This Week is a Short But Busy Week: 23 to 26 March (Mon to Thursday)

What does this mean? It means what we learn is what we become. 

Quote:

 "You let people know who you are by how you do your job?"

Alphonse Lambert

If your job is to be a student-cadet and to learn; how are you doing that job?  Based on the quote what does your level of learning say about you...?

Before we get into today's public speaking, lets look at our schedule for the week:

Schedule: 

March 23 (Mon):  Public speaking (Mr. Osinloye as Sub)
March 24 (Tues):  NJROTC, The Way Ahead (Schedule &                                             Future)Brief by LtCol Killackey
March 25 (Wed):  Uniform Day / Inspection
March 26 (Thur):  Survival Test / 90 minute Early release
March 27 (Fri):     No School for Students / Teachers Only

Class Activity: PUBLIC SPEAKING

Take 6 minutes and prepare an impromptu speech focused on the below topic. You are allowed to take up some bullet talking points but do not read them, instead give a speech. : 

Topic: What Quality Makes You Amazing?

You will describe that one quality that makes you AMAZING and give two examples of how you demonstrate that quality. As usual, have an introduction, description of the quality and provide two examples of how it makes you amazing, and then a conclusion. You have from a minute to a minute and a half to provide your impromptu speech. 



Note: Whichever cadets do not finish, you will finish after the personnel inspection on Wednesday.   

SURVIVAL ... the start of the Third Marking Period

We are starting the third Marking Period of Academic Year 2015. We are going to talk about Survival. The topic of survival is in Unit VI of the book, Introduction to Navy JROTC which is part of the NJROTC curriculum. You should consider Survival as a part of your life skills. 

Enduring Learning Objective for this Survival Module: Each student-cadet develops an understanding of the concept of survival in a variety of situations and conditions so that they can survive themselves or assist others. Additionally, the goal is to develop the concept for prior planning and preparation and survival skill development ensuring their safety, security, and mental well being. 

Classroom Activity: Form into three groups and take about ten minutes to develop a group definition of the concept of survival without looking anything up.   Have one person write down the group definition. Following the group discussion, you will share the group definition with the entire class. The intent of this activity is to generate each person determining their start point on an understanding of what survival means

Here is a 8 minute video about the concepts of survival from an experienced outdoor guide. Like many people with some survival experience he has many opinions, some of them you might agree with and some perhaps not. The goal is you need to be the "eternal student" (vice self proclaimed expert) when it comes to developing your survival capability.   

This short video (3 minute) on the basic components of How to Survive. 

Final Comment: There is a tendency to think of survival in terms of big disasters such as surviving a plane crash or a tornado. But consider the following: 

• What about your family's care breaking down at night in an unknown location? 
• How about visiting your family in another country and you get lost in an urban environment? 
• A simple hike in a national park where you get lost and the weather turns bad? 
• What if there was a terrorist attack and you were separated from your loved ones? Dad is at work, mom is at home with your little sister, and you are away at college. How will you link up? What if there is spotty cell phone coverage and power is down? 
• What if you were on vacation on an enormous lake and the motor broke down and you were miles away from anyone? Everyone is just wearing their bathing suits and there is poor cell phone coverage. Would would you do? 

Chain of Command Group 2015 Group Activity

CARD ACTIVITY

READ THIS FIRST, Then watch the video!!

Chain of Command...? What does that mean and what is its purpose? Is it just a military concept? If so why study this concept if you are not in the military? If it has applications in non-military organizations then perhaps understanding the concept of a "chain of command" has other applications. Let's watch this video and see how you could apply this concept to other activities.... 

What examples would you give on how the concept of a "chain of command" applies to other organizations and activities? In your opinion, what are some of the universal purposes of a chain of command based on the activities and discussion you have had up until this point. 

Let's take a look at the NJROTC chain of command briefed by your fellow students.... Remember, chain of command will be a part of your mid term exam. 

Select a Naval Science and a Non-Naval Science Topic You are Interested In

Monday's Class Activity: 
1. Organize Yourself into Three Groups. Group Leaders designated by SNSI.  (See Below)
2. Review the Naval Science Curriculum from the Naval Science Books.
3. Select one Naval Science Topic your group agrees upon and write down why you are interested in that topic.
4. Select one Non-Naval Science Topic (SNSI screened) your group agrees upon and write down why you are interested in that topic. 
5. Group Leaders provide both topics to the SNSI by the end of class on a written paper with your groups names, class period, two topics and why you picked those topics.

Group Leaders:
Period 2: Suarez, Bonilla, Dallas
Period 4: Armas, Walsh, Iraheta
Period 6: Valez, Vacas, Young
Period 7: Stevenson, Rainone, Chacua

Developing an Aptitude for Objectivity...Going from what you feel towards what you know

WORD BANK / CONCEPT BANK:  

OBJECTIVE              OPINION VERSUS FACT       ANALYSIS
RACE                         ROLE OF POLICE                   PROTEST     MEDIA / PRESS        PERCEPTION VERSUS REALITY
RACISM                     ABUSE OF POWER                RIOTING     FAIR and BALANCED REPORTING                      LEADERSHIP
SUBJECTIVE

Definitions:

• Subjective: placing excessive emphasis on one's mood, attitudes, and opinions.  

• Objective: not influenced by personal feelings, interpretations, or prejudice, based on facts, unbiased.

Task: Discuss the meaning of the words and concepts above. 


Food for Thought: This is foundational to start our journey on developing an aptitude for looking at each situation objectively and developing the ability to simultaneously maintain a balance between intellect and emotions.  

CASE STUDY: 

MICHAEL BROWN

FERGUSON, MISSOURI

DARREL WILSON

Task:  Take out your notebook and think about these three words and write what you know about them.  

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?

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. 

Drill with Drill Rifles

One of the suggestions for improving cadet involvement in our Navy JROTC program is to conduct more rifle drill in class. The above short 5 minute video is a Navy JROTC unit conducting a portion of an Armed Drill routine. We will be conducting platoon unarmed and armed drill as a class period this year based on the cadet suggestion. In the past we focused on the after school drill teams while conducting drill during class periods but not with as much emphasis, we will change our focus. What that means to your class period is each individual cadet needs to focus and put more effort into drill than perhaps they did in the past. Your class period's ability to conduct both unarmed and armed drill is a SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time Bound) NJROTC goal for each of you. Our goal will be to conduct the platoon drill card for the Bethel Drill Meet by the end of the first Marking Period. 

Class Activity: You will draw drill rifles and a class leader will be designated to go through the basics of individual armed drill. 

Basics: 
Fall In.
Position of Attention.
Dress Right Dress.
Right, Left, and About Face.
Parade Rest and Rest.
Port Arms.
Mark Time March.
Forward March
To The Rear March.

Overview of Manual of Arms: :

• Do's and Don'ts of carrying a Drill rifle
• Professionalism, Maturity, and Safety
• Order Arms
• Port Arms
• Right Shoulder / Left Shoulder Arms
• Present Arms

Individual Areas of Focus When Performing Armed Drill:
Rifle positioning: placement of the hands, distance of rifle from your body, elbow placement, etc.

FOCUS and MAKE an EFFORT TO IMPROVE. 

Your Feedback on Improving Cadet Involvement in our JROTC Program

EACH CLASS PERIOD WILL REVIEW THESE RECOMMENDATIONS AND PICK THE TOP THREE RECOMMENDATIONS AND DEVELOP A SPECIFIC PLAN ON HOW TO MAKE THEM HAPPEN. 

CLASS LEADER FOR PERIODS:

2:  Cadet Suarez

4:  Cadet Walsh

6:  Cadet Vacas

7:  Cadet Stevenson

READ:  BASED UPON WATCHING "REMEMBER THE TITANS" AND YOUR ANALYSIS OF THE TECHNIQUES USED TO BRING THIS TEAM TOGETHER, YOU DEVELOPED THE FOLLOWING RECOMMENDATIONS:

• COMPETITIONS BETWEEN CLASS PERIODS
• MONTHLY PFT & COMMUNITY SERVICE COMPETITIONS
• POST WINNER
• WIN A SWEATSHIRT
• PARTICIPATION BY-NAME ROSTER OF ALL CADETS 
• PROMOTIONS & AWARDS IN THE AUDITORIUM MONTHLY
• UNIT READ BOARD
• PARENT MEETING
• MONTHLY PARENT NEWS LETTER
• UPDATE OF UNIT ACCOMPLISHMENTS
• EMAIL NOTIFICATIONS TO PARENTS
• GET TO KNOW THE PLATOON COMMANDERS BETTER
• CLASS LEADER BRIEF EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
• AFTER SCHOOL EVENTS NEED TO BE BETTER ADVERTISED AND ORGANIZED BY CADET COMMAND ELEMENT.
• A TOP GUN CALENDAR NEEDS TO BE PUBLISHED
• POWER-POINT BRIEF OF OTHER JROTC ACTIVITIES
• COMMUNITY SERVICE, DRILL COMPETITION, FLAG CEREMONIES
• HOW THE UNIT WORKS: STAFF MEETINGS, ETC
• INTRODUCE THE CHAIN OF COMMAND
• REFORM THE PLATOONS
• ROTATE THEM AFTER A MARKING PERIOD
• DRILL:
• RE-INSTITUTE ARMED DRILL. 
• HAVE A DRILL EXHIBITION.
• CONDUCT RIFLE DRILL / DRILL IN CLASS.
• HOW TO PREPARE YOUR UNIFORM FOR UNIFORM DAY (MALE /FEMALE UNIFORM DAY PREP)
• SOCIAL ICE BREAKER  & COMPETITIVE GAMES AFTER SCHOOL
• ASSIGN EVERYONE TO BE AN OIC  /ASST. OIC FOR A COMMUNITY SERVICE EVENT
• MORE THOROUGH BRIEFING OF HOW TO GO TO BLT OR LA/ST. ALSO, HOW YOU GET A RIBBON.
• TEACH NAVAL FLAG SIGNALING
• HAVE INVOLVED CADETS TALK TO NON-INVOLVED CADETS ONE-ON-ONE
• CLASSES ABOUT ALL OF THE ARMED FORCES AND FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES.
• TOP GUN: BASKETBALL 3 x 3, WIFFLEBALL. 

You Saw Coach Boone and the Titans Do It - How Can You Increase Cadet Involvement

We watched Remember The Titans from the perspective of observing two separate groups that were not committed to work together and were not involved with each others transformation. 

Link to Previous Activities: You were required to take notes as you observed the film on techniques or procedures the leaders and followers used to influence and shape the two group's transformation into one group. 

Organization: We will form into the same groups as yesterday and develop a group list to accomplish the following task:

Task: Provide a Group List of Specific Ideas on how to improve Cadet involvement in the NJROTC program. 

• Be specific: for example if a student suggests more challenging activities that is too vague. Provide some specific challenges you feel cadets would want to be involved in. 

Product turned in: Group Leaders will provide a group list of your suggestions to the NSI at the end of the class. 

Purpose for Activity: As we start the new school year, I want to harvest your ideas to incorporate into the program this year. 

Short Attention Span and Much Work Still To Do... How Can We Improve

It is pretty apparent that many students feel that school is over and the teacher's didn't get the memo...students openly trying to sleep in class...providing the answer "I don't know" when asked a routine question where they could provide input. These are all indicators that many students have lost the motivation to focus. There is only problem: SCHOOL IS NOT OVER YET and FINALS are right around the corner. 

Today, you will be organized into three groups to perform two tasks on a rotational basis for 15 minutes each:

CADET PARTICIPATION DISCUSSION TASK:  You will discuss how to improve cadet participation in drill, community service, and military ball. Feel free to reference the rubric you filled out. Designate one person to take group notes to capture your ideas on how to increase cadet participation. 

RUBRIC TASK:  You will be given a hard copy of the BMHS Personal Responsibility Rubric. I will conduct a quick overview. You will then review it and Self Assess Yourself. Based upon the time left available you can discuss as a group. 

Final Comment: Based upon time remaining we may conduct a class-wide review of the tasks. I will conduct your individual student rubric self assessments and your small group discussion notes. 

STAY ON TASK AND FOCUS.

What is Your Philosophy for Success?

We just finished a Memorial Day module, where our goal was to learn about a service-member so we could learn about the person not just the Soldier, Sailor, Airman, or Marine. They gave their lives so that you could have a choice on how you will live yours. Besides bearing witness, how do you honor the sacrifice they made for you...? 

Admiral McCraven shared his 10 lessons from SEAL training to be successful and have an impact on the world. This is a good foundation for this classroom assignment.

Classroom activity:

A. Individual Activity: Take out a piece of paper and reflect upon and answer two questions.

Question 1. What is your Philosophy for Success?

Question 2. What Do you expect from your Generation?

B. Group Activity: Teacher organizes you into three small discussion groups and designates a group leader for each. The group leader will facilitate each student sharing their responses per question with the group. Once they are done sharing their individual perspectives, they will develop a group collective response to those questions and the group leader will write those collective responses on the back of their sheet. 

C. Class Activity: We will reform as a class and develop a classroom collective response and write it on the whiteboard. Teacher will take a picture of the graphic using a smart phone to capture class end product. 

ADMIRAL McCRAVEN's COMMENCEMENT SPEECH...What Could a SEAL Teach You?

"While these lessons were learned during my time in the military, I can assure you that it matters not whether you ever served a day in uniform," McRaven told students. "It matters not your gender, your ethnic or religious background, your orientation, or your social status."

1. If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed.
2. If you want to change the world, find someone to help you paddle.
3. If you want to change the world, measure a person by the size of their heart, not the size of their flippers.
4. If you want to change the world get over being a sugar cookie and keep moving forward.
5. But if you want to change the world, don't be afraid of the circuses.
6. If you want to change the world sometimes you have to slide down the obstacle head first.
7. So, If you want to change the world, don't back down from the sharks.
8. If you want to change the world, you must be your very best in the darkest moment.
9. So, if you want to change the world, start singing when you're up to your neck in mud.
10. If you want to change the world don't ever, ever ring the bell.

• Start each day with a task completed.
• Find someone to help you through life.
• Respect everyone.
• Know that life is not fair and that you will fail often, but if take you take some risks, step up when the times are toughest, face down the bullies, lift up the downtrodden and never, ever give up—if you do these things, then next generation and the generations that follow will live in a world far better than the one we have today and—what started here will indeed have changed the world—for the better.

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/bill-mcraven-commencement-speech-at-ut-2014-5#ixzz32svUoeO7

Five Things That Mentally Tough People Do Not Do...

5 Things Mentally Tough People Do Not Do

Click on the Link Above

Homework Activity Over The Weekend, due for 
Monday, Feb 3:

1. Open the above Link, Read the Short E-article, and Analyze the concepts. 
2. Then, at home over the weekend, discuss these five traits with an adult relative (your parents, guardian, aunt, etc.). 
3. Enter your relatives feedback as a blog entry. Just list your Class period and your first name only, and who the relative is (Dad, Mom, Grandmother, Aunt, etc.). Do NOT WRITE YOUR RELATIVES name. 
4. Prior to class on Monday, read some of the feedback from others and comment.  

In Class Activity for Monday: 

1. The class will be broken up into small groups and discuss this for 15minutes and list them in order of important (# them 1 through 5)  and make sure all of you take notes. 
3. We will discuss group comments and rankings of these "traits" as a class. 

Remember, your Success Is Always Connected to What Your Attitude Is.

Soliciting Your Inputs for TOPGUN (Interclass) Competition

Background. Every year our JROTC program conducts a competition between the classes. We merge a freshmen class with an upperclassmen class organized into a platoon. The TOPGUN (named after the US Navy Flying School) competition is designed to re-energize the cadets, build unit and class integrity, and for the cadets to have safe and organized fun with a purpose. Any effective organization solicits input from its members to ensure everyone's involvement and identify good ideas. That is what we are going to do today in class, before we solidify the TOPGUN schedule I want to harvest your input and ideas. 

Class Activities:  
1. Form into three small groups and discuss and brainstorm ideas for activities for 20 minutes. Everyone will take notes.
2. Near the end of class, each group will brief the class and provide a written copy of their suggestions. 
3. Make sure you are prepared for PT tomorrow for Friday and review the blog for the weekends homework.