The only point that I'd like to take issue with in Mr. Nussbaum's note
is which team will be bringing up the rear. I feel that we have a very
solid chance in beating you on this! But like you all, we're going to
the tourey - ready or not.
: )
Suzanne F. S. Hecker
On Fri, Oct 30, 2009 at 1:51 PM, Phil Smith III wrote:
> This is a GREAT post. I'm thrilled that you "get it", and I'm sure
> your team will have a great time at your Regional!
> The bad news: there likely won't be an opportunity to see a Research
> presentation. Due to noise, space, etc., this just isn't usually
> practical (consider how your team would do if some other team were
> there, making faces at them...).
> HOWEVER, there are a number of past presentations on YouTube; suggest
> you look there. "FLL" is a good keyword.
> --
> Phil Smith III
> Virginia State Judge Advisor, 2007, 2008, 2009
> Judge Advisor, Northern Virginia Regional tournaments, 2007, 2008,
> 2009
> Division 1 Judge Advisor, Virginia State tournament, 2006
>
> Coach, The Capital Girls, Oak Hill (retired)
> Team 1900 (2002)
> Team 2497 (2003)
> Team 2355 (2004)
> Team 1945 (2005)
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: First Lego League in Virginia and DC
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Brian Nussbaum
> Sent: Friday, October 30, 2009 1:08 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: [VADCFLL-L] It's all about the process....
>
> Hello VDACFLL,
> (My thoughts with a question at the end)
>
> I am a first-year coach with a very young team of 5th graders.
> Earlier in
> this listserv there was some conversation about coaches who do not
> feel that
> they are ready for the competition.
>
> We have a week until our day at JMU, and I can definitely say that
> ateam and
> bteam from Thomas Harrison Middle School will be bringing up the rear.
> It
> will be quite amazing if our group is able to complete one task on the
> table, and have any sort of powerpoint with a linear thought process.
> We
> have not completed any of the requirements on the rubric for our
> research.
>
> HOWEVER, as coaches we are looking at the process rather than the end
> result. Learning has happened on the part of both the students and the
> coaches (for example, some of our students are learning that it is not
> a
> good idea to completely dismantle the robot a week before the
> competition).
> On the whole, it is a good example of how this particular group of 5th
> graders has some significant growing to do in the thought-process and
> maturity departments.
>
> As coaches, we have done significant scaffolding for them to try to
> break
> down the problem into smaller chunks, but we will just call our
> students
> 'creative thinkers' rather than linear or result-oriented thinkers.
>
> But this is OK, because we have made progress, even though very little
> of it
> will appear on Saturday. We are trusting that this will be a learning
> experience for this very young team. At this point they don't even
> realize
> what they don't know. Seeing other teams will be a good opportunity
> for
> them to realize their potential for the future.
>
> If we work together a few times in the spring to go back and solve a
> few of
> this year's tasks, and then get an earlier start next fall, we may be
> more
> in the middle of the pack next year (I'm thinking optimistically).
>
> This is to assure all of you that are feeling worried--it's OK.
>
> Question: will there be an opportunity for my teams to watch other
> groups'
> research presentations? I think they never really got a full
> understanding
> of what we were going for on the research end of things. Seeing a
> successful group could be helpful for them.
>
> Thanks.
> --
> Mr. Brian Nussbaum
> Mathematics Teacher
> Thomas Harrison Middle School
>
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