The Art of Teaching KidsThe Art of Teaching Kids(And Crusty Old Codgers)(And Crusty Old Codgers)

By: Jeff Goodwin, Ph.D. By: Jeff Goodwin, Ph.D. State 4-H Director, CSUState 4-H Director, CSU

PowerPoint by: Kelly Fisk, M.A.PowerPoint by: Kelly Fisk, M.A.WSU Kitsap County WSU Kitsap County

4-H Youth Development Educator4-H Youth Development Educator

ABCABC ABC = Basics of any programABC = Basics of any program AAbility of bility of BBalance with alance with CChallengehallenge Student = y-axis Student = y-axis Challenge = x-axisChallenge = x-axis Graph adapted from Lev Vygotsky, 1978, Mind in Society, Cambridge, MA, Harvard University PressGraph adapted from Lev Vygotsky, 1978, Mind in Society, Cambridge, MA, Harvard University Press

TSITSI T – Tell me, I forgetT – Tell me, I forget

S – Show me, I rememberS – Show me, I remember

I – Involve me, I understand I – Involve me, I understand

TSI, cont.TSI, cont.

Have you ever attended a boring lecture?Have you ever attended a boring lecture? More involved = more effectiveMore involved = more effective SENSES = LearningSENSES = Learning ExperiencesExperiences

Focus Focus KIDS!KIDS! Adults – broad frame of referenceAdults – broad frame of reference Incoming freshmen’s frame of mindIncoming freshmen’s frame of mind

Bottle caps have always been screw off and plastic.Bottle caps have always been screw off and plastic. They are too young to remember the space shuttle blowing up.They are too young to remember the space shuttle blowing up. Popcorn has always been cooked in the microwave.Popcorn has always been cooked in the microwave. They do not care who shot J.R. and have no idea who J.R. even They do not care who shot J.R. and have no idea who J.R. even

is.is. Their lifetime has always included AIDS.Their lifetime has always included AIDS. The expression “you sound like a broken record” means nothing The expression “you sound like a broken record” means nothing

to them.to them. 1998 Beloit College, WI1998 Beloit College, WI

Focus cont. Focus cont. Even younger frame of mind Even younger frame of mind

I’ve learned that if you spread the peas out on your I’ve learned that if you spread the peas out on your plate it looks like you ate more – age 6plate it looks like you ate more – age 6

I’ve learned that you should never jump out of a I’ve learned that you should never jump out of a second story window using a sheet for a parachute – second story window using a sheet for a parachute – age 10age 10

I’ve learned that you can’t hide a piece of broccoli in a I’ve learned that you can’t hide a piece of broccoli in a glass of milk – age 7glass of milk – age 7

I’ve learned that when I wave at people in the country I’ve learned that when I wave at people in the country they stop what they are doing and wave back – age 9they stop what they are doing and wave back – age 9

I’ve learned that girls sweat just as much as boys – I’ve learned that girls sweat just as much as boys – age 11age 11

TMTM Any guesses?Any guesses? T – TeachableT – Teachable M – MomentsM – Moments Setting trap – plannedSetting trap – planned

POINT IS MADE!POINT IS MADE!

TM cont.TM cont.

What does this represent?What does this represent? Allow kids to screw up!Allow kids to screw up! Many life-long lessons learned are learned from Many life-long lessons learned are learned from

mistakes.mistakes.

Meaning of picture above?Meaning of picture above? ““Leave them on a high point”Leave them on a high point” Don’t pull out the best at the beginningDon’t pull out the best at the beginning

If you pull out the best trick during the first 10 min., the last 50 If you pull out the best trick during the first 10 min., the last 50 min. will be BORING!min. will be BORING!

Conclude with best!Conclude with best! Leave them talking their way home and coming back for more.Leave them talking their way home and coming back for more.

De-briefDe-brief Dr. Goodwin’s storyDr. Goodwin’s story Tremendous job Tremendous job

teaching but failing to teaching but failing to discussdiscuss

Teaching always Teaching always needs a good needs a good conclusion and de-conclusion and de-briefingbriefing

FUN!!!FUN!!! No fun = not as effective No fun = not as effective Realize full potentialRealize full potential You don’t want to be alone at your next You don’t want to be alone at your next

meeting?meeting?

Questions?Questions?