Tell the parents to calm down (I know, this is the subtext of your message
already).

 

The Capital Girls realized early on that the competition wasn't really
against the other teams: it's against themselves and their robot. So they
never really cared how other teams did, just whether THEY felt that THEY'D
done their best. Essentially, the FLL Challenge is a mountain that nobody is
supposed to climb all the way. Some teams are GT 8th graders with no
extracurriculars who live in the same neighborhood and spend many many hours
every day; other teams are full of busy 5th graders who meet once a week for
an hour. And everything in between (and being older isn't necessarily an
advantage, but I'm sure the kids THINK it is).

 

So sure, there might be some "keener" team at a tournament clicking off high
table scores. But that's only 25% of the overall evaluation. I've seen teams
advance to State who did poorly on the table; I've seen teams NOT advance
who did GREAT on the table.

 

And I have yet to see a team NOT have fun at a tournament. I like to tell
the story of having only ever seen ONE kid crying in eleven years of
coaching and judging, and there was clearly a lot more going on there than
just unhappiness over performance. Compare that to ANY sport your kids have
participated in.

 

So.worry not. Tell them to do their best, and enjoy the ride. And when they
get together this week and complain that NOTHING IS WORKING AND WE AREN'T
READY AND WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO THERE'S NO POINT. -- deep breath, help
them figure out what DOES work, and don't even let them THINK about not
coming. They'll have a blast!

-- 

Phil Smith III

 

Coach, The Capital Girls (retired)

Team 1900 (2002)

Team 2497 (2003)

Team 2355 (2004)

Team 1945 (2005)

 

From: First Lego League in Virginia and DC
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Linda Budiman
Sent: Friday, October 25, 2013 2:24 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [VADCFLL-L] Rookie team

 

Hi Everyone,

 

We are a new rookie team (joined FLL in September -- enjoying it very much -
especially everyone's support) and as we approach the finish line parents
are worried about the kids feeling really bad if they don't perform up to
the other teams.  

 

Our hearts are torn because we know in our minds it's about teaching the FLL
Core Values.   We are thinking of the core values -- "We are a team", "What
we discover if more important".    At the same time, we respect the parents
who feel strongly that the kids may feel bad in the end.    Has anyone ever
been here walking in these shoes that could offer advice. W

 

We would love to hear everyone's thoughts.

 

Best Regards

Linda Budiman

 

.  We are a team.

.  We do the work to find solutions with guidance from our coaches and
mentors.

.  We know our coaches and mentors don't have all the answers; we learn
together.

.  We honor the spirit of friendly competition.

.  What we discover is more important than what we win.

.  We share our experiences with others.

.  We display Gracious Professionalism
<http://www.usfirst.org/aboutus/gracious-professionalism> R and
CoopertitionR in everything we do.

.  We have FUN!

  _____  

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