Teaching in Lego Sunday, Jul 10 2011

One of the challenges that face a Leader is how to communicate an idea or thought to their young people.  Ideally, that method should be easily repeatable – and ultimately, not require the Leader to have to spend a large amount of time or money replicating.

The largest challenge I have found is translating outdoor skills into table top demonstrations; it isn’t always easy or practical to take a Troop off to a campsite just to teach a skill for a variety of reasons.  Take teaching how to set out a campsite for example.  Getting the scouts to put Patrol tents up can be challenge enough, but to start moving them round the field to get them to the optimal position… To that end, I did create a number of paper scale models that I could put together.  This was mostly repeatable as it required me to print out an A4 sheet of paper and then cut and sellotape the tents into shape, ready for the patrol to sit down.

More recently though, I have been making use of a more sturdy solution – that of the Lego Brick.  Using a number of bricks I have been able to make up a small set that can be used to teach site layout.

The set (when built) comprises two patrol tents, a dining shelter, a fire/cooking point, wood store, a water barrel, a litter/rubbish bin, a flag, a campsite water point and a campsite toilet block.  The intention is that the leader can get the flag to indicate the wind direction and then allow the scouts to place the tents, the fire, etc. and then discuss the merits of having the water nowhere near the fire / dining shelter; or the problems of being too close to the communal toilets / water point.

Using the Lego Designer, I have uploaded it to the Lego site, but the image of the build is displayed here:

The parts list (if you want to build it yourself) can be found at the end of this article.  If you do decide to go to the Lego.com “Design by Me” part of the website, look up “frog_101” as a username.  The whole lot can be purchased there!

Just for the record, I don’t have shares in Lego, but for those who have been following this blog you will note that I do make a lot of use of it!

 

 

Parts list

Part #	Item	Colour	Qty
3001	BRICK 2×4	Dark grey	3
3299	RIDGED TILE 2×4	Bright Red	2
3297	ROOF TILE 3×4	Bright Red	1
4490	BRICK W. BOW 1×3	White	1
3004	BRICK 1×2	White	2
3005	BRICK 1×1	White	1
3010	BRICK 1×4	White	1
3048	END RIDGED TILE 1×2	Bright Red	2
3044	RIDGED TILE 1×2	Bright Red	4
3004	BRICK 1X2	Bright Blue	1
3794	PLATE 1×2 W. 1 KNOB	Bright Blue	1
4085	PLATE 1×1 W.Holder	Black	1
86208	BUTT	Grey	1
61780	BOX 2x2x2		1
4738	CHEST 2×4		1
2489	BARREL 2×2		1
3022	PLATE 2X2	Bright Red	1
2412	RADIATOR GRILL 1×2	Bright Red	1
2412	RADIATOR GRILL 1X2	Black	1
3957	STICK / AERIAL	Black	1
60719	FLAG W. 2 HOLDERS	Bright Blue	1
3899	Mug		1
3835	MINI FIREMAN’S AXE		1

 

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What is a Scout? Tuesday, Sep 21 2010

At the last Scout meeting, we worked with the Scouts to develop the Acceptable Behaviour Agreement. Whilst this is (I understand) a fairly common thing for schools and other youth groups, as I worked through the list of what the Scouts had thought was reasonable - and what wasn’t  – I started to link each of them back to the Scout Promise and Law.  At the end, each one was referenced in the Promise that every Scout makes when they are presented with their membership badges.

So, whilst I can recognise that a young person will still be developing as they get older, I ask the question – what is a Scout?

I think it’s quite simple.  A Scout is a young person that wants to be a Scout and as such will do their best to keep the values of the Scout Law.  It extends beyond just being nice to other people, but taking pride in their appearance, recognising that they are part of a team and wanting to be part of that for as long as they are in that Section (where, it is hoped, they will go onto the next section).  It also extends way beyond a person’s age and which Scout section they happen to be in; actually, it could be suggested that “once a Scout, always a Scout” – even if you leave the Movement!

It’s a tough call to be a Scout – but then, no-one said it was easy which is why the Scout Promise starts “On my Honour, I Promise that I will do my best….”

Some could argue that it’s easy for me to write this – after all, I’m an Assistant Scout Leader and it’s my job. That, I guess, is partly true – but I was also a Cub, a Scout, a Venture Scout before I became a Leader.  Whilst I have held a Leader’s warrant I have made the same promise several times as I became an Assistant District Commissioner and a District Commissioner, before taking it a second time as an Assistant Scout Leader.  Effectively, the Promise is something which has formed and guided my life for what is now 34 years.  But it is the same promise I made when I was ten years old when I joined Scouts.

So really, the question that you need to ask yourself as you put on that uniform shirt is this – do you want to be a Scout, or are you just putting on a shirt with a few badges on it?

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TLW Challenge – w/c 19 July Saturday, Jul 17 2010

As this week will be the last proper evening befire we break for the summer, the TLW challenge this week is as follows:

You will get points for turning up.  That’s it.  Easy. Simple.  Just be there.

As for uniform – nah, it’s a beach party themed evening. Come comfortable, but dressed – dude!

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A Scout has Self respect and respect for others Monday, Jul 12 2010

 

It’s not often that I write an article for the Two Left Wellies about how a Scout should behave.  Good Scout behaviour is ultimately guided by the Scout Law - a very simple set of rules.  One of those Laws is that “A Scout has Self Respect and Respect for Others”.

 

 

On camps this year, I have been surprised by the Scouts definition of Respect. The current way of thinking (if I am to believe what I am told) is that effectively no-one starts with any respect and that it is earned every time.  You can’t just “demand” or “expect” respect from others – so that Teachers are put in a difficult position as they will not earn respect as they get the kids to do homework and punish them.

 

So how do you get respect? Well, it seems that peer-pressure and being cool (that is just doing stuff that you agree with) is the short cut.  But is that the right way?

 

I had a think about this over the weekend.  When I was growing up, teachers and people in position of authority would be automatically be given an element of respect because of the position that they held.  A teacher would have respect as they had a wealth of knowledge that they would pass on to me and which I might find useful in later life (20+ years later I can now say that some of those things are not of use for me now, but I recognise if I had gone for a career in woodwork they might have done).  Then, as I spent more time with that teacher I may then give them further personal respect for the way in which they instructed me (and again, many years later there are still teachers who I recall by name)

 

So, starting from zero respect – is that a good thing?  I don’t think so, and that’s because of the other part to respect – getting respect back.

 

When you give someone respect, there is a silent agreement that you will receive some back.  So if you give someone no respect – how can you expect to get them to give you respect either?

 

 

From a teacher / scout leader point of view then:  a new Scout (or student) joins the class.  Initially the leader will give that student some respect – a hope that they will want to learn or study and that they will do so in a way that will also allow all the others in the class (or Troop) to learn as well.  Then, over time, the leader will then get to know that Scout better.  If the Scout is showing a willingness to learn (constructively) then the Leader will give that Scout more respect; it may be that respect will be shown by promoting them to Assistant Patrol Leader or even Patrol Leader; or they may suggest opportunities that they feel a Scout may benefit from.  Note that from a Scouting perspective this willingness is shown in the Scout wanting to learn themselves, not to show off to the leader.

However, if a Scout should decide that they don’t wish to be constructive or helpful, then it is natural for a Leader to lose respect for that Scout – and this can be demonstrated by taking some action (which can be talking to them about their behaviour or more extreme actions such as not allowing them to take part in evenings and activities).

 

 

However, this isn’t a one-way road.  If a Scout misbehaves and the Leader does caution them then some respect will be lost – however, if the Scout then listens to that caution and decides to change their behaviour then the Leader will start to give that Scout more respect; again, a recognition of the Scouts willingness to learn.

 

 

The Scout Law refers to two types of respect – respect for others and a respect for self.

The second part to this is a topic big enough for an article in itself, but it is worth noting that both are linked together; a Scout (or indeed Leader) that shows little respect for themselves (which could be their conduct, the state of their uniform) will find that others will lose their respect for them also.

 

 

 

The Scout Law is a simple set of rules for good living.  Whilst all the rules are very simple in what they ask us to do they will also provide us with a great challenge to make sure that we live by them.

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The Scout Law and Promise – A Scout is to be Trusted Wednesday, May 27 2009

As Scouts, we are asked to make the Scout Promise.  This is quite a simple, but very powerful statement:

On my honour, I promise to do my best

To do my Duty to God and to the Queen

To help other people

And to keep the Scout Law.

 

It’s quite clever in that you are not promising to ALWAYS do the things in the promise, but that you will always TRY to do the things in the promise.  It recognises that we will all fail sometimes but that we are going to do our best to meet up to the promise and law.

 

So, what is the Scout Law?  The Law is a collection of seven simple statements, which collectively state what it is to be a Scout today.  There have been some minor tweaks over the years, but these are little more than changes to the words and terms that we used to use.  The Scout law is this:

1. A Scout is to be trusted.
2. A Scout is loyal.
3. A Scout is friendly and considerate.
4. A Scout belongs to the world-wide family of Scouts.
5. A Scout has courage in all difficulties.
6. A Scout makes good use of time and is careful of possessions and property.
7. A Scout has self-respect and respect for others.

Before we invest new members into the Scout Group, we go through the Promise and Law and ensure that the new member understands what they are about to sign up for.

 My intention is to take each of the Laws, and Sections of the Promise – and break them down to explain them.

 

So, let’s start with that first Scout Law:

A SCOUT IS TO BE TRUSTED

It’s no surprise that this is the first law.  This, above all others, starts to define what a Scout is.

The word Trust comes from the Middle English truste, which may in turn have come from the Old Norse word traust, meaning confidence. 

So what does it mean – to be trusted?  Well, if I asked you to look after my big pile of jam doughnuts and not to eat any, and you (as a Scout) said that you would, then I should be happy in going off to get large bottles of fizzy drink to go with my doughnuts, knowing that when I got back I wouldn’t just have a pile of crumbs and someone sat by them with their mouth covered in sugar as they had stuffed them all in.

It also means that if I ask you if these trainers that I am about to buy look alright that when you say “they’re really good” then I can be happy that I am not going to look silly when I wear them next (and that people will also like the fact that they have flashing lights on the heels)

It also means that if I were to say “we’re going camping in Dorset, do you want to come?” and you say “I must check with my parents” that you will check with your parents (also, that you will tell us if you can come – but that’s the subject for another Law). 

I would also add that “to be trusted” means that if you were to say “I can’t come out tonight I have to stay in and do my homework”  that you are actually staying in – and not just going out with some other friends to a party.

 

So be trusted is quite a heavy responsibility to take on.  As a Scout – can you be TRUSTED?

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The Million Pound Note Tuesday, May 12 2009

As camping season is almost fully underway, as are school trips and events, I thought it was time to write this particular blog entry.

For those who can remember, there was a film made in 1954 starring Gregory Peck called the Million Pound Note. The basic premis is that two American millionaires give a penniless man a loan, in the form of a single banknote made out to £1million. The film itself then follows his trials and tribulations as he tries to spend this money… but of course, no-one will accept the note (obviously, it’s a lot of money and no-one has that sort of change). There is further twists when it is thought that the note is lost (by this time, Gregory Peck – or rather, his character – has built up an amount of credit on the promise of this note).

 So what’s the link between this and Scouting? Okay, here’s a challenge for you. Go into a sweet shop, armed with a £10 note and try to buy 1 Mars Bar and 1 can of coca cola. Feel uncomfortable? See the problem?

But wait – there’s more to this exercise. On another day, armed only with a £10 note in your pocket – no wallet, no credit cards, no spare change – go to work, go to lunch, go to the gym and possibly go shopping. How many times did you check to see that you still had the £10 note in your pocket? What happened when you checked the wrong pocket?

As a plea to parents, please, if you are giving your children pocket money for camps, whether it is going into the camp bank or straight to the child, make sure it’s in small enough amounts that they can buy the things they want to buy – mainly sweets, drinks and possibly comics.

Don’t just give them a single note – at a recent camp I had a distraught Scout come to me as he had lost the £5 note his parents had given him… it was Friday evening so he had nothing at all for the weekend (fortunately, I had a few pound coins I could give him so it wasn’t a total washout for the weekend).

Unless, of course, you want them to buy you a present that cost £7… so that they had change for sweets and drinks….

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