SparklyUnicorn Posted June 20, 2017 Share Posted June 20, 2017 DS (15) has recently become obsessed with learning how to pick locks. I know, of all things. So he asked me to get him a basic set of lock smith tools. He watches videos and reads stuff on-line. I'm trying to come up with some sort of elective for next year (to put on the homeschool paperwork for the district). Would intro to locksmithing be too weird? I was thinking maybe once a month he could give a small demonstration with presentation of skills learned. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dsmith Posted June 20, 2017 Share Posted June 20, 2017 Actually I think that sounds like a cool idea! 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alicia64 Posted June 20, 2017 Share Posted June 20, 2017 Me too -- super cool. That's one of the best things about homeschooling. . . we really don't have to follow traditional schools on "what's important." Trust me, lock picks have saved my bacon many times. You might even call a locksmith for ideas on videos, curriculum and so forth. Maybe even an apprenticeship. Alley 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pistachio mom Posted June 20, 2017 Share Posted June 20, 2017 I agree with the comments above. Lockpicking sounds like a fascinating skill! Useful too, it just might develop into a small business..... You can help your student add in an academic component more specific than the interest led learning he is doing. Whether it be writing some papers, going through an e-course, or just keeping a log of what he explores. You might want to check out Lee Binz' Delight Directed Learning ebook on Amazon. Sometimes she gives free downloads at the beginning of the month to various titles. This book would help you word a course description and give you ideas. http://www.ebooksdownloads.xyz/search/delight-directed-learning -- this is the first time I have seen this particular website. I usually download from Amazon when she has free stuff. https://www.amazon.com/Delight-Directed-Learning-Homeschooler-Passionate/dp/150898767X/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1497972134&sr=8-14&keywords=lee+binz https://homehighschoolhelp.com/delight-directed-learning Just out of curiosity, I did a quick search for course descriptions - so much came up. You have probably already done this, but here is a link to just one of the many that might be worth reading for ideas. http://www.ce.ucf.edu/FileRepository/Docs/HomeInspection/Locksmith%20Course%20Description.pdf I have a 3rd grade Tinkerbell who might be very interested in this when she is old enough :) 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 20, 2017 Share Posted June 20, 2017 Sounds fun. My sons have enjoyed museum exhibits on lock mechanisms. You could flesh it out with coding, probability, and gears. . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
midori Posted June 20, 2017 Share Posted June 20, 2017 I remember browsing through a nearby university's Continuing Education program, and seeing Basic Locksmithing classes offered. I thought that was really cool. You might see if there's anything like that near you that you can sign up for credit, in case he wants to go further with getting a certification for a skillset to have in his back pocket. You might check your local state laws to see what the requirements are for a locksmithing license in your state. This, for example, is what is necessary in Texas. When he's old enough to get a part-time job, if he could get his foot in the door with a skilled trade, he can earn much better money than what most high school students earn, whether he wants to save up for college to study something else, or whether he decides he likes it enough to make a career out of it. So it would be good to structure your class so that he's able to use it for a solid platform for when he's 16, 17, or 18, if he decides he has an affinity for it, and prefers it to flipping burgers or mowing grass. :) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted June 20, 2017 Author Share Posted June 20, 2017 I remember browsing through a nearby university's Continuing Education program, and seeing Basic Locksmithing classes offered. I thought that was really cool. You might see if there's anything like that near you that you can sign up for credit, in case he wants to go further with getting a certification for a skillset to have in his back pocket. You might check your local state laws to see what the requirements are for a locksmithing license in your state. This, for example, is what is necessary in Texas. When he's old enough to get a part-time job, if he could get his foot in the door with a skilled trade, he can earn much better money than what most high school students earn, whether he wants to save up for college to study something else, or whether he decides he likes it enough to make a career out of it. So it would be good to structure your class so that he's able to use it for a solid platform for when he's 16, 17, or 18, if he decides he has an affinity for it, and prefers it to flipping burgers or mowing grass. :) I'd love to find something like this. Anything I've seen on-line (but not in my area) has been rather expensive though. More than I'd want to spend on an elective course! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daijobu Posted June 20, 2017 Share Posted June 20, 2017 Field trip idea: local bank at 2am! 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
midori Posted June 21, 2017 Share Posted June 21, 2017 In the meantime, you might see how far you can get with a site like Locksmithschool4U. It has some paid packages, but also has a respectable number of free online video tutorials. If you want to get some tools, you can look at what's included in several of the paid packages: practice locks, lock pick sets, rekeying toolkits, cutaway locks, etc. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happypamama Posted June 21, 2017 Share Posted June 21, 2017 That sounds so cool! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itsheresomewhere Posted June 21, 2017 Share Posted June 21, 2017 We did it as an elective this year. DH taught it and DS really enjoyed it. I bought a kit out of Canada that was recommended and some old locks. DH and DS have been able to do some neat things including re-keying a new ignition key cylinder for one of the vehicles. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renai Posted June 21, 2017 Share Posted June 21, 2017 There was someone on this forum whose son was interested in locksmithing. I remember him beginning to study it, was able to apprentice with someone, and I believe an update said he was going into business. I don't remember who the member was, but it was a couple of years back and the member was asking if it was a viable trade to get into or something like that. Maybe a search would bring it up. I only mention it to say, that yes, it is a viable elective. :D 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renai Posted June 21, 2017 Share Posted June 21, 2017 I found the thread. It was actually started in 2011, and after a couple of zombie resurrections, the original poster updated just last year. http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/262485-what-is-the-future-of-locksmithing/?hl=lock&do=findComment&comment=7259247 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted June 21, 2017 Author Share Posted June 21, 2017 Field trip idea: local bank at 2am! Yeah and maybe we'll hit up some govt. offices and I can count that as civics. :laugh: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted June 21, 2017 Author Share Posted June 21, 2017 We did it as an elective this year. DH taught it and DS really enjoyed it. I bought a kit out of Canada that was recommended and some old locks. DH and DS have been able to do some neat things including re-keying a new ignition key cylinder for one of the vehicles. Maybe we ordered from the same company. I bought a kit from a Canadian company yesterday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itsheresomewhere Posted June 21, 2017 Share Posted June 21, 2017 Maybe we ordered from the same company. I bought a kit from a Canadian company yesterday. I bet we did. I little bit more than others but very good quality. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lakeside Posted September 1, 2017 Share Posted September 1, 2017 We did it as an elective this year. DH taught it and DS really enjoyed it. I bought a kit out of Canada that was recommended and some old locks. DH and DS have been able to do some neat things including re-keying a new ignition key cylinder for one of the vehicles. This sounds interesting. Would you be willing to share more about how your husband taught it and where you got the kit? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lakeside Posted September 1, 2017 Share Posted September 1, 2017 Maybe we ordered from the same company. I bought a kit from a Canadian company yesterday. Sparkly, has your son liked the kit you bought? Have you decided to use this as an elective? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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