MARTIN:

Isaiah, I really like what you're doing here. Where do you get the money for all this?

ISAIAH:

It doesn't take much money. The shop was part of this school. The school closed, but the city let us use the shop and the tools.

MARTIN:

How do you get new tools and equipment? 

ISAIAH:

We ask people for the things we need. We never buy anything.

MARTIN:

Like the wood that you get from the builder.

ISAIAH:

Yes, like that. We ask stores. Sometimes we ask people we know. We get some money from churches in the neighborhood. I am paid by the city.

MARTIN:

How is that?

ISAIAH:

I'm a teacher. I've been a teacher for ten years.

MARTIN:

Did they ask you to do this project?

ISAIAH:

No, I asked them. I started the project. I wanted to do this.

MARTIN:

That's wonderful.

ISAIAH:

First I told them what I wanted to do. Then I told them where I wanted to do it. Next I told them how much it would cost. They talked about it. Finally, they said OK.

MARTIN:

Let's talk to another person.

ISAIAH:

Here's Verra. She's new.

MARTIN:

Hi, Verra. I'm Martin Learner. It's my first time here. How long have you been here?

VERRA:

Two days.

MARTIN:

What are you making?

VERRA:

A box. Isaiah said it was the easiest thing. It's for my little sister.

MARTIN:

What for?

VERRA:

For her things. For her toys and things like that.

MARTIN:

How big is it going to be?

VERRA:

It's two and a half feet long. It's one foot wide and one foot deep.

ISAIAH:

Tell Martin how you did it.

VERRA:

It's not finished.

ISAIAH:

Tell him what you've done so far.

VERRA:

First I cut three pieces. These are the bottom and the two sides. Then I cut two square pieces. They're the ends of the box. That's all.

MARTIN:

What happens next? How will you finish it?

VERRA:

I'll fasten the bottom and sides together with screws. Next I'll put on the ends.

ISAIAH:

Are you going to paint it?

VERRA:

Can I?

ISAIAH:

Of course you can. Anyone can paint.

VERRA:

Then I'll paint it blue.

ISAIAH:

I think we can find blue paint.

MARTIN:

Your sister will like the box. How old is your sister?

VERRA:

She's five years old.

MARTIN:

Thanks for talking to me.

VERRA:

You're welcome.

MARTIN:

These young men and women are not in school.

ISAIAH:

That's right. They quit before they finished.

MARTIN:

What are they learning here then?

ISAIAH:

How to make something. How to take care of tools. How to work together. A lot of things.

MARTIN:

I want to come back and talk to you again.

ISAIAH:

When would you like to come back, Martin?

MARTIN:

Could I come back next week?

ISAIAH:

That would be fine. See you then.