The classroom is great for certain subjects, but there are plenty of lessons found in a not-so-typical setting.
One local school embraces that idea, and so does its students.
Corey Adkins shows us how they’re learning some lifelong lessons from logs in today’s Sightseeing in Northern Michigan.
This is the logs program at Kingsley High School.
You won’t find books, or desks or computers out here.
"We get here and class starts at 8:15 and then we gas and oil chainsaws," says Kingsley High School student Brandon.
Zack,another student in the class, says,"Put your chaps on, put your helmet on, glasses on, grab whatever you’re going to do for the day."
These students are building a log cabin from the start.
"We drop the trees down and that takes quite a few days."
To the finish.
"We usually sell them and then we go and set it up at whoever bought them at their house, and it takes probably a full year to build one cabin," explains Brandon.
But in that time, these students learn a lot.
"We learn a lot more about measuring, using the scribes. That’s something I didn’t know. A lot of stuff on chainsaws, how to use them better so they’re more capable of doing what they’re supposed to do," says Zack.
Brandon adds, "We’re learning teamwork and how to really work together, because the logs on the cabin takes at least three people."
But those are just some of the reasons Duane Wyse continues to teach this class, year after year.
"There’s not that many kids that are going to go on and be log home builders, but hopefully they’re all going to be productive and go into society and work, and so we try to really teach a work ethic, how to be a good worker, what’s going to keep you on the job," says Mr. Wyse.
Mr. Wyse says he sees the results.
"One things that’s nice about this program, too, because I’m outside and people are driving by all the time, I get my alumnus that stop by quite a bit and they tell me what they’re up to and stuff, and that makes me pretty proud."
And after a year’s worth of work, these students get to see what they’ve done, and help the program at the same time.
"We build all these cool log structures, and if you want to buy them they’re for sale, so when people buy them that helps us get new chainsaws, new tools, new everything."
"I have the best job in the school district, and it’s always great to be a stag out here."
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