I'm answering because no else mentioned this- We met once a week for 2- 2.5
hours and then once more that week kids got the chance to come back by
sign-up or invitation to work on something- build the set, work the
missions, write the script with another partner. It allowed the team to get
about 5-6 hours in a week, and allowed them to feel unimpeded by
distractions common to having a lot of kids around and not quite enough
work to go around when they are all there. They still worked together and
made plans, but during the week's break, part of the team would come back
and accomplish the tasks the team set for themselves. This is typical of
actual engineering teams, where you set goals as a team and work on your
part to be integrated into the whole system.  I still use this same method
of team and individual time on the robots for my FTC.  We made it to state
in both FLL and FTC without burning anybody out so far.
Brandy
FTC #6193


On Wed, Sep 3, 2014 at 10:38 PM, Jill Hamilton <[log in to unmask]>
wrote:

>  I have had this question from new coaches before.  Ultimately, you will
> need to see what works best for your team. This is my fifth year coaching.
> I have always coached teams of 10 (lucky me) – time management is an issue.
> We have found it best to break meetings into two parts:  1) team work and
> group discussions about research, 2) doing the “work” (programming – can’t
> have too many doing this at once with one bot, research, skit writing,
> poster board design, press releases, web-design, film/photography, etc.).
>  Sometimes we regroup afterward before dismissing everyone to focus on what
> each group has learned. We have our snack after the teamwork/discussions.
> During the first part of our meeting, the kids discuss everything from team
> name, t-shirt designs, research topic issues, planning their public
> outreach event, sharing details about the upcoming events/competitions.  We
> might also have a demonstration or an expert visit/call during this time.
> I have found it helpful to get the kids to map out a timeline of activities
> they need to accomplish and by when (for first year coaches, you might have
> to help them flesh it out). Then, they sign their names up next to the
> timeline activities they most want to work on.  Often I have found that
> some kids want to work more on the skit and research while others want to
> lead the programming.  This is okay, so long as this is their desire and
> they are working as a team.  There are plenty of activities for kids to
> lead, if they desire.  Remember to leave time for fun too (we have
> trampoline jumping before and after practice sessions). It is amazing what
> these kids can accomplish if they work as a team.
>
>
>
> Best wishes for success,
>
> Jill, Coach of the Mechanical Manatees
>
>
>
> *From:* First Lego League in Virginia and DC [mailto:
> [log in to unmask]] *On Behalf Of *Joe A.
> *Sent:* Wednesday, September 03, 2014 9:59 PM
> *To:* [log in to unmask]
>
> *Subject:* Re: [VADCFLL-L] practice commitment
>
>
>
> I agree...great thread! I'm a total noob, never had a meeting, still
> coming up with ideas for their format, length and frequency. This helps a
> lot.
>
>
>
> Not to completely hijack the original post but since you're on the
> subject,  it would also be helpful to get tips from pros how you typically
> spend that time at meetings. Do you break up into groups and do different
> pieces of the challenge or project at the same time? Other team building
> games or challenges? If anyone feels like sharing tips on keeping the team
> engaged throughout, I'd appreciate it!
>
>
>
> Joe
>
>
> Sent from my iPhone. Pardon the typos!
>
>
> On Sep 3, 2014, at 8:54 PM, John Hostetter <[log in to unmask]>
> wrote:
>
>   This is a great thread! It's good to know I'm not way above or below.
> We meet two days a week for an hour and a half each time. We're always
> scrambling a week before the competition, but they always make me proud.
>
> John
>
>
>
> On Wed, Sep 3, 2014 at 8:46 PM, Michele Bossick <[log in to unmask]>
> wrote:
>
> Thank you all for your responses. I think I am on target with meeting
> twice a week for a total of 3 hrs a week. I appreciate all the insight from
> other coaches.
>
>
>
> Michele
>
>
>
> On Wed, Sep 3, 2014 at 8:34 PM, Wendy Newton <[log in to unmask]>
> wrote:
>
> We meet once a week for a couple of hours. With scouts, tutoring and other
> responsibilities the kids have that is about all we can schedule together
> regularly. To help fill in, the kids do research between meetings as well
> and then when they come together they share, compare, etc.
>
> When it gets closer to the regional we add in days where we can. Also on
> school holidays I usually take the day off and let the kids come over all
> day. That is when we do any field trips they want to do.
>
> The night before the regional is crazy, they never seem prepared but
> somehow they pull it together.
>
>
>
> On Wed, Sep 3, 2014 at 8:04 PM, Lloyd O'Hara <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
> We generally meet 5 - 6 hours per week.  Acouple hours on Thursday nights
> and  3-4 on Sunday afternoons.  When the regionals come around, we
> generally meet a couple more hours leading up to make sure we are ready.
> The good news is that this is our 5th year and all of our team members know
> what to expect and what needs to be done.
>
>
>
> Thanks,
>
>
>
> Lloyd
>
>  ----- Original Message -----
>
> *From:* Laura Dysart <[log in to unmask]>
>
> *To:* [log in to unmask]
>
> *Sent:* Wednesday, September 03, 2014 6:31 PM
>
> *Subject:* Re: [VADCFLL-L] practice commitment
>
>
>
> I originally replied to just Michele- but thought it might be worth
> noting- we are in our 6th year- we always are half rookie/half done it. Our
> team meets on Saturday mornings and Monday afternoons for 2 hours. However,
> the team has decided and agreed in the past to increased hours or days if
> they feel like they need more time. The nice thing about that is that they
> buy into - they feel they need it. Someone mentioned GT kids making it
> easier-  we often have a few with attention issues- making it not easier-
> so two hours is max in one meeting- with breaks. - we have done a one all
> day thing at the agreement of the team- where we also take a break in the
> local park and break it up a ton- Half fun day half work. the kids actually
> enjoy that in the years we have needed it- getting them to decide on
> additional time is key- they buy in.
>
> On Sep 3, 2014, at 5:24 PM, Michele Bossick wrote:
>
>
>
> Hello all.....Please share how often and how long your team meets to
> practice. I am having some difficulty with parents understanding this is
> more than club.  I am starting to feel like maybe I am being unreasonable
> so I wanted to see how often other teams meet.
>
>
>
> Thanks for sharing...
>
>
>
> Michele
>
>
>
> --
> ______________________________
> *Michele Bossick*
> Technology Educator-Lower School
> Nansemond-Suffolk Academy <http://www.nsacademy.org/>
> 3373 Pruden Blvd.
> Suffolk, VA 23434
> [log in to unmask]
> 757.539.8789
>
>
> *The mission of Nansemond-Suffolk Academy is to provide an academically
> rigorous college preparatory education in an atmosphere fostering moral
> character, respect, responsibility and compassion. With a commitment to
> honor above all, the Academy seeks to develop and inspire leaders who value
> diversity, creativity, scholastic excellence and community service.*
>
> The information transmitted is intended solely for the individual or
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> --
> ______________________________
> *Michele Bossick*
> Technology Educator-Lower School
> Nansemond-Suffolk Academy <http://www.nsacademy.org>
> 3373 Pruden Blvd.
> Suffolk, VA 23434
> [log in to unmask]
> 757.539.8789
>
>
> *The mission of Nansemond-Suffolk Academy is to provide an academically
> rigorous college preparatory education in an atmosphere fostering moral
> character, respect, responsibility and compassion. With a commitment to
> honor above all, the Academy seeks to develop and inspire leaders who value
> diversity, creativity, scholastic excellence and community service.*
>
> The information transmitted is intended solely for the individual or
> entity to which it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or
> privileged material. Any review, retransmission, dissemination or other use
> of or taking action in reliance upon this information by persons or
> entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited. If you have
> received this email in error please contact the sender and delete the
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