ABAS 3-Week Curriculum for Building a Home on Skids

WEEK 1 - Tight Framing & Dry-In Focus

Day 1 - Safety, Design, Arctic Considerations, Permitting Basics

  • Morning Recap (30 min): Intro, safety protocols, goals (skid assembly).

  • Morning: Shop orientation, tool review, permitting overview, cultural design input (e.g., subsistence storage), start skids.

  • Afternoon: Complete skid assembly, floor system layout.

  • Evening Recap (20 min): Discuss safety, design takeaways.

  • Lessons Learned: “Proper tool handling prevents injury.”

  • Daily Test/Survey: “Name 3 safety rules” + feedback on day.

Day 2 - Construction Math, Blueprint Reading, Floor Framing

  • Morning Recap (30 min): Review Day 1, introduce math/blueprints.

  • Morning: Measure, cut, floor joists & framing.

  • Afternoon: Complete floor framing, subfloor prep.

  • Evening Recap (20 min): Discuss measurement accuracy.

  • Lessons Learned: “Double-check cuts before assembly.”

  • Daily Test/Survey: “How do you lay out and square a floor system?” + suggestions.

Day 3 - Subfloor Install, Start Wall Framing

  • Morning Recap (30 min): Recap floor framing, preview subfloor.

  • Morning: Install glued/screwed subfloor.

  • Afternoon: Layout/load-bearing walls, frame first exterior walls.

  • Evening Recap (20 min): Review subfloor adhesion.

  • Lessons Learned: “Screws + glue ensure solidity.”

  • Daily Test/Survey: “How  do you layout wall framing?” + feedback.

Day 4 - Wall Framing Complete / Start Roof

  • Morning Recap (30 min): Assess walls, outline roof goals.

  • Morning: Complete walls, brace, square.

  • Afternoon: Begin roof layout, start trusses/rafters.

  • Evening Recap (20 min): Discuss bracing techniques.

  • Lessons Learned: “Squaring walls saves time.”

  • Daily Test/Survey: “How do you brace a wall?” + insights.

Day 5 - Roof Framing & Sheathing

  • Morning Recap (30 min): Review roof layout, set sheathing goals.

  • Morning: Roof framing (trusses/rafters), set ridge.

  • Afternoon: Roof sheathing, prep windows/doors.

  • Evening Recap (20 min): Share roof successes.

  • Lessons Learned: “Ridge alignment is critical.”

  • Daily Test/Survey: “What supports the roof ridge?” + feedback.

Day 6 - Window/Door Framing, Dry-In / House Wrap

  • Morning Recap (30 min): Recap sheathing, preview windows/doors.

  • Morning: Frame openings, install windows/doors.

  • Afternoon: Install house wrap, begin air sealing.

  • Evening Recap (20 min): Discuss alignment, sealing tips.

  • Lessons Learned: “Proper sealing prevents drafts.”

  • Daily Test/Survey: “Why use house wrap?” + suggestions.

WEEK 2 - Systems Rough-In & Start Interior Finish

Day 7 - Plumbing Rough-In

  • Morning Recap (30 min): Review dry-in, introduce plumbing.

  • Morning: Layout plumbing, mark runs.

  • Afternoon: Rough-in PEX, vent stacks, drains.

  • Evening Recap (20 min): Reflect on plumbing progress.

  • Lessons Learned: “Plan vent stacks early.”

  • Daily Test/Survey: “What does PEX stand for?” + feedback.

Day 8 - Electrical Rough-In

  • Morning Recap (30 min): Recap plumbing, preview electrical.

  • Morning: Layout wiring, drill holes, install boxes.

  • Afternoon: Pull wire, setup temp panel.

  • Evening Recap (20 min): Discuss wiring safety.

  • Lessons Learned: “Label wires for clarity.”

  • Daily Test/Survey: “Where do wires connect?” + insights.

Day 9 - Heating, Ventilation, Energy Efficiency

  • Morning Recap (30 min): Review electrical, outline heating goals.

  • Morning: Layout, wall thimbles, chimney clearances, intro to heat recovery.

  • Afternoon: Install chimney, venting rough-in.

  • Evening Recap (20 min): Share chimney insights.

  • Lessons Learned: “Clearances prevent fires.”

  • Daily Test/Survey: “Why are clearances important?” + feedback.

Day 10 - Insulation & Vapor Barrier

  • Morning Recap (30 min): Recap venting, preview insulation.

  • Morning: Install insulation (walls, floor, ceiling), energy efficiency tips.

  • Afternoon: Install vapor barrier, tape seams.

  • Evening Recap (20 min): Discuss insulation fit.

  • Lessons Learned: “Taping seams stops moisture.”

  • Daily Test/Survey: “What’s a vapor barrier’s purpose?” + suggestions.

Day 11 - Interior Wall Finish, Ceiling Start

  • Morning Recap (30 min): Review insulation, set interior goals.

  • Morning: Install interior wall panels.

  • Afternoon: Begin ceiling, prep cabinetry layout.

  • Evening Recap (20 min): Reflect on alignment.

  • Lessons Learned: “Level walls ensure a flat ceiling.”

  • Daily Test/Survey: “Why align panels carefully?” + feedback.

Day 12 - Expanded Interior Finish & Cabinetry Layout

  • Morning Recap (30 min): Recap walls/ceilings, preview cabinetry.

  • Morning: Complete interior walls/ceilings.

  • Afternoon: Layout cabinetry, build base frames.

  • Evening Recap (20 min): Discuss layout accuracy.

  • Lessons Learned: “Measure twice for cabinets.”

  • Daily Test/Survey: “What’s the first cabinet step?” + insights.

WEEK 3 - Interior Finish, Cabinetry, Painting, Turnkey

Day 13 - Cabinetry Build & Install

  • Morning Recap (30 min): Review layout, set build goals.

  • Morning: Build/install base cabinets, counters.

  • Afternoon: Build/install upper cabinets, shelving.

  • Evening Recap (20 min): Share install tips.

  • Lessons Learned: “Secure cabinets to studs.”

  • Daily Test/Survey: “Why anchor cabinets?” + feedback.

Day 14 - Interior Trim Carpentry

  • Morning Recap (30 min): Recap cabinets, preview trim.

  • Morning: Door/window casings, baseboard install.

  • Afternoon: Complete trim, caulk/seal.

  • Evening Recap (20 min): Discuss trim precision.

  • Lessons Learned: “Caulk hides gaps.”

  • Daily Test/Survey: “What’s a baseboard’s purpose?” + suggestions.

Day 15 - Painting & Surface Prep

  • Morning Recap (30 min): Review trim, outline painting.

  • Morning: Surface prep, caulking, sanding.

  • Afternoon: Primer coat, first paint coat.

  • Evening Recap (20 min): Reflect on prep importance.

  • Lessons Learned: “Sanding ensures smooth paint.”

  • Daily Test/Survey: “Why prime before painting?” + feedback.

Day 16 - Painting Complete & Flooring Install

  • Morning Recap (30 min): Recap painting, preview flooring.

  • Morning: Finish second paint coat.

  • Afternoon: Install flooring (vinyl/laminate).

  • Evening Recap (20 min): Discuss paint/flooring fit.

  • Lessons Learned: “Even flooring prevents trips.”

  • Daily Test/Survey: “What’s a vinyl flooring benefit?” + insights.

Day 17 - System Hookups, Punch List, Maintenance Basics

  • Morning Recap (30 min): Review flooring, set hookup goals.

  • Morning: Install lights, switches, fixtures, plumbing finish, maintenance intro (e.g., leak fixes).

  • Afternoon: Heating hookup, water test, trim details.

  • Evening Recap (20 min): Share hookup insights.

  • Lessons Learned: “Test plumbing before finishing.”

  • Daily Test/Survey: “Why test water lines?” + feedback.

Day 18 - Final Walkthrough / Completion

  • Morning Recap (30 min): Recap Week 3, prep walkthrough.

  • Morning: Final inspection, clean-up, student reflection.

  • Afternoon: Project photos, certificates, celebration.

  • Evening Recap (20 min): Full project reflection.

  • Lessons Learned: Compiled group insights.

  • Daily Test/Survey: “What’s your biggest takeaway?” + suggestions.

Implementation Notes:

  • Morning Recap (30 min): Align team, review work, set goals.

  • Evening Recap (20 min): Reflect, troubleshoot, build morale.

  • Lessons Learned: 1-2 daily insights in a shared log.

  • Daily Test/Survey: Quick, informal (5-10 min) + student feedback.