Trade Lesson Plan for Glass and Aluminium

What a good one includes

• Clear learning objectives focusing on specific fabrication and installation competencies, such as calculating glass deductions or assembling storefront frames.
• A comprehensive tool and material checklist that includes specialized gear like glass suction cups, glazing shovels, sealant guns, and specific aluminium extrusions.
• Step-by-step instructional procedures detailing the sequence of preparing openings, setting blocks, installing gaskets, and applying perimeter sealants.
• Dedicated safety protocols highlighting Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) requirements, safe glass carrying techniques, and hazard identification on-site.
• Practical assessment criteria and rubrics to objectively evaluate an apprentice's alignment, weatherproofing, and structural fastening skills.
• Troubleshooting guides addressing common installation errors, such as out-of-square frames, glass binding, or improper drainage weep hole placement.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Glossing over the critical mathematics of glass size deductions and clearance tolerances, which leads to apprentices cutting glass too tight for the frame.
• Separating safety instructions into a theoretical footnote instead of integrating specific hazard warnings directly into the physical installation steps.
• Failing to allocate sufficient time for hands-on, repetitive practice of delicate skills like rubber gasket insertion and wet-sealing.
• Ignoring the identification and handling differences between annealed, toughened, and laminated glass types during the preparation phase.

Frequently asked questions