2/20/12

Building a house with High School kids!

 Hi Friends,
     This is the 12th year my husband Dan's high school building construction II class has built a home.
This is a year long project that get's started even before the school year begins.  Our high school has block scheduling so that his classes are able to work on the home about one hour/day.  The periods are 85 minutes but the students must travel to the site and roll call taken.  I think it's really amazing what my hubby and his students are able to achieve in that short of time each day.
     This years home is being built right on the river!!
The view is amazing, you can see a glimpse of it in the picture above taken last fall.
It's kind of cool to see the season's change as the work on the house progresses.



Here the students are framing basement walls. The river is in the background.



The students install the roof trusses by hand, without the help of a crane or any kind of lift.

Students lift a wall in place. It's nice to have so many hands when the heavy work takes place.


A view of the house without students present. Once again the beautiful river is visible in the background.



Everyone has a task during truss installation.

This is a boyfriend and girlfriend that both took his class. They are shown installing roofing felt before shingling. They work really well together and are on the same team.



Getting a start on the shingling. This lot is very sloped which increases the difficulty with using ladders and scaffolding.

Students install the roof sheathing.



This will be the main entry for the house. It is also a covered porch which will be a nice place to sit and relax.

This long covered porch overlooks the river and faces south. What a wonderful place to sunbath and look at the sights on the river.


The side that faces the river has huge windows and the covered porch that was shown in the previous picture.
Shingling is almost done, the basement stairs are being installed and window's are coming in about two weeks.
Stay tuned for further pictures and updates as the home progresses!
And a few more facts.....The homes are always financed by the owners.  They must have a lot that is within 3 miles of the high school, they save on average $50,000 plus on labor.
The fee to the school is about $5000.  This covers tool replacement etc.
Cindy

I am joining Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch for Met. Monday.
Beth @ A to Z for Tips and Tutorials

Open House Party @ No Minimalist Here



31 comments:

  1. Thats amazing! What a great project and learning lesson for these kids. How is this funded and what do they do with the homes?

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  2. So talented - the kids AND your husband! Thanks for sharing...

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  3. That's really neat to see kids learn skills like building. I think they're learning something very valuable including hard work.

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  4. I'm loving the lot.

    I'm loving the house.

    I'm loving the house on the lot!!!

    They are PERFECT together.

    I'd love to have that river in my back yard.

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  5. That is going to be one beautiful house. I love this program in school, my son excelled at it and even got scholorships in it. It is so good for young people who would like to get more of this type of education. Yay for your good husband. :D

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  6. WOW! I continue to be so impressed at the level of skill these students are learning from your husband! And how gratifying for him, as a teacher to know that he has empowered these students in a possible career option... AND that he has 12 homes throughout Jackson County that he built! You must be so proud of him Cindy! GO DAN!

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  7. Wow! Looking forward to seeing the finished home. This is a great experience for the students.

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  8. This is so awesome...I wish we had something like that back when I went to highschool, I would have loved learning to do that! I can't wait to see the finished house!

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  9. About all I can say is "WOW"! Amazing. What a feeling accomplishment these young men and women must feel. Your husband is amazing too. So impressive.
    Karen
    Ladybug Creek

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  10. Wow, girl this is great. Our Vo~Tech does the same thing here. The house gets a little bigger each year.

    Kudos to your fine Hubs as he plants seeds in those young hearts.

    God bless and have a wonderful week sweetie!!! :o)

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  11. Excellent work led by a great teacher. Can't wait to see more.♥♫

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  12. Wow! This is amazing! Please post pictures as the house progresses! Cant wait to see the finished product!

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  13. Looks like a beautiful house in a wonderful location!
    God bless, Beth

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  14. Hi Cindy.....and the houses just keep getting bigger...this is such a wonderful thing that these kids do....your husband must be very proud...

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  15. HI!!
    THIS IS AMAZING!!!
    GREAT thing for kids to do and learn a skill too!!!THIS HOME IS AMAZING!!!!Love the river right by it!!!WOW , what a view!!!I cannot believe they work out in the SNOW!!!!MUst be cold!!!!!
    DOes that river freeze?????
    I guess if it is a river, moving laong, it does not freeze, right????
    Love those pics!!!Lucky home owner!!!
    hugs,
    jamie

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  16. It's truly amazing how Dan can build a house and teach students how to do it. I can already tell how beautiful it is going to be. I like how the land slopes, makes it more interesting and what a view! Does the house belong to someone?...Christine

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  17. Wow, Cindy! That is fantastic! As a retired teacher, I especially appreciate Dan's efforts in working with the kids. They have learned so much, and they must have a wonderful sense of accomplishment. Linda

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  18. WOW what a wonderful thing to do. Wished we lived close by we could have them come over and put a new roof on our home. HA! HA!

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  19. Wow! This is some house, not exactly what I would expect students to build! I can't wait to see the finished pictures and wouldn't that view be wonderful.

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  20. This is so wonderful, Cindy! These kids can learn a lifelong lesson on how to build a house and what it entails. You can learn so much more by doing than just by reading it in a book. Looking forward to seeing more pictures as it progresses.

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  21. Oh Cindy, this is totally amazing. The kids do an unreal job and your DH really does teach them a life lesson. Can't wait to see more. Hugs, Marty

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  22. Great project, wonderful learning opportunity for the students! Rewarding for all~

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  23. This is such a great way for children to learn, on the job train. It has to give them such confidence to find work knowing they KNOW something. Patrick (you know who I'm talking about) taught in the Regional Occupational Program here in Riverside, CA. Do they have a program like that for landscaping, etc. I wish when I was in high school they had had something a little more than Home Ec. Something that really taught you HOW to run a household, budgeting, and everything it takes to make a house a home. I learned to make Mac and Cheese. :):)
    Fantastic program!! Good for your husband.

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  24. Cindy, I am always amazed by these houses that he and his students build. This one looks wonderful, and that location is beautiful. Life lessons are being taught with these projects, and I'm sure not all the lessons are about carpentry. What a wonderful experience for them. laurie

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  25. Wow, this is amazing. There is so much bad press about teenagers these days. This proves that yes, another great generation is coming up. I found your wonderful blog through a comment you left on Lilac Lane Cottage.
    Laura
    http://www.imsovintage.blogspot.com/

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  26. What a beautiful place for a house and what a wonderful experience for these students. I'm sure they will take away many skills as well as life-lessons from this experience. Koodos to your hubby!

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  27. Awesome! What great skills to have.

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  28. I remember this from the last few years. It is wonderful to see such a great project!

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  29. What a wonderful experience all around!

    I can't wait to see you soon. :)

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  30. IN.credible! And something to be very proud of!

    Sharon @ mrs. hines class

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  31. Oh this is awesome! LOVE the progression and the location and the builders for THAT matter! BRAVO!

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Welcome,
I would love to hear from you. Come back and visit anytime. Warmest Wishes, Cindy