We believe that too many teams and coaches go into the season looking for the highest and the best as compared to everyone else. This often leads to disappointment and discouragement for the children in the end. We recognize our limitations as a new team every year, since we recruit new fifth graders that then move on to another school. This allows more children to participate and keeps up the level of excitement we often experience with a first year team. One approach that seems to work is to have the team do THEIR best in ALL areas of FLL and not just the table. By focusing on what we can do BEST and doing it well each time leads to smiles all around and not worrying about being perfect or getting a perfect score. We don't make excuses for being new, but we do what WE can do best. Have fun! At the tournament, don't get pulled into looking at the robot scores that are posted after each round. Teach this to your parents, too. Celebrate what the team accomplishes with each round at the table, presentation to the judges, and being together as a team. Have fun! Remember to let the kids do the work while offering the right amount of encouragement and advice. Show your GP by being a good and coach. By the way, have fun! If this was a football game, and all of your attention and effort went into one player like the quarterback or in FLL, the robot, would you have a good team? Think about playing in rec league when everyone gets to play and enjoy the game. Team members have a great time, try not to worry about the score, and look forward to what snacks they were going to have when the game is over. What "snacks" will you bring with you to the tournament? How about a thank-you card with a picture of the team that you give to all of the team members before the awards that lets them focus on why they are really there? How about a button or hat that they proudly wear home? At the state tournament, each team member gets a medal to wear around his neck. How about a smile or a high-five that lets the team know they have done THEIR best? Share your "snack" ideas. We'd like to hear them. John C. Sammons Technology Integration Specialist Greenbrier Intermediate School 1701 River Birch Run North Chesapeake, VA 23320 (757) 578-7080 ******************************************* Confidentiality Statement: This electronic message and attachments are intended only for the use of the addressee and may contain confidential or privileged information. Receipt of this transmission by any person other than the intended recipient does not constitute permission to examine, copy, or distribute the accompanying material. If you received this electronic message in error, please notify the sender of the message. ******************************************* ______________________________________________________________ To UNSUBSCRIBE or CHANGE YOUR SETTINGS, please visit https://listserv.jmu.edu/archives/vadcfll-l.html and select "Join or leave the list". If you want to join the VADCFLL-ADMIN-L mailing list - to which FLL administrative announcements will be distributed - visit https://listserv.jmu.edu/archives/vadcfll-admin-l.html and select "Join or leave the list".