[TheThinkTank] contracts for Earn-a-Bike youth?

[veganboyjosh at gmail.com]

actually, i'll put something out there to get the ball rolling.

while we don't have a contract that the kids sign, we do go over rules with
them. we sort of let them come up with the rules, so that they have some
stake in them, and if it ever becomes an issue, then we can point to the
rules and remind them that these are rules they came up with... The first
class period is spent going over the rules. generally, we make a list of
about 5 or 6 rules, that consist of something along the following lines:

1. respect other people. students, staff, visitors.
2. respect tools.
3. ask questions.
4. be vocal if you have a problem with a tool, bike, or other person in the
shop.
5. have fun.

of course, they don't usually come up with rules that are this succint, but
we try to guide them into them. a lot of the times, the kids come up with
very specific rules that fit into one or more of these... ie. "no throwing
chain tools at other people's heads," which we sort of turn into number 1 or
2.

one thing we do stress with the kids is that while it's not ok to abuse
tools, or misuse them (cone wrenches?), sometimes tools do break. i like to
play the "is it ok?" game with them, where i name a scenario, and they tell
whether it's ok or not.

"is it ok to throw tools?"
"no."
"is it ok to use tools for something they're not meant to do?"
"no."
"is it ok to ask a classmate for help with a tool?"
"yes."
"is it ok to break a tool?"
"...?"

they're a little dumbstruck, i think, since we're giving them the leeway to
use something that could break. i mention to them that all the teachers in
the class have broken tools. the most important thing is that the student
let someone know the tool is broken, and talk with them about why broken
tools are bad--dangerous for mechanics, as well as for bikes.

the curriculum, policies and procedures in our class, like many of yours, i
suspect, is a work in progress. i'd love to get a mini-thinktank list going
for youth specific issues, if anyone else is interested. could help focus
the discussion, and keep from distracting those not interested, or who are
on the larger list for other issues.

feedback on the above is welcome and encouraged.

thanks.

josh.
communitycycles in boulder.



On Wed, Jun 18, 2008 at 9:04 AM, <veganboyjosh at gmail.com> wrote:

> ditto the ditto.
>
>
>
>
> On Wed, Jun 18, 2008 at 9:00 AM, Froilan Landeros <froilanderos at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
>> ditto
>>
>> On Wed, Jun 18, 2008 at 9:59 AM, The Recyclery <therecyclery at gmail.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Hi all,
>>>
>>> I was wondering if shops with E-a-B or after-school programs had their
>>> participants sign contracts at the beginning, either with rules of the shop,
>>> expectations, qualifications for getting the bike, etc. If you're willing to
>>> share your contracts with the list, that would be much appreciated!
>>>
>>> Also, a general discussion on the successes and failures of these
>>> contracts would be good.
>>>
>>> The Recyclery is starting our second E-a-B summer tomorrow!
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>> Sharlyn
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Thethinktank mailing list
>>> Thethinktank at bikecollectives.org
>>>
>>> http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.org
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> froilan landeros
>> _______________________________________________
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>>
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>>
>>
>
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