Thank you, James, for sharing this. This is a great note for all. As a
rookie coach last year, I found it challenging to get the team to focus on
all the wonderful aspects of FLL during our weekly 1.5 hr meetings over
several weeks. Somehow, it all worked out and we had a lot of fun in the
process, especially discovering the great energy that all the teams and
volunteers brought to our first tournament. What an experience! It reminds
me of this bit from Shakespeare in Love:

Philip Henslowe <http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001691/?ref_=tt_trv_qu>: Mr.
Fennyman, allow me to explain about the theatre business. The natural
condition is one of insurmountable obstacles on the road to imminent
disaster.

Hugh Fennyman <http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0929489/?ref_=tt_trv_qu>: So what
do we do?

Philip Henslowe <http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001691/?ref_=tt_trv_qu>:
Nothing. Strangely enough, it all turns out well.

Hugh Fennyman <http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0929489/?ref_=tt_trv_qu>: How?

Philip Henslowe <http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001691/?ref_=tt_trv_qu>: I
don't know. It's a mystery.
:)

And thank you, also, for the ideas of what to do in the off-season. Will
look into these for this winter/spring.

Emily
Ancient Androids


On Tue, Oct 28, 2014 at 11:19 AM, Joan Harper-Neely <
[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> My team loved putting the board together. They displayed great team work
> and problem solving skills.
> Programming is not their strength right now. It is something that will
> improve with lots of opportunities and time.
>
> On Wed, Oct 22, 2014 at 2:30 PM, Dale Glass <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
>>  Thanks for this reassurance, James! We too are a school-based team and
>> don’t really start until late Sept after returning from outdoor ed.  We
>> meet 1x week for 40 minutes as an after school class, so we’re struggling
>> with time.  The kids are learning a lot and having fun, so it’s a complete
>> success, whatever happens at the tournament.
>>
>>
>>
>> -Dale Glass
>>
>> NPS Cardinals
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> *From:* First Lego League in Virginia and DC [mailto:
>> [log in to unmask]] *On Behalf Of *groverf
>> *Sent:* Wednesday, October 22, 2014 1:13 PM
>> *To:* [log in to unmask]
>> *Subject:* [VADCFLL-L] Project presentation
>>
>>
>>
>> From the CyberTigers #5234,
>>
>> Robot Bill is spot on with his comment.  We are a school based team that
>> doesn't really get going until mid-September.  We meet twice a week for 2
>> hours and never have enough time to do "everything" to prepare for
>> competition.  This is my fourth year coaching, and every team has been
>> different--even with a 90% return rate year to year.
>>
>> After the competition is complete, we move on to other activities that
>> help teach the basic prinicples associated with programming, robot design,
>> strategy, and just about anything else the team may be interested in.  Last
>> year, after the season, we participated in the Hour of Code, held our own
>> SumoBot competition, SpeedBot competition, and the ultimate challenge of
>> Capture the Flag--RobotStyle.  The last challenge, without a doubt, was the
>> favorite of every student.
>>
>> Remember, what we discover is more important than what we win, and you'll
>> be fine.
>>
>> Best wishes for a great experience.
>>
>> v/r,
>>
>> James Garner
>> Coach and Pizza Delivery Guy for the CyberTigers
>> Team #5234
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Robot Bill <[log in to unmask]> <[log in to unmask]>
>> To: VADCFLL-L <[log in to unmask]>
>> <[log in to unmask]>
>> Sent: Wed, Oct 22, 2014 9:23 am
>> Subject: Re: [VADCFLL-L] Project presentation
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> I'd like to add a footnote to this conversation if I may. Please don't
>> fret too much over how much your team does or does participate in the off
>> season.
>>
>>
>> The teams in FLL compete at all different levels. There are rookie teams
>> and veteran teams. Some teams can compete at the qualifier-level, some at
>> the state championship level and some at the World Festival level. They are
>> ALL great teams.
>>
>>
>> Please do not compare your teams by how much you participate and how far
>> you go in FLL. As long as your teams are having fun and learning, your
>> seasons will be successful.
>>
>> I am concerned that there might be rookie teams on this listserve who are
>> reading these comments and ****fretting** over how much they are doing
>> with respect to the other teams in FLL. Do not worry. Do your best this
>> year and try to learn from the others to prepare for next year. All teams
>> had to be rookies at one time and they all go through the same growth
>> process.
>>
>>
>> Do well, have fun and we'll see you at the tournaments!
>>
>>
>> Bil
>>  ------------------------------
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>
>
>
> --
> Learning and innovation go hand in hand. The arrogance of success is to
> think that what you did yesterday will be sufficient for tomorrow.
> <http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/w/williampol163253.html>
> William Pollard
> <http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/w/william_pollard.html>
>
>
> *Joan Harper-Neely*
>
>
> *National Board Certified TeacherTechnology & Children's Engineering
> Teacher Cooper Elementary Magnet School for Technology*
> *Google Voice Phone 757-255-8111 <757-255-8111>*
>
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