I need some advice

[Timd]

Here's the issue- My Mother is, at 73, still a Girl Scout leader. She has asked me to help teach a leather craft class at their next unit encampment in 2 weeks. I've been talking to the guy who has been doing this, and this weekend event is the only leatherwork he does. He tells me there will be 2 one hour classes, with 45 8-15 year old girls in each class. I will be buying wristbands from TLF, and they will be stamping their names, and some flowers, etc..., which sounds easy enough, but 45 at a time? He also threw in that it usually turns into mayhem, but I guess I'm getting old and cranky, I'd like to actually like to teach them something. Anyone have experience with crowd control of this magnitude? How can you keep their attention? Guess what I'm trying to say is...HELP!!

[rdb]

Three Nuns and a dog couldn't control that crowd.....

So..just dive in and have fun.

[CitizenKate]

My first thought is to get a classroom assistant. Or two. Or three?

Kate

[Beaverslayer]

No advice here either, but will be waiting patiently for the update as to hpw it all worked out for you. Good luck, and have fun.

Ken

[rdb]

The best thing would be to break them up into groups right away...e.g. 9 groups of 5. Pick a leader for each group..give them some responsibilities, and You leaders do introductory then have the team leaders kinda watchover things, while you float from group to group.

Standard crowd control...lol..good luck, it really does sound like fun.

[CitizenKate]

Ah, the old "divide and conquer"! I'd put my money on your approach. You sound like you've "been there".

Kate

The best thing would be to break them up into groups right away...e.g. 9 groups of 5. Pick a leader for each group..give them some responsibilities, and You leaders do introductory then have the team leaders kinda watchover things, while you float from group to group.

Standard crowd control...lol..good luck, it really does sound like fun.

[indypbear]

Timd,

I've had some experience with 4H, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts (mostly). I guess I would have to ask who is actually teaching the class? Is it you or the guy that has done it for years?

If it is you:

1) Pray a lot, then organize them into groups of 4 or 5 with an assistant for each group. You have better control with smaller #s.

2) Inventory the tools you have to work with for each group.

3) Prepare a lesson plan with enough time to case, stamp and put a simple finish on them. Saddle oil would be quick & simple or a spray lacquer!

4) Quickly tell them what you are going to teach, teach it, set them to work, praise their creativity. Oh, let them know up front the time they have from start to finish (ONLY 1 Hour).

5) Watch the group. The some of the older Scouts may be more mature and some may have some leather experience. Use them as peer control and some additional assistance for their group. They need to exercise their Leadership Skills.

6) Keep it simple, Make it fun! (KISMIF)

7) Straighten up and repeat with group two. Some of the older Scouts may want to stay and help if they have time on their schedule (Force Multiplier). Pick and choose. You may have some talented candidates for a more advanced class in the future.

It will be chaiotic. Don't let it get to you! Set to rules of conduct and courtesy you expect then delegate, delegate, delegate. Just remember that PPPPP (Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance) so get prepared.

Good Luck and you have fun with it!

John aka Indy

[Windy]

If you really want to teach them, I would probably just do what the guy you are helping wants to do with the wristbands and just stamping their names. Then I would talk to your mother the scout leader about doing a "hands on demo" at the next group meeting she controls.Then have her talk to the other scout leaders about you coming and giving demos at each small group meeting.This way you get a smaller group that is easier to control.Not to mention giving the individual attention to each scout. Trying to teach that many at one time is going to frustrate

you to no end , unless of course kids have changed since I was a scout.

WINDY

[jammon]

RDB and Indypbear are right on track! Keep in mind that your only introducing them to leatherwork and not trying to teach the finer points. If you try to go to far in depth you'll only ensure you have no fun and stress out with the class being that large. Make it a fun introduction that peaks their curiosity to learn more later. Remember to be flexible and let them have fun and you will too : )

Edited May 22, 2008 by jammon

[Johanna]

45 is a pretty big group to work with at one time. Organization will help. Make sure you have the tools sorted and laid out before they come in. I like the idea of splitting them into smaller groups. If the space is small and noisy, limit them to one mallet per table. Assign older girls with younger ones in each group.

Before you get started, do a dramatic intro. Get their attention. If they are using wooden mallets, you hit the demo piece with your 20lb. maul. If you don't have enough alphabet sets for each table/group, give the younger girls 3D stamps only. Letters aren't very easy for newbies to line up, and some girls might not like "mistakes". Also, you are really lucky that these are girls. Boys will convert hammers to weapons and implements of destruction, but girls have a longer attention span. Smart move having the snaps pre set, too. It will lessen the frustration. Girl Scouts all have leaders- make sure you enlist their help to make things go smoothly.

Last, but not least- tell all the girls if they like leatherwork to check out leatherworker.net on their computers, and give them directions to their nearest Tandy store. Better to be addicted to pounding cow than other teenage temptations. You are doing a good thing spreading the fun, helping your mother and introducing the girls to the joy of the craft. When it's all over with, put your feet up and enjoy a refreshing libation. You will have earned it.

Johanna