The Mayor Needs Some Help...?

The Ebola Virus has become an issue internationally and within the United States. (This is a simulated scenario for this class) The Mayor is determining what his City's policy on Ebola prevention should be. More specifically, what should the city's concept of prevention and quarantine be? What other preventative measures should the city take? More specifically, if someone comes to Norwalk from one of the countries affected by Ebola how should Norwalk handle that? What should its policy on quarantine and Ebola prevention be? (Below are three short videos to give you some background on the Ebola virus, symptoms, and prevention to get you started on your knowledge build. Note: clicking on the hyperlink on the word quarantine will give you a basic understanding of that concept.) 

Classroom Task: We will form into three groups and develop Ebola prevention policy recommendations for the Mayor. Everyone takes notes on the group work and discussion. 

Group Leaders: 
Period 2: Rene, Tom. Sienna, and citizen Rep: Angelique.
Period 4: Brendan, Johanna, Christian, and citizen Rep: Jen and Josue.
Period 6: Nicole, Christian, Elias, and citizen Rep: Brian.
Period 7: Allan, Steven, Anthony, and citizen Rep: Tatiana.

Group Task A (Thursday): 

• Step 1:Determine what are the key questions your group needs to answer before you can determine what policy recommendations to make? 
• Step 2: Find the answers to your own questions and then prepare a rough draft press statement. Below your Team Leaders are given a link to a Google Doc on which to put your statement. 
• Step 3: Everyone in your group review the scanned articles on Ebola as it relates to public reaction and the guidelines some states are taking. 

Group Task B (Nov 3. Monday - Thursday): The Group Leader's will be tasked with placing input on a class Google document for this module. 

Team Leaders Click on the below hyperlinks to put your City Press statement on the document. 

Period 2 Link to Google Doc:  

Period 4 Link to Google Doc:  

Period 6 Link to Google Doc: 

Period 7 Link to Google Doc:

Group Task C: (Nov 7, Friday):  As per the directions on the scanned document (for group statement) coupled with all of the group collaboration (discussion, videos. scanned articles, self research) you have done has prepared each group to present their simulated Mayor's press statement and participate in the community Town Hall meeting on Friday.

Sequence: A Group presents their statement and the other groups ask questions in response to the simulated mayoral statement.

Then the next group presents and we follow this sequence

Group 1 Presentation: Groups 2 & 3 role play as citizens and designated citizen Rep will takes notes and prepare to ask questions during the Q&A period. 

Group 2 Presentation: Groups 1 & 3 role play as citizens and designated citizen Rep.

Group 3 Presentation: Groups 2 & 1 role play as citizens and designated citizen Rep.

Assessment: Individual Assessments of Group and Group Members. 

ENDSTATE of this EBOLA MODULE:

• Learn more about the Ebola virus (causes, prevention, and intervention)
• Consider the role of government in maintaining the collective health at the local, state, and federal level. 
• Consider the issues associated with enforcement of a quarantine if the government deems it necessary. 
• What are some of the considerations of the government in determining to isolate or quarantine its citizens. 

Uniform Inspection (Appearance, Bearing, and Knowledge)

Today is Wednesday and we will have our weekly uniform inspection. You will be inspected in three areas: appearance, bearing, and knowledge. Uniform inspection is a test. This test (inspection) will be conducted by the Senior Naval Science Instructor. This week, we conducted station training (knowledge, bearing, and drill) and had a quiz on cadet knowledge and a squad unit leader drill evaluation all to prepare you for the inspection. Good Luck?

Lets Assess What You Know and Can Do?

Cadets you will be assessed today to determine your cadet knowledge and proficiency in leading squad drill. The assessment is two parts: a short quiz and a squad unit leader drill proficiency. The quiz consists of five questions about JROTC uniform and five questions about the first five general orders to the sentry. The drill evaluation is a basic squad drill card similar to the station training you recently did. A designated drill peer leader will evaluate your proficiency in leading a squad in drill. The assessment will be a combined score of the two assessment events. 

Good Luck, lets see what you know and can do?

Who Are The People Who Have Had An Impact on Your Life...?

Today's public speaking assignment is self-reflective to determine the impact others have had on your lives. The focus will vary slightly for first year cadets versus upperclassmen cadets with the below questions. 

NS-1: What person has had the biggest impact on your life?

NS-2,3,4: Who is the best leader you ever experienced and why? 

Take five minutes and write down some talking points reflecting  your answer to the appropriate above question.

Each student will be required to present their response to the class in the form of a short (1-2 min) impromptu speech. 

Uniform Accountability and Prep Day for Drill, Appearance, and Knowledge

Today is a modified uniform day due to a change in the school schedule yesterday. Today we will set up three working stations:

• Station 1: Squad Drill Evaluation Prep: Review each cadet being the squad unit leader for squad drill. 
• Station 2: General Orders To Sentry Review: Review individually and collectively the first five General Orders to the Sentry. 
• Station 3: Uniform Accessories Update: Cadets will notify the Supply Rep of the uniform items or accessories they are missing to include updating their ribbons. the Supply Rep will keep a detailed record and turn it into the SNSI. 

The Class Drill Peer Leaders from the previous day will be the station leaders. Cadets will be at each station for approximately 15 minutes. 

Class Drill Competition

Today's Classroom Activity: Today in class we will be conducting unarmed (without a drill rifle) and armed (with a drill rifle) drill competition called IKO (Individual Knock Out). 

Description: IKO is a form of drill related "simon says" where a drill commander gives command and the classmates in formation have to perform the drill  movement promptly and accurately. Any mistake results in that cadet being dismissed from the small formation until only one person is left (the winner). Reverse IKO is the exact opposite resulting in a cadet who performs the drill movement properly being dismissed from the formation leaving the cadets in the formation who need the work on drill. Reverse IKO is also an instructional tactic to use if cadet intentionally make mistakes to not participate. 

Who is in charge: We will have the designated class leader coordinate with the NSI (Chief) to draw rifles to include in the IKO / Reverse IKO, since the SNSI is absent today. Class Leaders, you can rotate drill commanders for IKO but start out with class leaders for the event.

Class Leaders for this Event:
Period 2; Sienna
Period 4: Trevor
Period 6: Nicole
Period 7:  Mercy

Time for the Oscars...Upperclassmen Brief to a First Year Cadet

While we have a few presentations remaining, once completed we will be selecting one group to provide a presentation to a First Year cadet class period (periods 1,5,8). 

We will select one group per upperclassmen class period: periods 2,4,6, and 7.

Period 2 Winner: Shane & Erby
Period 4 Winner: Johanna & Jen
Period 6 Winner: Nicole & Jen 
Period 7 Winner: Mercy & AJ

Honorable Mentions: Ahmad & Christian, 

Class Task: We will have that winning group place their presentation on a Power Point presentation. The PPT template is already loaded in the Upperclassmen Working Folder on the Desktop. There are six slides: Cover, Intro, Slide 1,2,3; Conclusion. 

Once the brief is loaded, the winning group leaders can modify their brief with input from the class and will then rehearse it with the class taking notes and critiquing their performance.  

Contest: Best Advice for First Year Cadets

There is a saying from a former German General named Bismarck which is "Only a fool learns from their mistakes, I will learn from the mistakes of others."  While we all certainly makes mistakes and hopefully learn from them, the intent of Bismarck's quote is to learn from others experience any time you can. This can help you avoid negative experiences or minimize them, and increase performance or accomplishments which is positive. Sometimes others offer advice and sometimes you ask for it. 

Classroom Activity: You will form into two cadet groups and you will develop a five minute verbal presentation centered on the following intent "What advice can I give a First Year Cadet?" This group task will last 5 minutes. You will present this in a future class. Use your imagination on making the best presentation. The best presentation will win the contest and give their presentation to a First Year Cadet class in the near future.  

Class Schedule:
Tuesday: Brainstorm, Outline, & Prep
Wednesday: Uniform Day and Inspection (remaining time can be used for collaboration.)
Thursday: Refine Presentation & Give it in Class.
Friday: Finish any remaining teams presentations if necessary

Your designated teams are listed below in the Comments section of the blog by class period. 

Good Luck. 

More Drill...Right Shoulder and Left Shoulder Arms

Based on your recommendation to increase armed drill (with drill rifles) in class and our unit's desire to participate in armed drill for the upcoming Bethel Drill Competition in November, we will conduct armed drill in class today. 

Lets take a look at a video about the manual of arms: 

We will go through the manual of arms "by-the-numbers" (with the unit commander utilizing a verbal number) count for each step of a particular manual of arms. 

The foundational basis for all drill is the proper position of attention. Pay attention, ask questions, and put forth your best effort. We may have some cadets work one-on-one so remain flexible and keep a positive attitude. Everyone learns differently, so be patient with yourself and with each other. 

The benefits of drill are developing attention to detail, technical proficiency in drill, followership and leadership, and teamwork.