Today, we are going to look at a simulation that occurred last week with scholar age youth, and get feedback from what was realized through this exercise.
If you are a mom with Core or Love of Learning Phase children, sit tight, read up and start asking yourself what you can do to embrace what the future holds.
If you have scholar age youth, I hope you glean inspiration and thought provoking insight.
Regardless of where you are, who you are, or what your station in life currently is, know this…
These are some GREAT young people that give me HOPE in the future!
I firmly believe that we are in good hands, and LOVE the organic approach to the Thomas Jefferson Education process!
If you’re one of the AWESOME scholar age youth in these photos…
Yes!, “You’re REALLY on here today!”
And from me…
the moderator and facilitator of TommyMom…
Know one thing…
YOU ROCK!
The assignment was to research and argue the Dred Scott Decision from both sides of the spectrum.
This involved…
Studying both good and bad forms…
Logic and how it works…
Writing a brief.
Studying what constitutes citizenship…
What it means to be a birthright citizen…
Small group discussion…
Viewing selected YouTube videos…
Discussing what you saw from every possible angle.
Going to the Law Library…
Finding out how to use the resources there to obtain information.
And here we go!…
The big day has arrived.
Selection was deliberate and carefully considered in case more than one scholar age youth from a family was participating…
They were placed on opposing sides.
Openings always consist of a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.
The “Supreme Court Justices” entered the courtroom and the trial began.
You listened to opposing counsel and formulated your rebuttal, knowing that you were both being timed.
An unexpected twist for both sides…
the justices begin to insert questions and interact based on the briefs that they had been given.
Presenting counsel was allowed to seek assistance from within their team…
from individuals that had specialized in specific areas of research that were being challenged.
Those individuals were permitted to present based on their findings as well.
Then the Justices took a recess in order to come to their decision.
The courtroom waited…
The verdict was given, after the Justices returned…
The call was given, “All rise!”…
The Marshall announced the Justices…
And in this particular case…
Dred Scott won, based on the arguments presented!
And now for the bigger question…
“It’s been a grueling month!…Can we go back to being friends?!”
So…
I had the privilege of asking these young people for insights into what they had gleaned from this process…
Would you care to hear?
‘I really appreciated the real life experience. It is very different from just reading about something and processing it on that level.’…
‘The benefits of developing the ability to exercise and practice serious teamwork were amazing. Knowing how to work well with others is invaluable.’…
‘The power of persuasion is, well, …POWERFUL!’…
‘I learned to not let up on the resources that you get from research, because even if it may not look like you’re going to need them at the time…you might.’…
‘In the future, it would be beneficial to study even harder for better application.’…
‘It is very difficult to argue from a perspective that you have absolutely no real point of reference for ! Try as I might, I can’t fathom human slavery on this level; and trying to place myself in a position to have this frame of reference was nearly impossible. It made me that much more grateful for the price that has been paid for my personal freedom.’
From a “Justice” ( M-O-M)…
‘I came in with the perspective of looking at how these kids could’ve been better prepared. As I watched how the other two justices operated, I learned a great deal from them both. I then began to look at how I could have prepared better, based on the information in my brief, so that I could’ve been more effective in my delivery and content as well.’ ( Hmmm…could this be “You, Not Them” in action?!?)
From the mentor…
‘I think that I could’ve been far better prepared myself ‘…
‘I would be really interested to see them participate in a simulation again with a more relevant case…
although the citizenship issues were very relevant and the amount of knowledge that they gained from choosing this case
and studying what constitutes citizenship, was invaluable.’
‘I think all in all, they learned some tremendous skills and abilities from going through this process.’
‘To listen to their small group discussion, leading up to this trial was very fulfilling.’
As TommyMom, I will second that. I couldn’t believe their ability to discuss the different angles of this case..
that seemed somewhat boring and irrelevant on many levels when I was in school!
Did they have fun?
They would tell you yes!
Was it difficult?
Again, yes.
Worth it for what they gained?
Absolutely.
Mission accomplished!…
So, what have you gleaned from this?
Anything you need to research or work on?
What holds you back from this activity in your Leadership Education community?
We’d love to hear, so please share!
What holds me back from having this? Not having the youth who are capable of this yet. We have Love of Learning Phase kids. Many of them are still conveyor belt families. Even my kids could not do the research for something like this, yet. I think it would be fun to have a simulation that LoL kids could watch to get the idea of how much fun it is (even though it is hard). But alas, here isn’t a scholar age group near me (yet).
Good job everyone (hi Deena and Amber!)
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Teri Reply:
March 3rd, 2010 at 11:56 am
@Jody: Well, being privileged enough to have observed this particular simulation; as well as living with two of the “youth” participating, I have a couple of observations that I would welcome further comment on!
I think that as by products of a more conventional conveyor belt model of education, it is very easy to default to the conveyor belt form. We don’t intentionally do it, but after 12-18 years, depending on graduate school, etc. it is second nature.
What struck me by personally being there was the fact that many times I have personally fallen into the trap of waiting for scholar age youth to “do something” or “produce something” or even “get old enough to do it.”
However, if I am to be really honest, what about “You, Not Them?”
I belonged to the National Honor Society had a phenomenal GPA, yet when my kids were doing this research and preparing for this simulation; because we didn’t use these forms in “school”, I found that I had a lot to learn and could glean a tremendous amount from them!
On this note, how dynamic would simulation experiences be, if the parents led out and did the necessary work to model what this could/would look like to the youth, so that we aren’t setting them up to be the “experts”, of which, there are NONE? This is a process and we’re all in this together…working on ourselves!
I often wonder if WE led out and modeled, how much more the community would benefit and how many more relationships would be strengthened within not only our communities, but within our families?
Just thinking out loud!
XO,
Teri ;0)
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Great ideas. There are finally getting to be some more families near me (within an hour and a half) that are starting to get on the TJEd wagon, so to speak. So perhaps we could do an adult simulation some time to give the kids the idea. I’ll pass that on to the others. I have done a couple myself at the TJEd Retreats so have an idea how it works (and have done some younger age simulations/team building activities already with my kids, but nothing they had to prep for like this). This is the kind of thing I want for my kids and am trying to build the community to do it (because after all it is very difficult to do a proper simulation, at least this type, with only two kids, you know?)
Love the out loud thinking – do it all the time myself.
Jody J.
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I also have CORE and LOL kids, but we do have many youth aged kids in my home schooling community. I wonder how I could approach this project? Teri, is there a rough outline of how this is set up and executed? I’m wondering if their are tried and true simulations that work well and what resources you used to put this ‘on its feet?’ Any ‘seed’ would help me.
Joelle
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Teri Reply:
March 3rd, 2010 at 4:05 pm
@Joelle: Excellent questions, Miss Joelle! I want you to know that there are things in the works right now that are going to facilitate answers for you! And they aren’t “pie in the sky, way off” solutions!
XO,
Teri ;0)
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Sounds like an incredible experience! Great for the youth to be able to learn in such an insightful way. These types of ideas are what I’m looking for as I attempt to make my way along the “Leadership Education” path. That would be a great way for adults to learn more about History, too. Fantastic! Teri, you make a great point about how difficult it is to unlearn the model of education we went through. I’m so grateful that my kids, at least, didn’t begin in the conveyor belt way so I have to deal with that transition. I’m also so grateful for this blog and the ideas that so many share to shed light on how we can successfully implement TJED in our homes and be confident about our children getting a quality education. Thanks for sharing.
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My daughter took part in this simulation and I can tell you it was something else to see the many hours she put in to study and prepare. Never before had I witnessed such dedication to research. I loved how she would come to me unsolicited to ask advice on her argument and to just discuss what she had found. I loved being able to support her and finding more resources for her to wade through. My mother in law was particularly impressed when she found out what her granddaughter was doing. What a valuable lesson she learned in teamwork, planning, research, time management,self discipline, law, culture and history. I was impressed with the seriousness in which these scholars took their task and I’m so proud that my daughter is a part of this group.
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What A wonderful TJED Experience!!!
I think as a mentor of Core, occasional LOL students I can use this type of situation NOW — here is my thought, an idea I am stealing by a fellow TJED-er and good friend.
Son wants a new video game system… have son research the system read reviews, shop for best price, accessories, and games – are games appropriate for brother who also will play, what does THIS new system have that others don’t – present info to “judges” – aka parents and see where it leads… the judges decision is final – do you get the system, or not…
This can apply for any purchase, a bike, a game, a trip, etc… and it STARTS the research process so when the children progress into Scholar they can tackle a great Debate such as illustrated here.
Acting out situations, roles, etc is a FABULOUS teaching strategy.
I hope this gives some insite to the Core and LOL families that read TommyMom!
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Christy, I think you have hit the nail on the head so to speak. Fantastic ideas for core and love of learners, actually fantastic skills which will help them be prepared in scholar phase for something like this. Jody, we too are surrounded by many conveyor belt learners, so I understand the frustration, but why not start in your own home with just your own kids? We do it all the time. Whatever the issue is we are discussing I will ask my two sons to defend a particular viewpoint, whether it is their original viewpoint or not. Sometimes there is a shift in opinion and sometimes not, but at least you get to see things from another point of view, which is something I know I need practice at!
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I have loved reading about simulations because that has been on my mind lately as I have been applying and pondering TJED principles-especially YOU not Them. This principle seems key to me in fully implementing and understanding how to inspire my kids to pursue their dreams.
I know when I first became a mom I read all I could on child development, discipline, and anything else a nervous new mom would read. It was not until I was actually put into a situation(or simulation) and had to USE the knowledge I had read did I really internalize it-make it my own. I am a much calmer mom now(LOTS of simulations) and I can now mentor others as they start the path of parenthood.
This journey all started with ME having a desire to be a good mom(mentor), studying everything I can about my chosen topic(Love of Learning), starting to apply the knowledge gained along with learning useful skills(Scholar), continuing to hone my skills and knowledge, sharing it with others, mentoring them(Depth), and eventually I will have influence upon my grandchildren and their children(Impact).
I am starting to see that simulations are a vital part to understanding and internalizing what is being learned. Maybe we are going through many more simulations in our lives that we might not even be aware of. Perhaps we don’t need to “create” many simulations as we think?
I am building a community around me which is all fairly new to TJED and one thing that has struck me again and again is that building a community comes back to relationships. A community or co-op or whatever you want to call it cannot survive well if the main goal or purpose is to teach or make your child learn something. Unless there is some sort of adult and family friendships/relationships it usually will fail.
What people, at least around here, want is support and friendships. This is what everyone is hungry for, something they feel THEY(the moms)need but won’t put themselves first for whatever reason. For this reason I am really trying to have everyone catch the vision of YOU not Them. I have found at least for me and others that once they embrace principle half of the other questions on “how” to do TJED fall away.
Thanks for reading my long comment and helping me think out loud. I like to do that too.
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Amber and Teri I have to agree that YOU NOT THEM is most important! I am finally getting into a study groove myself- and I’m learning so much! I’ve recently had a couple people call me “knowledgeable”- which was a complete shocker for me! And it’s not that I’m all that knowledgeable, but in the areas that I am focused on I’m achieving some depth- depth that I’ve never had before…and it feels good! I’m getting a chance to mentor others. You don’t get that depth from a conveyor belt education.
And there’s no magic or secret solution to how to gain that depth. It’s just study, study, study, question, discuss with others (sometimes having to defend your position and study more so that you have more knowledge to defend your position with), and write what you are learning. Somehow that writing part just cements things in your brain. It makes all the difference- I need to do more of it.
What a wonderful opportunity for growth that simulation must have been. To learn how to get that kind of depth at that age is priceless!
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It takes time to build a thriving scholar community, and the best time to start is before you need one (IMHO). It has been more than six years for us. We started by having a colloquium once a month with about four families. Then I attended some summer mentor trainings and combined that with what I had already learned from other places to offer some courses. I put out an invitation, and 10 people attended the first sessions, 12 the next; I connected with a fabulous Shakespeare teacher, and here we are. BTW, some of these young people initially thought that they couldn’t do the assignment either, but they put their trust in the process and performed at their personal best. I was pleased with the results.
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I have had the opportunity to participate in 3 simulations as an adult. Wow! I learned a lot about myself—a strength I did not know I possessed and weaknesses that I realized I needed to improve. I also came to realize there are certain situations I do better in than others. Better understanding oneself is a powerful tool. In addition, I gained insight to roles and situations that others have been placed in actual life. Their role is not as easy as it may appear on the outside.
Just yesterday, I spoke with an 82 year old man who has preached in all 50 states and in other countries. He told me that most children’s Bible classes he has seen are a joke. The reason? A lack of application. He stated he has seen children come through 12 years of Bible classes with maybe a few Bible facts, but no tie to daily living. Does that sound like the typical conveyor belt education? For those of us who believe in God, this has a broader impact than just this world. It is eternal.
What does this have to do with simulations? It is about teaching the application—it is about embedding the HOWS and not just the WHATS.
Last night, my family joined another family to study Ken Sande’s Peacemaker series. We role played situations using Biblical principles. From the core, through scholar learner, to adult, we thought about possible solutions and consequences for taking certain courses of actions and then acted it out. Powerful? Absolutely! Impactful? You bet! Now hopefully these children will choose the right path if they ever find themselves in these scenarios. This, in my opinion, is the advantage and necessity of simulations.
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I am completely sold on the importance and impact of simulations in the educating of our children. As I was reading Amber’s comment, I had a funny thought: that old adage that we were all perfect parents before we had children!! I think this concept is applicable for most of life situations: We all have preconceived notions about what we would do in a certain situation (i.e. If my child throws a temper tantrum in the grocery store, I would calmly and lovingly hold him in my arms until it passed.) But until we are actually physically/ mentally/ and emotionally go though the experience, we can’t know how we would really react (i.e. I am now dragging screaming child out of grocery store thinking and perhaps saying some not very nice things to him.:)) That is the power of simulations- they allow us to employ all of our physical and emotional senses to experience a certain situation. Then to go back and analyze the difference between what we thought we would say/feel/do and what we actually did becomes a powerful learning tool both about the situation but more importantly about ourselves.
!
The suggestion that Amber made about maybe going through more simulations all around us than we realize is a very interesting idea, isn’t it? Maybe we are not availing ourselves of the many learning opportunities that are naturally created as we go about our daily lives? This led to a small spiritual epiphany for me. What if I looked at my trials and challenges as simulations- preparation for larger things to come? What if I saw them as learning opportunities that a loving God was generously giving me to help me learn and grow and prepare for the mission He has envisioned for me? How’s that for YOU NOT THEM! Thanks for all the comments. I am grateful for each of them. Have an awesome day and if you know of anyone who wants to attend a F2F #1 April 9&10 in Temecula, steer them in my direction and I would be happy to get them registered
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i just wanted to add a postscript. We started our oral exams today and will finish them next week. Of the five students who were examined today, four of them stressed that preparing for the simulation has been their favorite part of the class so far. They appreciated that they had to go search for what was important and then present the information in a way that would persuade others. This was not a “read and repeat back” type of assignment. There was not a clear-cut path to travel, and some had to argue a position that they did not support personally. As Teri noted above, I will do some things differently the next time I mentor this class, but it is obvious that the lessons learned were worth the frustrations suffered. (It goes without saying that I have an AWESOME group of students.)
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