Wonders Within Wood: Carving and Design

In this curriculum guide, we take time to think about the many different life skills and goals we can help youth achieve while focusing on a traditional art form like green wood carving.
Class Subjects

Themes

Research Topics

Supplies

This curriculum guide includes worksheets and graphic organizers ready to download for educational use. To complete the activities, you will need the following supplies:

Section 1: -Playdough -Pencil for drawing-Rocks--see activity before gathering

Section 2:-Perler beads in three colors -Masking tape-Parchment paper-Clothing iron -Tweezers (optional)

Section 3:-Carving knife-Green wood sticks ~3/8" diameter-Bamboo skewers

Please note that all of the sections have an outdoor component, where the youth are invited to head out and explore. They will need to find green wood and dry wood to carry out their experiments.

 

Acknowledgements

This curriculum packet was made possible through the 2025-26 Madison, WI Culture, Community, and the Classroom program, in partnership with UW-Madison’s Center for the Study of Upper Midwestern Cultures and Wisconsin 4-H (UW-Madison Division of Extension Positive Youth Development Institute). 

It was written and produced By: Derek Brabender, Artisan Green Woodworker, Green Wood Spoons and Emery Bork, Vernon County Senior 4-H Educator

In this curriculum guide, we take time to think about the many different life skills and goals we can help youth achieve while focusing on a traditional art form like green wood carving. Specifically, there will be opportunities to look into the past, connect with others who enjoy carving, and think artistically about green wood.

Learning Objectives

  • Explore several historical and cultural wood carving traditions.
  • Compare and contrast early wood carving practices with those of today.
  • Investigate the difference between green wood and dry wood.
  • Practice selecting and harvesting sticks for carving.
  • Gain basic carving skills and create a wooden flower.

View Curriculum Packet