How will I teach a Cub?

1. How will I maintain the attention of the Cubs?

2. How will I plan how long something will take, and how will I stay on schedule?

3. What should I do if a Cub is not willing or able to participate?

4. How will I evaluate what the Cub has learned? (Was the lesson effective in reaching its teaching goal?)

5. Once the project is complete, to whom and how will I report the completed requirements?

One “rule of thumb” is that kids can stay on task for only the number of minutes equal to their age + 5 minutes. So, an average 8 year old should not be expected to take part in one activity for more than about 13 minutes without a change or break.

Just like in our Boy Scout meetings, the “best” teaching activities will be hands-on, not lecturing. So if you can minimize the “sitting quietly and listening” and maximize the “doing fun stuff” that is relevant to the topic, you will be better off.

Even if you do need to explain or “lecture” some parts, you can get the Cubs involved by getting them to repeat as a group the important part of what you want them to remember.

Asking questions is good, but some kids will want to tell a very long story in response so be prepared to keep things moving!

1. How will I maintain the attention of the Cubs?

2. How will I plan how long something will take, and how will I stay on schedule?

3. What should I do if a Cub is not willing or able to participate?

4. How will I evaluate what the Cub has learned? (Was the lesson effective in reaching its teaching goal?)

5. Once the project is complete, to whom and how will I report the completed requirements?

If you’re working with a Den during a Den meeting, check with the Den leader on how long you have available. You might want to divide up the activity pin or belt loop requirements into ones that you will do, and ones they need to do at home or on their own.

To stay on schedule you should practice your presentation or activity in advance to know how long it will take, and you might need to have an alarm clock or a parent who can give you feedback on how much time you have left.

1. How will I maintain the attention of the Cubs?

2. How will I plan how long something will take, and how will I stay on schedule?

3. What should I do if a Cub is not willing or able to participate?

4. How will I evaluate what the Cub has learned? (Was the lesson effective in reaching its teaching goal?)

5. Once the project is complete, to whom and how will I report the completed requirements?

Ask the Den Leader or Parent to help the Cub (or to take him to the side if he is causing a distraction). If the Cub is not able to do the activity due to physical limitations (like a broken leg) try to find ways that others can help him do as much as possible. For instance, maybe he can help as a referee for Ultimate Frisbee, even if he can’t run.

1. How will I maintain the attention of the Cubs?

2. How will I plan how long something will take, and how will I stay on schedule?

3. What should I do if a Cub is not willing or able to participate?

4. How will I evaluate what the Cub has learned? (Was the lesson effective in reaching its teaching goal?)

5. Once the project is complete, to whom and how will I report the completed requirements?

Good teaching involves learning, not just that you “went over the material”. Some activities will be easy to tell—for instance, if they need to “participate in a game of ultimate or disc golf” for Ultimate (Frisbee) Belt Loop, and you organized a game that they took part in with you, then you know they have done that. But, for the requirement “explain the rules of ultimate or disc golf” you might need to have a list of rules with a spot to check off when they tell you or the adult.

You should have (as part of the materials you develop), a check-list with the requirements for the award, pin or activity, and need to get the names of all the Cubs taking part. Then as the Cubs complete the activities, you or the Den Leader or parent can check them off.

1. How will I maintain the attention of the Cubs?

2. How will I plan how long something will take, and how will I stay on schedule?

3. What should I do if a Cub is not willing or able to participate?

4. How will I evaluate what the Cub has learned? (Was the lesson effective in reaching its teaching goal?)

5. Once the project is complete, to whom and how will I report the completed requirements?

Your check-list with the names and requirements should be turned in to the Den Leader or adult in charge, at the end of the event. You might also be able to sign off in the Cub’s handbook if the whole thing was completed.