin in the
second quarter and run through the third quarter, or until we get done. This will take on
average one day a week. Usually Friday.

The days we do not have school are indicated on the calendar.

Allow at least two weeks to apply finish to your project.

Allow at least one week applying the hardware if you have doors and drawers.

If you get behind, remember that I am here by 7:30 nearly every day (usually here and
back from the mail room by 7:20) and will stay until at least 3:45 every day (usually
longer). This means you have time to glue and clamp, remove clamps and start scraping
glue, sand a drawer, etc. before and after school. Also remember that lunchtime is my
time to recharge the batteries for the afternoon classes. So no work at lunch.