Deck and Dock Upgrade: 9th Grade Shop Class Curriculum (Fall 2025)
Course Description (for College Admissions):
This course is a comprehensive, project-based learning experience in which the student independently plans and executes a full-scale upgrade of a residential deck and dock. Integrating principles from engineering, architecture, project management, and finance, the student is responsible for all phases of the project, including site analysis, CAD-based design, budgeting, procurement, construction, and formal presentation of results. The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, problem-solving, technical proficiency, and effective communication. The student documents progress through detailed logs and presents findings to an audience, demonstrating both subject mastery and the ability to synthesize and convey complex information. This course is designed to foster leadership, initiative, and real-world skills essential for success in higher education and beyond.
Overview
Student: John Hurff
Grade: 9th Grade (Fall Semester)
Class Duration: August 1, 2025 – December 15, 2025
Project: Upgrade of home deck and dock, Palmetto, FL
Main Coordinator: Jimmy Hurff (Father)
Academic Supervisor: Jessica Hurff (Mother)
Supporting Student: Jackson Hurff (Brother, unofficial)
Class Objectives
- Gain hands-on experience in executing a complex construction project
- Learn and apply skills in estimating, designing, planning, budgeting, and communication
- Develop proficiency with CAD software for design
- Practice project management and documentation
- Present project outcomes in a formal setting
Weekly Schedule
- Standing Session: Every Thursday, 8:00am–12:00pm EST (4 hours/session)
- Independent Work: Additional tasks assigned weekly
| Week | Date Range | Focus/Deliverables |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aug 1 – Aug 7 | Project kickoff, goals, initial assessment |
| 2 | Aug 8 – Aug 14 | Site analysis, measurements, research |
| 3 | Aug 15 – Aug 21 | Concept sketches, CAD intro |
| 4 | Aug 22 – Aug 28 | CAD design, requirements, feedback |
| 5 | Aug 29 – Sep 4 | Refine design, materials research |
| 6 | Sep 5 – Sep 11 | Budget estimation, project plan draft |
| 7 | Sep 12 – Sep 18 | Finalize design, finalize budget |
| 8 | Sep 19 – Sep 25 | Order materials, prep site |
| 9 | Sep 26 – Oct 2 | Begin construction, photo/journal log start |
| 10 | Oct 3 – Oct 9 | Construction, progress updates |
| 11 | Oct 10 – Oct 16 | Construction, budget tracking |
| 12 | Oct 17 – Oct 23 | Construction, mid-project review |
| 13 | Oct 24 – Oct 30 | Construction, troubleshooting |
| 14 | Oct 31 – Nov 6 | Construction, documentation |
| 15 | Nov 7 – Nov 13 | Construction, progress updates |
| 16 | Nov 14 – Nov 20 | Construction, budget review |
| 17 | Nov 21 – Nov 27 | Construction, photo/journal log |
| 18 | Nov 28 – Dec 4 | Final construction, prepare presentation |
| 19 | Dec 5 – Dec 11 | Final documentation, practice presentation |
| 20 | Dec 12 – Dec 15 | Formal presentation, project wrap-up |
Printable Course Calendar (Aug–Dec 2025)
Below is a printable, month-by-month calendar for the course. Each Thursday session (8:00am–12:00pm EST) is shown with a short, linked lesson title. Weeks start on Sunday and end on Saturday. For full lesson details, see the list below each month.
August 2025
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | |||||
| 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 Kickoff | 8 | 9 |
| 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 Site Analysis | 15 | 16 |
| 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 CAD Intro | 22 | 23 |
| 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 CAD Design | 29 | 30 |
| 31 |
August Sessions
- Aug 7 – Kickoff, Goals, Initial Assessment
Key Learning: Understanding project scope and expectations.
Exercise: Write a personal project goal and initial assessment of the deck/dock.
📋 Detailed Lesson Plan - Aug 14 – Site Analysis, Measurements, Research
Key Learning: Conducting a site survey and gathering requirements.
Exercise: Measure the deck/dock and research local building codes.
📋 Detailed Lesson Plan - Aug 21 – Concept Sketches, CAD Intro
Key Learning: Introduction to CAD tools and sketching concepts.
Exercise: Create a hand-drawn concept sketch and start a CAD model.
📋 Detailed Lesson Plan - Aug 28 – CAD Design, Requirements, Feedback
Key Learning: Translating sketches to CAD and gathering feedback.
Exercise: Build a basic CAD model and present for feedback.
📋 Detailed Lesson Plan
September 2025
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 Materials | 5 | 6 |
| 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 Budget Plan | 12 | 13 |
| 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 Finalize Design | 19 | 20 |
| 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 Order Materials | 26 | 27 |
| 28 | 29 | 30 |
September Sessions
- Sep 4 – Refine Design, Materials Research
Key Learning: Researching and selecting appropriate materials.
Exercise: Create a materials list and compare options.
📋 Detailed Lesson Plan - Sep 11 – Budget Estimation, Project Plan Draft
Key Learning: Estimating costs and drafting a project plan.
Exercise: Build a draft budget and Gantt chart.
📋 Detailed Lesson Plan - Sep 18 – Finalize Design, Finalize Budget
Key Learning: Integrating feedback and finalizing plans.
Exercise: Submit final CAD design and budget for review.
📋 Detailed Lesson Plan - Sep 25 – Order Materials, Prep Site
Key Learning: Procurement and site preparation.
Exercise: Place material orders and prepare the work site.
📋 Detailed Lesson Plan
October 2025
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 2 Start Build | 3 | 4 | ||
| 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 Progress | 10 | 11 |
| 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 Budget Tracking | 17 | 18 |
| 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 Mid-Review | 24 | 25 |
| 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 Troubleshoot | 31 |
October Sessions
- Oct 2 – Begin Construction, Photo/Journal Log Start
Key Learning: Safe construction practices and documentation.
Exercise: Start construction and begin photo/journal log.
📋 Detailed Lesson Plan - Oct 9 – Construction, Progress Updates
Key Learning: Tracking progress and adapting plans.
Exercise: Update project log and adjust schedule as needed.
📋 Detailed Lesson Plan - Oct 16 – Construction, Budget Tracking
Key Learning: Monitoring expenses and staying on budget.
Exercise: Update budget tracker and review costs.
📋 Detailed Lesson Plan - Oct 23 – Construction, Mid-Project Review
Key Learning: Conducting a mid-project review.
Exercise: Present progress and receive feedback.
📋 Detailed Lesson Plan - Oct 30 – Construction, Troubleshooting
Key Learning: Identifying and solving construction issues.
Exercise: Document and resolve a construction challenge.
📋 Detailed Lesson Plan
November 2025
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 Documentation | 7 | 8 | ||||
| 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 Progress | 14 | 15 |
| 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 Budget Review | 21 | 22 |
| 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 Photo Log | 28 | 29 |
| 30 |
November Sessions
- Nov 6 – Construction, Documentation
Key Learning: Documenting construction progress.
Exercise: Update photo and journal logs.
📋 Detailed Lesson Plan - Nov 13 – Construction, Progress Updates
Key Learning: Communicating progress and next steps.
Exercise: Prepare a progress update for review.
📋 Detailed Lesson Plan - Nov 20 – Construction, Budget Review
Key Learning: Reviewing budget and making adjustments.
Exercise: Compare actual vs. estimated costs and adjust plan.
📋 Detailed Lesson Plan - Nov 27 – Construction, Photo/Journal Log
Key Learning: Reflecting on project documentation.
Exercise: Complete and organize all logs to date.
📋 Detailed Lesson Plan
December 2025
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 Final Build | 5 | 6 |
| 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 Practice Pres. | 12 | 13 |
| 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 |
| 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 |
| 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 |
December Sessions
- Dec 4 – Final Construction, Prepare Presentation
Key Learning: Completing construction and preparing to present.
Exercise: Finish all construction tasks and outline presentation.
📋 Detailed Lesson Plan - Dec 11 – Final Documentation, Practice Presentation
Key Learning: Synthesizing project documentation and practicing delivery.
Exercise: Finalize all documentation and rehearse the presentation.
📋 Detailed Lesson Plan
Each Thursday session is 8:00am–12:00pm EST. Print this section for a physical planner or reference.
Major Deliverables & Grading
| Deliverable | Weight (%) | Due Date |
|---|---|---|
| Project Proposal & Initial Plan | 10 | Aug 14 |
| CAD Design & Requirements | 15 | Sep 11 |
| Project Plan & Budget | 15 | Sep 18 |
| Mid-Project Progress Review | 10 | Oct 23 |
| Photo & Journal Log (ongoing) | 10 | Dec 11 |
| Budget vs. Actual Report | 10 | Dec 11 |
| Final Project Execution | 20 | Dec 11 |
| Formal Presentation | 10 | Dec 15 |
Grading Scale: Standard A–F
Roles & Responsibilities
- John Hurff: Lead student, responsible for all deliverables, documentation, and presentation
- Jimmy Hurff: Main project coordinator, mentor, assists with planning and execution
- Jessica Hurff: Academic supervisor, ensures academic standards and progress
- Jackson Hurff: Supporting student, assists as needed (unofficial)
Tools & Skills
- CAD software (TinkerCAD, SketchUp, or similar)
- Project management (Gantt chart, task lists)
- Budgeting (spreadsheets)
- Construction tools and safety
- Documentation (photo log, journal)
- Presentation skills (slides, speaking)
Documentation & Logs
- Photo Log: Weekly photo updates of progress
- Journal Log: Weekly written reflections and notes
- Project Plan: Living document, updated as needed
- Budget Tracker: Compare estimated vs. actual costs
Final Presentation
- Summarize project goals, process, challenges, and outcomes
- Present CAD designs, photos, and budget analysis
- Reflect on lessons learned and skills gained
- Audience: Family, possible invited guests
Success Criteria
- Completion of all deliverables on time
- Demonstrated learning in design, planning, budgeting, and execution
- Quality and safety of finished deck and dock
- Clear, organized final presentation