Scope and sequence · Practical
Shop & Trades
A high-school year in how things are fastened, glued, built, wired, heated, cooled, welded, printed and kept running: the science behind each trade, the homeowner’s and car owner’s skills to do the basic jobs safely, and a fair look at the skilled trades as a calling.
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What to cover
38 of 50 lessons are MUST COVER. They are tested on the unit tests and exams, or are skills the SAT/ACT relies on. OPTIONAL lessons are enrichment. Do them if time allows. The course is complete when the MUST COVER lessons are done.
Unit 1: The Science of Attaching: Screws, Bolts and Fasteners
- MUST COVER 1.1 The Screw: From Archimedes to Maudslay’s Lathe · exam
- OPTIONAL 1.2 Screws versus Bolts: Thread Anatomy and Standards
- MUST COVER 1.3 Torque, Preload and Clamp Force · exam
- MUST COVER 1.4 Bolt Grades, Strength and Failure · exam
- MUST COVER 1.5 Nails, Rivets, Pins and Choosing a Fastener · exam
Unit 2: Adhesives: The Chemistry of Sticking
- MUST COVER 2.1 How Glue Works · exam
- OPTIONAL 2.2 Wood Glues: Hide Glue to PVA
- MUST COVER 2.3 Epoxy and Two-Part Chemistry · exam
- MUST COVER 2.4 Super Glue, Hot Melt, Contact Cement and Construction Adhesives · exam
- MUST COVER 2.5 Choosing the Joint: Glue, Fasteners or Both · exam
Unit 3: Woodworking
- MUST COVER 3.1 Wood as a Material: Cells, Grain and Movement · exam
- MUST COVER 3.2 Measuring, Marking and Hand Tools · exam
- MUST COVER 3.3 Power Tools and Shop Safety · exam
- MUST COVER 3.4 Joinery: Fitly Joined Together · exam
- MUST COVER 3.5 Finishing and a Finished Piece: The Step Stool · exam
Unit 4: Home Construction
- MUST COVER 4.1 Foundations: Building upon the Rock · exam
- MUST COVER 4.2 Framing: From the Balloon Frame to the Platform · exam
- MUST COVER 4.3 Roofs and the Building Envelope: Shedding Water · exam
- MUST COVER 4.4 Insulation, Air and Moisture · exam
- MUST COVER 4.5 Plumbing, Drywall, Codes and Permits · exam
Unit 5: Basic Home Electrical
- MUST COVER 5.1 From Power Plant to Panel · exam
- MUST COVER 5.2 Circuits, Wire and Breakers · exam
- MUST COVER 5.3 Shock, Grounding, GFCI and AFCI · exam
- MUST COVER 5.4 Working Safely: Switches and Receptacles · exam
- OPTIONAL 5.5 Lighting, Codes and When to Call an Electrician
Unit 6: HVAC: Heating, Cooling and Air
- OPTIONAL 6.1 Heat, Humidity and Comfort
- OPTIONAL 6.2 Furnaces, Boilers and Combustion Safety
- MUST COVER 6.3 The Refrigeration Cycle · exam
- MUST COVER 6.4 Heat Pumps and Efficiency · exam
- MUST COVER 6.5 Air Flow, Ducts, Filters and Maintenance · exam
Unit 7: Welding: Science and Uses
- OPTIONAL 7.1 Joining Metal: Forge Welding to the Electric Arc
- MUST COVER 7.2 The Science of the Arc and the Weld Pool · exam
- MUST COVER 7.3 Welding Processes: Stick, MIG, Flux-Core, TIG, Oxy-Fuel and Spot · exam
- MUST COVER 7.4 Joints, Strength, Distortion and Defects · exam
- MUST COVER 7.5 Welding Safety, Uses and Careers · exam
Unit 8: 3D Printing
- OPTIONAL 8.1 From Stereolithography to RepRap: How 3D Printing Began
- MUST COVER 8.2 How an FDM Printer Works · exam
- OPTIONAL 8.3 From CAD to Slicer
- MUST COVER 8.4 Designing for Printing: Strength and Tolerances · exam
- MUST COVER 8.5 Materials and Real-World Uses · exam
Unit 9: Small Engines
- MUST COVER 9.1 The Four-Stroke Cycle · exam
- OPTIONAL 9.2 Two-Stroke Engines
- OPTIONAL 9.3 Fuel, Air and the Carburetor
- MUST COVER 9.4 Ignition, Compression and the Governor · exam
- MUST COVER 9.5 Maintenance and Troubleshooting · exam
Unit 10: Auto Mechanics
- OPTIONAL 10.1 How a Car Works: From the Model T to Today
- OPTIONAL 10.2 The Engine and Its Fluids
- MUST COVER 10.3 Brakes, Tires and Steering · exam
- MUST COVER 10.4 The Electrical System and Diagnostics · exam
- MUST COVER 10.5 Routine Maintenance and Roadside Skills · exam
36-week pacing calendar
From the course’s own 33-week pacing guide, with catch-up and review weeks added to fill a 36-week (180-day) year.
| Week | Plan | Done | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wk 1 | Day 1: Lesson 1.1 The Screw: From Archimedes to Maudslay’s Lathe: video, teaching and worked examples Day 2: Lesson 1.1: shop project and notebook Day 3: Lesson 1.1: practice set and corrections Day 4: Lesson 1.2 Screws versus Bolts: Thread Anatomy and Standards: video, teaching and worked examples Day 5: Lesson 1.2: shop project and notebook | ||
| Wk 2 | Day 1: Lesson 1.2: practice set and corrections Day 2: Lesson 1.3 Torque, Preload and Clamp Force: video, teaching and worked examples Day 3: Lesson 1.3: shop project and notebook Day 4: Lesson 1.3: practice set and corrections Day 5: Lesson 1.4 Bolt Grades, Strength and Failure: video, teaching and worked examples | ||
| Wk 3 | Day 1: Lesson 1.4: shop project and notebook Day 2: Lesson 1.4: practice set and corrections Day 3: Lesson 1.5 Nails, Rivets, Pins and Choosing a Fastener: video, teaching and worked examples Day 4: Lesson 1.5: shop project and notebook Day 5: Lesson 1.5: practice set and corrections | ||
| Wk 4 | Day 1: Unit 1 test Day 2: Lesson 2.1 How Glue Works: video, teaching and worked examples Day 3: Lesson 2.1: shop project and notebook Day 4: Lesson 2.1: practice set and corrections Day 5: Lesson 2.2 Wood Glues: Hide Glue to PVA: video, teaching and worked examples | ||
| Wk 5 | Day 1: Lesson 2.2: shop project and notebook Day 2: Lesson 2.2: practice set and corrections Day 3: Lesson 2.3 Epoxy and Two-Part Chemistry: video, teaching and worked examples Day 4: Lesson 2.3: shop project and notebook Day 5: Lesson 2.3: practice set and corrections | ||
| Wk 6 | Day 1: Lesson 2.4 Super Glue, Hot Melt, Contact Cement and Construction Adhesives: video, teaching and worked examples Day 2: Lesson 2.4: shop project and notebook Day 3: Lesson 2.4: practice set and corrections Day 4: Lesson 2.5 Choosing the Joint: Glue, Fasteners or Both: video, teaching and worked examples Day 5: Lesson 2.5: shop project and notebook | ||
| Wk 7 | Day 1: Lesson 2.5: practice set and corrections Day 2: Unit 2 test Day 3: Lesson 3.1 Wood as a Material: Cells, Grain and Movement: video, teaching and worked examples Day 4: Lesson 3.1: shop project and notebook Day 5: Lesson 3.1: practice set and corrections | ||
| Wk 8 | Day 1: Lesson 3.2 Measuring, Marking and Hand Tools: video, teaching and worked examples Day 2: Lesson 3.2: shop project and notebook Day 3: Lesson 3.2: practice set and corrections Day 4: Lesson 3.3 Power Tools and Shop Safety: video, teaching and worked examples Day 5: Lesson 3.3: shop project and notebook | ||
| Wk 9 | Day 1: Lesson 3.3: practice set and corrections Day 2: Lesson 3.4 Joinery: Fitly Joined Together: video, teaching and worked examples Day 3: Lesson 3.4: shop project and notebook Day 4: Lesson 3.4: practice set and corrections Day 5: Lesson 3.5 Finishing and a Finished Piece: The Step Stool: video, teaching and worked examples | ||
| Wk 10 | Day 1: Lesson 3.5: shop project and notebook Day 2: Lesson 3.5: practice set and corrections Day 3: Unit 3 test Day 4: Lesson 4.1 Foundations: Building upon the Rock: video, teaching and worked examples Day 5: Lesson 4.1: shop project and notebook | ||
| Wk 11 | Day 1: Lesson 4.1: practice set and corrections Day 2: Lesson 4.2 Framing: From the Balloon Frame to the Platform: video, teaching and worked examples Day 3: Lesson 4.2: shop project and notebook Day 4: Lesson 4.2: practice set and corrections Day 5: Lesson 4.3 Roofs and the Building Envelope: Shedding Water: video, teaching and worked examples | ||
| Wk 12 | Day 1: Lesson 4.3: shop project and notebook Day 2: Lesson 4.3: practice set and corrections Day 3: Lesson 4.4 Insulation, Air and Moisture: video, teaching and worked examples Day 4: Lesson 4.4: shop project and notebook Day 5: Lesson 4.4: practice set and corrections | ||
| Wk 13 | Day 1: Lesson 4.5 Plumbing, Drywall, Codes and Permits: video, teaching and worked examples Day 2: Lesson 4.5: shop project and notebook Day 3: Lesson 4.5: practice set and corrections Day 4: Unit 4 test Day 5: Lesson 5.1 From Power Plant to Panel: video, teaching and worked examples | ||
| Wk 14 | Day 1: Lesson 5.1: shop project and notebook Day 2: Lesson 5.1: practice set and corrections Day 3: Lesson 5.2 Circuits, Wire and Breakers: video, teaching and worked examples Day 4: Lesson 5.2: shop project and notebook Day 5: Lesson 5.2: practice set and corrections | ||
| Wk 15 | Day 1: Lesson 5.3 Shock, Grounding, GFCI and AFCI: video, teaching and worked examples Day 2: Lesson 5.3: shop project and notebook Day 3: Lesson 5.3: practice set and corrections Day 4: Lesson 5.4 Working Safely: Switches and Receptacles: video, teaching and worked examples Day 5: Lesson 5.4: shop project and notebook | ||
| Wk 16 | Day 1: Lesson 5.4: practice set and corrections Day 2: Lesson 5.5 Lighting, Codes and When to Call an Electrician: video, teaching and worked examples Day 3: Lesson 5.5: shop project and notebook Day 4: Lesson 5.5: practice set and corrections Day 5: Unit 5 test | ||
| Wk 17 | Catch-up and review week (no new lessons) | ||
| Wk 18 | Day 1: Review day for the midterm Day 2: Midterm exam Day 3: Lesson 6.1 Heat, Humidity and Comfort: video, teaching and worked examples Day 4: Lesson 6.1: shop project and notebook Day 5: Lesson 6.1: practice set and corrections | ||
| Wk 19 | Day 1: Lesson 6.2 Furnaces, Boilers and Combustion Safety: video, teaching and worked examples Day 2: Lesson 6.2: shop project and notebook Day 3: Lesson 6.2: practice set and corrections Day 4: Lesson 6.3 The Refrigeration Cycle: video, teaching and worked examples Day 5: Lesson 6.3: shop project and notebook | ||
| Wk 20 | Day 1: Lesson 6.3: practice set and corrections Day 2: Lesson 6.4 Heat Pumps and Efficiency: video, teaching and worked examples Day 3: Lesson 6.4: shop project and notebook Day 4: Lesson 6.4: practice set and corrections Day 5: Lesson 6.5 Air Flow, Ducts, Filters and Maintenance: video, teaching and worked examples | ||
| Wk 21 | Day 1: Lesson 6.5: shop project and notebook Day 2: Lesson 6.5: practice set and corrections Day 3: Unit 6 test Day 4: Lesson 7.1 Joining Metal: Forge Welding to the Electric Arc: video, teaching and worked examples Day 5: Lesson 7.1: shop project and notebook | ||
| Wk 22 | Day 1: Lesson 7.1: practice set and corrections Day 2: Lesson 7.2 The Science of the Arc and the Weld Pool: video, teaching and worked examples Day 3: Lesson 7.2: shop project and notebook Day 4: Lesson 7.2: practice set and corrections Day 5: Lesson 7.3 Welding Processes: Stick, MIG, Flux-Core, TIG, Oxy-Fuel and Spot: video, teaching and worked examples | ||
| Wk 23 | Day 1: Lesson 7.3: shop project and notebook Day 2: Lesson 7.3: practice set and corrections Day 3: Lesson 7.4 Joints, Strength, Distortion and Defects: video, teaching and worked examples Day 4: Lesson 7.4: shop project and notebook Day 5: Lesson 7.4: practice set and corrections | ||
| Wk 24 | Day 1: Lesson 7.5 Welding Safety, Uses and Careers: video, teaching and worked examples Day 2: Lesson 7.5: shop project and notebook Day 3: Lesson 7.5: practice set and corrections Day 4: Unit 7 test Day 5: Lesson 8.1 From Stereolithography to RepRap: How 3D Printing Began: video, teaching and worked examples | ||
| Wk 25 | Day 1: Lesson 8.1: shop project and notebook Day 2: Lesson 8.1: practice set and corrections Day 3: Lesson 8.2 How an FDM Printer Works: video, teaching and worked examples Day 4: Lesson 8.2: shop project and notebook Day 5: Lesson 8.2: practice set and corrections | ||
| Wk 26 | Day 1: Lesson 8.3 From CAD to Slicer: video, teaching and worked examples Day 2: Lesson 8.3: shop project and notebook Day 3: Lesson 8.3: practice set and corrections Day 4: Lesson 8.4 Designing for Printing: Strength and Tolerances: video, teaching and worked examples Day 5: Lesson 8.4: shop project and notebook | ||
| Wk 27 | Day 1: Lesson 8.4: practice set and corrections Day 2: Lesson 8.5 Materials and Real-World Uses: video, teaching and worked examples Day 3: Lesson 8.5: shop project and notebook Day 4: Lesson 8.5: practice set and corrections Day 5: Unit 8 test | ||
| Wk 28 | Day 1: Lesson 9.1 The Four-Stroke Cycle: video, teaching and worked examples Day 2: Lesson 9.1: shop project and notebook Day 3: Lesson 9.1: practice set and corrections Day 4: Lesson 9.2 Two-Stroke Engines: video, teaching and worked examples Day 5: Lesson 9.2: shop project and notebook | ||
| Wk 29 | Day 1: Lesson 9.2: practice set and corrections Day 2: Lesson 9.3 Fuel, Air and the Carburetor: video, teaching and worked examples Day 3: Lesson 9.3: shop project and notebook Day 4: Lesson 9.3: practice set and corrections Day 5: Lesson 9.4 Ignition, Compression and the Governor: video, teaching and worked examples | ||
| Wk 30 | Day 1: Lesson 9.4: shop project and notebook Day 2: Lesson 9.4: practice set and corrections Day 3: Lesson 9.5 Maintenance and Troubleshooting: video, teaching and worked examples Day 4: Lesson 9.5: shop project and notebook Day 5: Lesson 9.5: practice set and corrections | ||
| Wk 31 | Day 1: Unit 9 test Day 2: Lesson 10.1 How a Car Works: From the Model T to Today: video, teaching and worked examples Day 3: Lesson 10.1: shop project and notebook Day 4: Lesson 10.1: practice set and corrections Day 5: Lesson 10.2 The Engine and Its Fluids: video, teaching and worked examples | ||
| Wk 32 | Day 1: Lesson 10.2: shop project and notebook Day 2: Lesson 10.2: practice set and corrections Day 3: Lesson 10.3 Brakes, Tires and Steering: video, teaching and worked examples Day 4: Lesson 10.3: shop project and notebook Day 5: Lesson 10.3: practice set and corrections | ||
| Wk 33 | Day 1: Lesson 10.4 The Electrical System and Diagnostics: video, teaching and worked examples Day 2: Lesson 10.4: shop project and notebook Day 3: Lesson 10.4: practice set and corrections Day 4: Lesson 10.5 Routine Maintenance and Roadside Skills: video, teaching and worked examples Day 5: Lesson 10.5: shop project and notebook | ||
| Wk 34 | Day 1: Lesson 10.5: practice set and corrections Day 2: Unit 10 test Day 3: Review day for the final Day 4: Final exam | ||
| Wk 35 | Catch-up week: finish any MUST COVER lesson not yet done | ||
| Wk 36 | Year-end review, portfolio and records |
Grading: Practice sets and corrections 15%, Shop projects (safe practice, measurement, finished work) 25%, Shop notebook 10%, Unit tests 30%, Midterm exam 10%, Final exam 10%. Scale: A 90–100, B 80–89, C 70–79, D 60–69. Below 60: review and retake the test or redo the project with help.