Since we have our 5th graders apply for the competition team, November is the month where we scramble to pull ideas, programming, and the team together. If you've not already considered it, team shirts are definitely a unifying component. I use Big Frog only because they are close. Their turn around time is pretty quick. I always include a shirt for myself. On the pocket I try to keep it simple; team name, team number, school. On the back will be a logo related to our theme/topic, team name, team number, and student first names.
We generally hold after school practices 2-3 times a week and from 2:30-3:45ish. We brainstorm a to-do list and assign each team member a task. As coaches, we facilitate. The more we turn this over to the kids, the better results we have of them performing at each level of competition. At the end of each practice, we assign tasks of what was not finished in an effort to have them done by the next practice. We rehearse the skit, discuss props that will garnish attention and also support the project idea. We use timers and run the robot over and over to see what missions can be accomplished as well as the most efficient order in which to start. For Core Values we practice team building activities. Overall we also practice walking in and out of a judging room. Sounds silly but you'd be surprised at teams at all levels who argue as they walk in and/or out. We practice making eye contact when speaking and shaking hands. We practice various responses to give to judges and how to strike up a conversation. We rehearse our project in front of students and teachers who give feedback. Parents can also be a great audience.
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