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![[Laser cut and engrave] Title: The Classroom Choice Wheel — A Fair Start for Every Student](https://storage-public.atomm.com/xtool/community/attachment/xtool-community/c05ce62a-5bc2-43f1-bdec-f367399e3eb2.jpg?x-oss-process=image/resize,w_200,h_150,limit_0/interlace,1/format,webp/auto-orient,1)
Title: The Classroom Choice Wheel — A Fair Start for Every Student
Back to School 2026 Contest
Instruction
Information
As a former classroom teacher, I learned quickly that the first days of school set the tone for everything that follows. Students walk in with butterflies, big dreams, and the hope that their voice will matter. That’s the inspiration behind the Classroom Choice Wheel — a handmade, reusable spinner designed to give every student an equal chance to participate, contribute, and shine.
This project features a customizable wheel with removable triangle inserts that teachers can swap out throughout the year. Whether selecting students for class participation, forming activity groups, choosing project ideas, or adding a bit of fun to daily routines, the Choice Wheel brings fairness, excitement, and structure to the classroom. It’s a simple tool with a big impact: helping teachers build inclusive, engaging learning moments from day one.
Created for the Back‑to‑School Contest, this piece celebrates the magic of fresh starts, classroom community, and the creativity teachers bring to their students every single day.
Instruction
Step1: Cut out Wheel Face
The first step in this project is to cut out each of the parts. The wheel face is cut from a 1/8" thick basswood plywood sheet.
Step2: Cut out Wheel Back
Next, I cut out the back piece of the wheel. This is out of another sheet of 1/8" basswood plywood.
Step3: Stain and Glue up
Next, I stained the face of the wheel and used blue painter's tape to glue it to the back.
Step4: Cut out stand and glue up
Next cut out the base and stand for the wheel. I added a cutout for the bearing linked below. The cutout is a friction fit, so you may have to make some adjustments to account for the kerf if you are using a 40w laser.
Next, just glue the stand together. I used two base pieces to give it a little bit more stability.
Step5: Cut Dowel Rods
Next, using the S1, I set up two dowel rods to be cut ½ inch on center. This gave me the pegs that go around the edge of the wheel.
Step6: 3D print the Center Pin
In the project files I added a 3D model of the pin needed for the center of the wheel. This fits the inner diameter of the bearing used in step 4. If you don't have 3D print, you may be able to print this at your local library for free.
Step7: Press the wheel and bearing together.
Pressing the pin through the front of the wheel, push it into the center of the bearing. The bearing should be seated in the stand, with the back plate holding it in the cutout.
Step8: Cut out paper inserts
Next, using any decorative paper or card stock, cut out the paper inserts. I couldn't find settings for the thin paper I had, so I ran a test array. This worked well and I've included the settings in the file.
Step9: Pencil Selector
The last step was to add the pencil selector. This required a second bracket that attaches in the back. I used more dowel rod to pivot inside a the stand. The back of the dowel rod has a counter weight to help keep the pencil pointing down as the pegs strike the bottom end of the pencil.
Posted on X
https://x.com/Thrasher114/status/2084807728354967933
Posted on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/groups/3512978005676322/?multi_permalinks=3963101353997316
Reddit post
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