From: "Katie Baron" Subject: Special Daisy Girl Scout Issue - Issue #276 Part 2 of 2 Date: Sunday, August 08, 2004 4:50 PM Special Daisy Girl Scout Issue - Issue #276 Part 2 of 2 Scouting Links Newsletter - August 8, 2004 >>ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS & PATCHES FOR DAISIES Additional programs can be found at http://www.girlscouts.org/program/gs_central/insignia/list/, including: GirlSports Ms. President American Volkssport Program Water Drop Patch Our Rights, Our Responsibilities Check with your local Council. Most offer special “Council’s Own” patches for the girls to work on. Other council’s may also have programs that are appropriate for Daisies. Contact the council in question first to make sure they are willing to share. Suppose you’re would like to do a program about Native Americans. How do you find out about Council’s Own programs from other councils? Put a note in the Scouting Links Newsletter! Religious Awards - Most religions have their own award for Girl Scouts. Religious Awards should not be worked on within a troop if the troop is religiously diverse. Each religion has it’s own set of requirements for their awards. You can check out the religious awards at: http://www.ptgirlscouts.org/religrec.htm http://www.nps.gov/learn/grrangerzone/ranger.htm - National Parks Service Junior Ranger Program http://www.servicetoamerica.org/beta/girlscouts/gsusaindex.html - National Park Service's Service to America patch honors Girl Scouts who have completed 12 hours of service for the National Park Service. http://www.zinkthezebra.org/dnav/48/page.htm - Zink the Zebra for Daisy Girl Scouts http://www.flatstanleyproject.com/girl-scouts.htm - Flat Stacie Project for Girl Scouts/Girl Guides Looking for supplemental, earned, patches for your troop? Want more than just a “fun” patch? Check out http://www.patchworkdesigns.net/patchprograms.htm Programs Include: Historically Speaking: Juliette Low Community Service Free to be Me Groovy Scouting Discovering Marine Life Princess Scout - Building Self Esteem and Respect for Others Safari Adventure Scrapbooking Historically Speaking Countries: Australia, China, Egypt, England, France, Germany, Greece, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Switzerland, USA Historically Speaking States: Alabama, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington D.C., West Virginia * * Please note that these award patches are not official GSUSA and should be worn on the back of the tunic. Looking for “Fun Patches” for an event or activity? Check out these sites! Please remember that “Fun Patches” belong on the back of the Daisy tunic. http://www.gsmwvc.org/TradingPost.html - GSUSA Fun Patches http://www.patchandpin.com/ - Best prices for custom patches http://www.gopatch.com/ - Sunshine Patch & Emblem http://www.patchcorner.com/ - Patch Corner http://www.design-it.com - Design It Patch Catalog http://www.patchworkdesigns.net - Patchworks http://www.memory-patches.com/alphabetical_listing_of_all_yout.htm - Activity Patches http://www.welshind.com/gsusa.htm http://www.patchcon.com/cgibin/start.cgi/store/welcome.html http://www.historicallyspeaking.net/patchprogramscountries.htm - Countries http://www.historicallyspeaking.net/patchprogramsstates.htm - States http://www.historicallyspeaking.net/communityservice.htm - Community Service Patch http://www.memory-patches.com/ - patches from historical monuments, parks, etc http://www.careplus.com/emblemsfp.htm - custom patches http://accentincorporated.com/ce.html http://www.advantageemblem.com/ http://www.littleawards.com/littleawards/ * * CRAFTS * * 1. Girl Scout Law Friendship Bracelet - Make a Friendship Bracelet out of beads and yarn, elastic or plastic lacing, but use the colors associated with the Girl Scout Law that are in the Daisy activity book (for the petals they earn when they learn the Law). Med Blue = The Promise, Lt Blue = Honest & Fair, Yellow = Friendly & Helpful, Lt Green = Considerate & Caring, Red = Courageous & strong, Orange = Responsible for what I say and do, Purple = Respect myself & others, Magenta = Respect authority, Forest Green = Use resources wisely, Rose = Make the world a better place and Violet = Be a sister to every Girl Scout 2. Puzzle Piece Picture Frame - You need a frame, either pre-made or made out of craft sticks. Take an old puzzle with small pieces and paint them. Glue them around the frame. Make little banners that say “I Love You To Pieces!” to glue to the bottom. 3. This is a craft simple enough for Daisies, but pretty enough for the older girls. Supplies: Glass jar (baby food jar is fine) Colored tissue paper school glue cup of water (very small amount) paintbrush (small) Rip tissue into very small bits. Mix glue and water in a cup. "Paint" on to jar, apply tissue bits, paint over tissue, and YOU ARE DONE! Use this for a candle holder, money holder, anything! Maybe use it for a ceremony (ie, Daisy investiture). Here are some of my favorite craft sites: http://www.makingfriends.com - Craft ideas & supplies for scouts, etc. http://www.makingfriends.com/scouts/daisy_scrapbook.htm - A whole year of meeting plans, projects and crafts just for Daisies! http://www.makingfriends.com/scouts/scouts_daisy.htm http://www.kidsdomain.com/craft/index.html - Craft from Kids Domain http://www.oriental.com - Oriental Trading has lots of very inexpensive craft kits http://www.makestuff.com/index.html - Make Stuff - It’s got great craft ideas! http://www.kid-at-art.com/ - Creative ways to recycle by making art http://dcrafts.com/kidscraftsp1.htm - A Craft A Day for Kids http://guidezone.e-guiding.com/i_kd_crafts.htm http://www.allcrafts.net/kids.htm#freeprojects - Free Kids Craft Projects http://www.recipegoldmine.com/crafts/crafts.html - Crafts http://www.justkidsrecipes.com/index.shtml - If you need the recipe for slime, cinnamon dough, face paints, bubble solution, etc. this is the place to find it! http://www.earlychildhood.com/crafts/index.cfm - Craft Index http://www.allcrafts.net/ - Free craft patterns, kits, etc. http://rubyglen.com/crafts.htm - Free Craft Patterns and Projects http://www.craftfreebies.com/ - Craft Freebies http://childfun.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=544 http://www.epilogsys.com/scoutingweb/Training/Products.htm - An amazing list of product links for everything leaders need….or just want! * * * SERVICE WITH A SMILE * * * Make cards for a veteran's hospital, children’s hospital, nursing home, etc. They can always use a bit of cheer. Practice holiday songs and head to one of the places above and sing a holiday program. Yes, Daisy's can do this with help from parents. Have each girl donate a sweatshirt or mittens, wrap them and present them to a crisis center or unwed mother's home. Clean up at the school/church/building where you meet. Service Project Web Sites: http://www.usaweekend.com/diffday/index.html - Every 4th Saturday in October is "Make a Difference Day". I encourage all troops to join others everywhere to make a difference on this day. Don't forget to register your event. With the Girl Scout year starting Oct. 1, Make A Difference Day comes pretty quick! My troop has participated for the last 7 years, so I know that it’s never too early to start planning!! http://www.colorasmile.org/ - Color A Smile collects crayon drawings from school children. Every month these “masterpieces” are mailed to people all over the country. Recipients include senior citizens, people who are sick, people who have been in accidents, people who just need a smile! http://www.kidscare.org/kidscare/index.htm - A great source of service project ideas! http://bottlesofhope.org/ - Bottles of Hope, a service project to support cancer patients http://www.makeachildsmile.org/ - Make A Child Smile - This is a great service project idea. Send a card to a kid with a life threatening illness http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pointe/9385/service.htm - Service Project Ideas http://coy.ne.client2.attbi.com/ServiceProjects.html - 350 Service Project Ideas for Kids http://www.volunteering.org.uk/ - Find out how you can volunteer in the UK The Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network - http://www.1800volunteer.org Do something - http://www.dosomething.org/ Servenet - http://www.servenet.org Youth volunteer corps of America - http://www.yvca.org/ http://www.forgirlsandtheirdreams.org/difference.htm Focus America - http://www.focusamerica.org >>SONGS FOR DAISIES The Girl Scout Law (to the tune of “Home on the Range”) I will do-oo my best (Oh give me a home) to be Honest and Fair, (where the buffalo roam) Friendly and He-e-elpful. (and the deer and the antelope play) Considerate and Caring (Where seldom is heard) Courageous and Strong (a discouraging word) And responsible for what I say and do. (and the skies are not cloudy all day.) and to Respect myself and others (Home, home on the range) Respect author-i-teee (yee hah!) (where the deer and the antelope play -- yee hah!) Use Resources wisely, (where seldom is heard) Make the world a better place (a discouraging word) and be a sister to every Girl Scout! (and the skies are not cloudy all day) = = = = = = == = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = I’m A Daisy Girl Scout - Sing to the tune of “I'm a Little Teapot” I'm a Daisy standing tall (stand tall) I'm a Daisy, friend to all (wave to friends) I'm a Daisy, helping every day (hands out, palms up) Living my life in the Girl Scout way (give Girl Scout sign) OR I'm a little Daisy (hands together, at side of face, head tilted) dressed in blue (hands pick up hem of uniform smock) I am a Girl Scout (make 3 fingered sign) you are too (point to neighbor) When I go to meetings (hands out, palms up) I sing and shout (hands cup around mouth) I love being a Daisy Girl Scout (point to heart) = = = = = = == = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = I'm A Girl Scout (Tune Frere Jacque) I'm a Girl Scout. I'm a Girl Scout. Who are you? Who are you? Can't you tell by looking? Can't you tell by looking? I'm one too. I'm one too. = = = = = = == = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Daisy Happy Face (Sing to the tune of the Brownie Smile Song) I have something in my little hand that you just cannot see. It's something very special and it's now a part of me. The Daisy Girl Scouts showed me how to put it into place, And when I clap my little hand, you'll see my HAPPY FACE! = = = = = = == = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = You Ever See A Daisy (Tune Did you ever see a Lassie) Did you ever see a Daisy, a Daisy, a Daisy? Did you ever see a Daisy, a Daisy Girl Scout? Go this way and that way, and that way and this way. Did you ever see a Daisy, a Daisy Girl Scout? = = = = = = == = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = I’m A Daisy, Daisy Girl Scout Song (Tune Clementine) I'm a Daisy, Daisy Girl Scout And I'll tell you something too, I'm a loyal lil' Girl Scout, And my color is true blue = = = = = = == = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Earning Daisy Petals - to the tune of Old McDonald: Now it's time for sharing time and earning Daisy Petals. It's fun to be here with my friends and earn a Daisy petal. (name of child 1)___'s here, (name of child 2) ___'s here, There is (name of child 3), there is (name of child 4) It's fun to be here with my friends and earn a Daisy petal! repeat using 4 more girl's names. = = = = = = == = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = DAISY CLEAN UP SONG (Tune- Jingle Bells) Leader: Daisy Scouts, Daisy Scouts. Let's tidy up the room. Daisy Scouts, Daisy Scouts. Time to go home soon. Girls: Daisy Scouts, Daisy Scouts, We're picking up our things. Daisy Scouts, Daisy Scouts, Hear our voices sing. Need more songs? Check out these web sites: http://www.geocities.com/EnchantedForest/Glade/8851/songs7.htm http://www.notascout.net/songs/ - Words and MP3’s of Girl Scout Songs! >>GAMES and ACTIVITIES What Time is it Mister Wolf It stands at one end of the playing area. The rest at the other end. One location is designated safe. The group calls out "What time is it Mr. Wolf?" and It (the wolf) says a time, i.e. 3 o'clock. The group take three giant steps forward. This continues until the group is close to the wolf. When the group says "what time is it" the wolf will answer, "time for dinner", that is the cue for the group to run to the safe place, the wolf tries to catch someone. Whoever is caught becomes the new wolf. Islands Equipment: newspaper Spread out several sheets of newspaper scattered on the floor of the playing area. These are the Islands. Players are to roam around the playing area until the leader yell "shark". Then the players must get on an Island, their feet can't touch the floor. At another signal they roam the playing area again and the leader takes away one of the Islands. Play continues until only one Island is left. It's great fun to see lots of Sparks crammed onto one sheet of paper. Be sure to tell them that co- operation is the key to this game. Different Ways Everyone lines up side by side at one end of the playing area. The leader stands at a designated spot towards the other end. Players take turns making their way to the leader. The special rule is, no one can travel the same way. Some times you'll need to give them an idea but most are quite creative. Examples of ways to travel: run, hop, skip, crawl, crab walk, walk backwards, walk sideways. Our girls just love this game and will usually go back the other way while still not duplicating a method of travel. Jail - A game to learn their promise One player is IT and someone, usually a leader is the JAILER. This is a game of tag, when IT catches you, you go to the Jailer and have to recite your promise to get out of jail. A very simple game, good for the beginning of the year. Undercover Divide the group into two. One group leaves the room. The second group picks someone and covers them with a blanket. The first group comes back in and has to guess who is missing. We give three chances. Then the groups switch. Our girls really like this game. They try to fool the others by placing more than one under the blanket. They've also put a leader under and had two girls hide to fool the others. People to People Pair everyone up. The leader calls out directions like, elbow to elbow, knee to knee or hand to foot. The pair does the action called. When the leader calls, "people to people" everyone runs to get a new partner. Touch Blue Leader yells out directions and the girls run and do it. We often do this game with a color theme. Sometimes everyone runs to the same object. Sometime they go to different ones. You could use this with almost any theme by changing the things they touch. >>Submitted by Carol Lee, mailto:clspages@earthlink.net Seven Daisies in a Week Supplies: Make a large poster board daisy for each girl to hold. On each daisy, print the appropriate day of the week (e.g.: SUN-DAISY). SUN-DAISY: My name is Sun-Daisy, And we're here to speak About Juliette Low And Girl Scout week. Just before the Civil War Juliette was born In Savannah, Georgia One October morn. MON-DAISY: Daisy was her nickname Throughout her living days. She loved games and writing And performing in plays. When Daisy grew up, She began the Girl Guides. Her first troop was in Scotland With seven girls by her side. TUES-DAISY: Daisy sailed to America; March 12 was the day She started a troop Called Girl Scouts U.S.A. Eighteen girls met with Daisy Very eager to start To make uniforms and badges Each doing her part. WEDNES-DAISY Juliette spoke the Law For all Girl Scouts to learn And told of requirements For badges they could earn. The troop went on hikes Along nature trails Watching birds of all kinds And recording details. THURS-DAISY: Sports were important To keep the girls fit. Basketball was the first game To become a big hit. Daisy told the girls of camping Under stars shining bright. Destination-Camp Lowlands The first Girl Scout campsite. FRI-DAISY: For the rest of her life Daisy spread the word 'round To millions of girls In town after town. Shortly after her death A World Friendship fund began To honor this grand lady And her work through the land. SATUR-DAISY: Each year we join In a friendship celebration With Girl Scouts 'round the world And with great dedication. We'll remember Juliette Low Of whom we will speak, For we're proud to be Girl Scouts Each day of the week. * * * Here are some game web sites to check out: http://www.gameskidsplay.net/ - Games Kids Play http://www.geocities.com/gsgreenneck/games.html - Games for Girl Scouts http://www.geocities.com/gsgreenneck/coopgames.html - Cooperative Games http://www.scoutingweb.com/scoutingweb/Program/Games.htm - Games for Girl Scouts http://youthpastor.com/games/ - An index of over 300 games http://coy.ne.client2.attbi.com/LinksLibrary.html#Games - Village Links Library Games http://puzzlemaker.school.discovery.com/index.html - Puzzlemaker - Create and print customized word search, crossword and math puzzles using your word lists Also, check out “Games for Girl Scouts”, published by GSUSA. Your local Council Shop should carry it. >>Pen Pal/Mascot Exchange Websites: http://www.makingfriends.com/friends/f_make.htm - Friends Across America http://guidezone.e-guiding.com/i_bh_mascots.htm http://www.flatstanleyproject.org/index.htm - The Official Flat Stanley Project Web Site >>LEADER RESOURCE WEB SITES http://www.scoutinglinks.com - Thousands of links related to Girl Scouts/Guides! Councils, Service Units, Troops, Leader Resources, Campfire Recipes, Ceremonies, Crafts and More! And a search feature that makes finding what you need easy! http://www.girlscouts.org - The main web page for Girl Scouts USA http://www.girlscouts.org/for_adults/leader_magazine/ - GSUSA's Leader Magazine online http://www.gogirlsonly.org - For girls 5-11 http://www.neighborhood13-1.com/uniform_adult_blouse.htm - Pin Placement for Adults http://www.neighborhood13-1.com/troop_news_generator.htm http://www.neighborhood13-1.com/troop_calendar_generator.htm http://www.neighborhood13-1.com/what_to_bring-gen.htm http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pointe/9385/new-lead.htm - New Leader Tips http://www.neighborhood13-1.com/troop_leader_planner.htm - Print your own Troop Leader Planner http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pointe/9385/meetings.htm - Troop Meeting Planner http://brownies368.tripod.com/leader.html#downloads - Lots of help to get organized http://jenefer.speedyweb.com/daisyhelps.shtml - Daisy Girl Scout Help Site http://members.cox.net/southgansett/resources/daisy.html - Just for Daisies http://www.geocities.com/alamitosmarina/dsylinks.html - Links for Daisies http://www.geocities.com/ivsugirlscouts/daisy.htm http://www.scoutingweb.com/ScoutingWeb/Daisy.htm - Daisy Resources http://www.epilogsys.com/scoutingweb/Documents/4mtgDaisy.pdf - Plans for the First 4 Daisy Meetings http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pointe/9385/meetings.htm#daisy - Another plan for the first 4 Daisy meetings http://neighborhood13-1.com/GS_Week_Activity_Sheets.htm - Girl Scout Week Activity Sheets http://www.geocities.com/ags_resource_center/ - AGS Resource Center http://dani1989.150m.com/book/index.html - Girl Scout Law Coloring Book http://www.fortunecity.com/millennium/puppet/989/ipc/ - Instant Program Cards http://www.kidslist.uc.edu/kidslist/wagggs.html - TONS of links http://coy.ne.client2.attbi.com/LinksLibrary.html#Badge - Links for All Levels http://www.geocities.com/junior2513/index.html - Girl Scout Leaders Group http://hometown.aol.com/GSMomJoann/FavoriteURLsIndex.html - More Tons of links! http://hackleylibrary.org/scoutlnk.htm - Web Sites for Scouts (GSUSA & BSA) http://home.cfl.rr.com/scoutingseasons - Seasonal resources for Girl Scouts http://abe.midco.net/mpkrog1/GSlinks.htm - Favorite GS Links http://coy.ne.client2.attbi.com/ - Sandy's World of Girl Scouting http://www.greenoaks2001.org/leader_resource_page.htm - Leader Resource Page http://www.angelfire.com/ct/cgrob123/ - Robinson’s Cyber Station - This is a site that you’ll use again and again! It has GS poems, recipes, stories, leader tips, and more, more! http://guidezone.e-guiding.com/ - Great resource for songs, games, crafts, inspirations, etc. It is a compilation of information submitted by Guiders and Scouters from around the world. http://www.geocities.com/gsgreenneck/scouthome.html - Sarah’s Scout Haven - Leader info, Badge/IPP Links, Games, Thinking Day, Ceremonies and more! http://www.scoutingweb.com/scoutingweb/ - Scouting Web http://home.comcast.net/~gs_leaders_camp/ - Girl Scout Leaders Camp http://home.comcast.net/~gs_leaders_camp/LH_contents.htm - Leaders Helper http://www.geocities.com/suarezgfam/On_My_Honor.html - Leader Resources http://web.archive.org/web/20020403111729/http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Grove/6610/ - Leader Emporium http://store.yahoo.com/marcoproducts/freetips.html - developing self-esteem activities, behavior games, career exploration, planning a cultural day, etc. http://www.citrus-gs.org/Manuals/money%20management.htm - Money Management for Girl Scouts http://www.ntguides.com/resources.htm - Instant Meetings for Sparks http://www.girlguides.ca/guider/ - Canadian Guider Magazine online Want to know what NOT to do with your troop? Check out “How to Kill A Scout Troop” at http://library.chsscout.net/Serious_Adult_Stuff/article-65-page-one.shtml Looking for graphics to spice up your newsletters? Check out these sites! Note: To save a graphic, right click the picture and then click on “Save Image As”. Make sure you save it where you can find it again! http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Hills/6073/girlscouts/icons.htm http://www.scoutingweb.com/scoutingweb/Training/Graphics.htm http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Valley/5170/clipart.html - UK Guiding Clip Art http://www.azmetro.com/gsclipart.html http://www.graphmaster.org/ http://www.epilogsys.com/scoutingweb/SubPages/SWGraph.htm http://www.kidsdomain.com/clip/ http://scouter.com/compass/graphics_and_clipart/girl_scout_graphics/ http://www.webplaces.com/search/ - Clip Art Search Engine http://www.barrysclipart.com/ http://www.coolarchive.com/clipart.cfm http://www.1clipart.com/ http://www.clipsahoy.com/index2.html ========================================================== Girl Scout Ways and Traditions ========================================================== >>Submitted by Shari GIRL SCOUT SIGN - This special sign is made with the middle three fingers of the right hand raised and the little finger held down by the thumb. The three fingers stand for the three parts of the Promise. Give the sign when you say the Promise, are invested, receive Try-Its or Badges, or as a way to greet other Girl Scouts. GIRL SCOUT HANDSHAKE - The Girl Scout handshake is the formal way Girl Scouts greet each other. Shake hands with your left hand while giving the Girl Scout sign with your right hand. The left hand is closest to your heart, which signifies friendship. QUIET SIGN - Use the quiet sign to get everyone's attention. Raise right hand high. When others see you, they raise their hands and are quiet too. "When your hand goes up, your mouth goes shut. " Note that the official quiet sign is NOT the right hand raised in the GS sign, but an open hand. This tradition goes back to when the fifth Girl Scout Law was "to be courteous." However, many scouts today use the right hand raised while making the Girl Scout sign and that is acceptable as well. TALKING SIGN - When you have something to say, make the Girl Scout Sign with the right hand and touch your fingers to the floor . FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE - The friendship circle can be used to close a troop meeting, activity, or ceremony. It stands for the unbroken chain of friendship with Girl Scouts around the world. Stand in a circle. Each person crosses her arms right over left and holds her neighbor's hands. Everyone is quiet. To get out of the friendship circle, raise right hand over head, and while still holding hands, duck under and out, saying, "Good night, Girl Scouts!". FRIENDSHIP SQUEEZE - One person in the friendship circle starts the friendship squeeze. When you feel your hand squeezed, you do the same (gently) to the person next to you. Everyone is silent as the friendship squeeze is passed (or you may pass the squeeze while singing "Taps" or another closing song. The squeeze stands for friendship with Girl Scouts everywhere. If you like, as the squeeze is passed, each person puts out their right foot into the circle. That way, you can watch the squeeze making it's way around the circle. DAISY CIRCLE, BROWNIE RING - The special circle where Daisies or Brownies sit to plan and talk. Sit on the floor or in chairs/sit-upons in a circle. In order to get into a Brownie ring, leader may take the hand of a girl, and other girls grab on. Leader starts walking eventually to form a circle while saying: Round and round and round about, take the hand of a Brownie Scout. Here we are in the Brownie Ring, Ready for 'most anything! GIRL SCOUT MOTTO - The motto is the same as the Boy Scout motto: Be Prepared. In early troops, there was actually a secret password used to enter the room where meetings were held: it is Deraperp Eb (Be Prepared backwards!) GIRL SCOUT SLOGAN - The slogan is "Do A Good Turn Daily." GIRL SCOUT PIN - The pin has the shape of a trefoil. Trefoil means three leaves. The leaves of the pin stand for the three parts of the Girl Scout Promise. GIRL SCOUT UNIFORM - The uniform shows everyone we belong to the Girl Scouts of the USA. We take pride in wearing it and we are expected to live up to the standards of Girl Scouting when we have it on. >>Girl Scout Traditions Websites: http://scoutingweb.com/scoutingweb/Traditions/ScoutTraditions.htm http://www.main.org/gsusa/tradition.htm http://www.geocities.com/stlukesgirlscouts/Traditions.html ========================================================== * * * Behavior Management aka "How do I control all these little girls?" * * * ========================================================== Having trouble keeping control in your meetings? Are girls running wild? Parents in the way? Read on for some great advice! >>Submitted by Diane What I have had troops do in the past that meet in the gym/cafeteria with a stage is we put the yellow barrier tape up and said that they weren't allowed to go past that point. It sort of put "walls" up around the meeting area. We just tied the yellow barrier tape onto the backs of folding chairs. Also, I have heard that another troop went to a carpet store and got old samples for the girls to sit on on the floor and when they were done they always had to go and sit on their carpet square (these girls were daisies and it seemed to work with them, plus they sat more still the leader said. Another thought, is to have each parent sign up for a meeting as a helper and their task would be to keep the girls in the appropriate meeting area. Maybe the parent would also see their daughter act up and help with the situation (by making the girl behave). If there are girls that just won't follow directions, I see no reason why you can't enlist the parent to help and explain to them their daughter's behavior and ask them to talk to the girl and if she still doesn't listen then I would tell the parent they must attend the meeting to deal with the girl's behavior so that you can concentrate on the entire troop. >>Submitted by Joni The old saying is - you can catch more flies with honey then with vinegar. Well I guess we can say - you can catch more Daisies with prizes than with reprimands. I would definitely do a few things with this...... First - address the whole troop. Have a serious talk time. Let them know that we have a troop issue and you need their help to find a fix. Explain that the school is upset because sometimes the girls play on the stage. The troop could loose it's meeting place and then we couldn't have any fun at all! Also let them know that we are not being sisters to every Girl Scout because our loud playing is disrupting the other troop. Tell them you are not sure how to fix it and ask for their suggestions. As they start calling stuff out - write it ALL down on a board or paper. Then start to form a list of rules and consequences based on what they say - use their language. You can even expand it to include all kinds of other troop rules if you feel something else needs attention too. Most important - make it a kaper for one of the girls to do (or just be sure to do it your self) - have the lists hung up at every meeting. Remind them that we all agreed on these rules - at every meeting. They should be more inclined to follow the rules if they think they made them up. Makes them feel like it is their group, not your group. Second - I would institute some kind of positive reinforcement program. There are a variety of ways to do this, but the main point is - catch them doing something right and reward that. Ignore those who are not doing right or remind those that they won't get such and such if they continue or promptly enforce whatever consequences (call the mom, sit out for 5 min, etc) and then go right back to the troop. Don't allow those girls to interrupt the fun. Eventually they will come around. Ideas for the positive reinforcement - 1. Light a candle at the beginning of them meeting, leave it lit as they are being good, when one starts being bad, quietly blow it out, re-light as you see fit, when it burns down to a marked line, they get a treat/party/etc. 2. Scout bucks (beads, tokens, beans, etc.) Have a short list of good behavior to be rewarded and a dollar amount (bead amount, etc). At each meeting, hand out the fake dollars the good girls have earned. Every so often have a troop store with little prizes they can buy with their dollars. Some people make fake money on their computer, use monopoly money, collect beads or beans in a film canister, string beads on a necklace - there are all kinds of ways to do this one. 3.Use the blue spot - this is like time out, but different because there is no set time limit and the girls can take the timeout if they want it. Laminate a blue piece of construction paper (can be as elaborate as you would like) and whenever someone is getting rowdy, quietly hand them the blue spot. They are to then move away from the group and sit on it until they feel they can continue. Girls can request the spot if they need a moment to themselves. Even the leader occasionally could use a blue spot moment to collect her thoughts. Third - make it a troop rule that there are no "moms" when you are in troop time. Every adult is Mr. or Mrs. whoever. Every child gets the same treatment from every adult. Easiest way to do this.......... make it be a troop rule that no adult deals with their own daughter. I know that sounds harsh, but most kids are Jekyl and Hyde when it comes to being around their parents. Be sure the kids know that they should go to another adult if they need help or have a question. And if they forget, have the parent nicely ask the child to go see so-and-so about that. Most often I will call to the other adult - Mrs. Nyce, can you help my Jessica with this? She needs a hand. Mrs. Nyce knows that means I need her to handle my daughter. I trust her and know she will handle the issue fairly. One last help - A website dedicated to helping adults handle kids - especially those that are challenging. http://www.disciplinehelp.com/ >>Submitted by mailto:Dmmandile@aol.com Although this may sound too harsh I think I would talk to the mothers of the girls and let them know that wild behavior is unacceptable. I would draw the line and state that if their daughters are unable or unwilling to follow your direction then they are not welcome at the meetings. If these girls are in school then presumably they do know how to act. They should be expected to show respect for themselves, other people and the property of others. >>Submitted by Deborah I use to meet in the cafeteria in my school. My first suggestion is ask for another room. Sometimes the stage is just too hard to resist. If this can’t be done I would have a parents meeting with the girls there. I would tell the parents what the girls are doing and why they can’t do it. I would tell them that the next time someone goes on the stage you will call a time out for the rest of the meeting. I would ask the parents to talk to their daughters. When or if the “stage incident” happens, call the time out and have the girls sit for the rest of the meeting. >>Submitted by Marty I would suggest doing something really hard line, but might work. Next meeting sit your Daisy Girl Scouts down and talk about the rule and the reason for the rule (safety, disruptive, etc.). Then tell the girls that because you have such a problem with them following the rule that from today on anyone caught on stage will be immediately sent home. Ask them if they all understand the rule and consequences, then follow through. You may even want to send a note home to parents about the rule and the consequences. You really don't want to jeopardize the relationship that the Girl Scouts have with the meeting place, and this behavior could do just that. Good luck! >>Submitted by mailto:Xlbubbles@aol.com Sit them down and let them know that for every time they are caught acting wild they will get a bad point....for every bad point they need 2 good ones to get back to zero, anyone with "BAD POINTS" will not get their "Daisy Petals" or do a craft...something they want ..if anyone gets say 10 bad points they can not participate anymore. Get them where it hurts...hang tough. You could recruit an older Girl Scout to help police the meeting ..sort of a safety patrol....I am sure there is a girl looking for Community Service hours. >>Submitted by Geri, mailto:pocilujko@yahoo.com Not being personally involved, I'm sure none of us has a pat solution, but... 1) The longer this is allowed to go on, the sooner it will be perceived as allowed. 2) I am quite sure it IS disrupting the other troop's meeting. Have you showed them how the other troop is not acting in the same manner? Use parts of the law e.g., "to be a sister to every Girl Scout" does not include taking away from the meeting of their own troop or the troop meeting in the same place. "to respect authority" means respect for you leaders as well as the school personnel who have repeatedly asked them to stop. Why not point out that should school officials find out about their behavior, they may no longer allow you to use the facility. Without a meeting place the troop may have to disband. >>Submitted by Alice, mailto:awagner1031@cfl.rr.com Behavior Management 101 We all know that our "little angels" at times need a bit of direction to manage their behavior. Sometimes just giving them a few minutes of "Minnie Mouse time" (talking allowed only in polite little whispers) is enough to purge them of their pent-up emotions. Then again, maybe the disruptive behavior is a sign that it's time to take a break from the "work" with a fun hands-on activity or game. I've compiled a variety of resources on my website to offer support to leaders dealing with disruptive behavior. Topics include: Troop Rules, Silence is Golden, Motivate & Reward, Special Situations, Extra Support, and GS Program Links. I invite you to visit Scouting For All Seasons (click "Fall" then "Behavior Management 101" under the month of September) http://home.cfl.rr.com/scoutingseasons ========================================================== >>Submitted by Janet, mailto:janetrossetti@hotmail.com I wrote this my first year as a Spark Leader. I read it this year for enrollment and actually had parents ask me to e-mail it to them. Hope you enjoy it. A Spark A Spark is a smile That becomes a laugh A Spark is a step That becomes a path A Spark's an idea That becomes a dream A Spark is a glimmer that becomes a gleam A Spark is a pupa bursting from a cocoon That spreads butterfly wings like a flower in bloom A Spark is the warmth that begins a glow A Spark is a voyage with a way to go Written by: Janet Rossetti, 2002 >>Editor's Note: Spark is the Canadian equivalent of Daisy Girl Scout in the US. = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Contact Info: Katie Baron Editor, Scouting Links Newsletter, mailto:katie.baron@att.net Advisor, Girl Scout Troop 645 Assistant Service Unit Manager National Delegate Red Cross & Council Trainer Member of, but not speaking for, Girl Scouts: Lenni-Lenape Council, NJ Bert & Mary Gaddis, Webmaster Scouting Links Website, mailto:bgaddis@excite.com http://www.scoutinglinks.com/ Notice: This newsletter is not affiliated with nor endorsed by the Girl Scouts of the USA. ‘Girl Scouts’ and ‘Girl Scouts of the USA’ are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Girl Scouts of the USA. The names of other companies, organizations or products mentioned herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.