Den doodles are simple tools used in Cub Scout dens. They help track progress and achievements in a fun way. Each Scout can see their own progress on the doodle, which keeps them motivated. It also helps them feel part of the team.
Use these tips to help wrangle enthusiastic Cub Scouts during your next pack meeting.
The last few weeks of Cub Scouts have been rough. Today we (my co-leader and me) said enough! We sat the boys down and went over the Scout Law discussing each principle asking for examples of ways to live the Scout Law, making sure the boys new what they were promising to do each week. We even went so far as to give examples of ways they had misbehaved (without giving names of course). A few were shocked to realize we were referring to something they had done in a previous meeting. We then brought out our new behavior chart. It's very simple. If I were more artistic it could be much cuter. We needed something simple and easy to understand but got the point across quickly. At the end of each den meeting we give the boys 10 minutes to do what they want. This usually means playing a group game - anything from a circle game to basketball, tag, you name it. It's the boy's choice and something they really look forward to. Prep: Print and laminate the number sheet Print, cut out each of the badges and laminated these How it works: Cover each of the numbers and the sad face with the different badges. If no badges are removed the boys get their full 10 minutes at the end of den meeting. If one badge is removed (the Bobcat - I do them in order but you certainly wouldn't have to) they are now down to 8 minutes. Remove the Tiger, now they're down to 6 minutes and so forth. The beauty of this chart is you don't have to say anything or get angry at a Cub Scout you simply remove a badge. The Cub Scouts give you this look of horror and gasp for air. They know exactly what this means. It's amazing how quickly behavior improves. Our den meetings end on time so there isn't any overtime to make up for bad behavior. Boys learn quickly to govern themselves and help their friends do the same. It's made a huge difference in our den meetings!
Den doodles are simple tools used in Cub Scout dens. They help track progress and achievements in a fun way. Each Scout can see their own progress on the doodle, which keeps them motivated. It also helps them feel part of the team.
I made this printable word puzzle to be used for the Blue & Gold Banquet. Notice the links below to print out a clear PDF copy. Notice ...
Learn how to honor the flag by playing fun games! Perfect for Cub Scouts or any other group of kids who participate in flag ceremonies.
In Cub Scouts there are so many different "little" things the Cub Leaders can do to help keep their boy motivated or to use as an incentive! But, one that I found that works wonderfully
Learn how to honor the flag by playing fun games! Perfect for Cub Scouts or any other group of kids who participate in flag ceremonies.
To ensure that Scouts have a deep appreciation for and respect towards nature, the Scouts BSA has established the Outdoor Ethics program. As a part of this program, the position of Outdoor Ethics Guide has been created to help educate and promote responsible outdoor behavior among Scouts.
Want an activity to promote environmental conservation that doesn’t involve going outside in the cold? This resource is a bingo card that would be a great extension to send home to families. The bi…
A few months ago, when I was first introduced to Pinterest, I came across this idea from Real Simple. I thought it looked like something ...
I teach reading at an elementary school. I love what I do! I wanted to share some "ways to praise" that we use in my classroom. These aren't my own ideas just the ones my students love. And here's how it looks: { I look FABULOUS! } Click HERE for printable. =) In what ways do YOU praise?
We invited a church member who happens to be a law enforcement officer to come and talk with the bears. He did an amazing job at covering Achievement 7. We did this achievement over 2 weeks. First the law officer covered the material and the second week we used what we learned and had a little fun. Requirement 7a: Practice one way police gather evidence: by taking fingerprints, or taking shoe-prints, or taking tire track casts. For Requirement 7a (above) I made them all sheets to take fingerprints on and a top secret file folder to hold them in. To make the file folder: Print on cardstock (I used tan cardstock): http://www.memorymakersmagazine.com/images/articles/filefolderalbum_template.pdf Then download this. Run your printed (not cut out) file folder through the printer. You want the stamp on the front of the folder. You may have to play with your printer to make sure it prints correctly. It should look like this: Cut out the file folder Score on the lines or fold carefully ~ accordion style. I just folded on the lines. My cardstock wasn't super thick which helped. Use double sided tape to adhere it together. It does have a tab on top, but I cut it out of the picture since it had a name on it. Then you are ready for something to go inside the folder. You could do this in their book, but not everyone has a book in my den and even if they did, what are the chances they ALL remember to bring them. I made these so you could just print them out on 3x5 index cards. I only had ones with lines so I just printed on the white side. I also wanted to have them so each boy could have their own fingerprints plus one set of every boy there. (I used this for the activity the next week). I also printed out some extra so I could have a copy of the boys' prints (one hand only). I told them that this one would be to practice on, but I really needed it for a game the following week. Download Fingerprint Form Here. The law enforcement officer gathered the boys around and spoke to them. (Covered Requirement 7b: Visit your local sheriff's office or police station or talk with a law enforcement officer visiting your den or pack to discuss crime prevention). He covered with them 7c: Help with crime prevention in your home. He went over what they should do to protect their home. He also covered 7f: Know what you can do to help law enforcement. He talked about 7d: Be sure where to get help in your neighborhood and 7e: Learn the phone numbers to use in an emergency and post them by each phone in your home. We had already filled out the forms to cover 7d & 7e. Next time I will do them ALL at the same time. It would be more fun done that way and you get more accomplished in only one meeting. To get the forms for requirement 7d and 7e click here. After he spoke with them we did the fingerprint activity. That was a lot of fun. (If there is a boy that isn't there, but normally is you probably want to make him a set of each boys fingerprints for the activity next week). Don't forget to bring ink to do the prints and baby wipes to clean off their fingers. I kept their top secret file folder with all the fingerprints in it for the following week. The highlight of the night was when the kids went outside and saw the police car! Week two: I made them detective notebooks (The picture I used for the cover is on the same document as the fingerprint form). I used one of those small notebooks that fit in your hand (maybe 3x5). Here is just a page of detectives if that will work better for you. I also purchased some magnifying glasses at the dollar store. I made them a file to keep all their gear in: the mini file folder full of fingerprints from the week before, the detective notebook I made them pictured above, a magnifying glass (above) and a pen. I had regular file folders, but wanted something with sides so I made my own accordion style file folders. First I took a regular file folder and creased it at the bottom on the last scored line (look at the bottom of your file folder, there are already scored lines to expand the folder): Now it has two creases in the bottom. It gives it a flat bottom instead of the normal fold. Then I took an extra file folder and cut it down the crease. Using a scoring blade on my paper cutter. I made it about every 1/4 inch (if I remember right - it may be a little smaller). It works best for folding if you flip the folder over with each score made (score on one side, flip, score on that side, flip, score on this side, etc). Then fold it back and forth accordion style. I scored it 7 times and on the 8th I cut it. I used double sided scrapbook tape &/or glue and adhered the accordion fold to the sides of my file folder. Now the folder has sides and the items wouldn't fall out of it. I was going to make them into briefcases, but just left them as folders. This is my son's. It is over a month old now and a little smashed up. Fingerprint Activity I took the extra set of fingerprints I made myself and cut them apart. I labeled the back with whom it belonged to (so you couldn't see it through the front) and numbered the front. I taped them to a wall in the room. They had to use their fingerprints they collected last week (and their magnifying glasses if they chose) to identify whom each fingerprint belonged to. Cookie Thief Activity The object of this station was to determine who had bitten from the cookie. Supplies: Cookies (I had one cookie for each boy) and Styrofoam plates. Take the Styrofoam plate and cut into 6 wedges. Stack two wedges on top of each other and cut off the tip (a fairly large triangle section). Have a boy bite onto the plate (not hard enough to bite through, but just hard enough to leave an impression of his teeth. Label the wedge with name and if it is the top or the bottom. Do this with each boy. Have each boy take a bite out of one cookie. Lay each cookie out with a number next to it. When they reach this station they are to identify who took a bite out of which cookie with the help of the Styrofoam plate indention of their bite. Give them clues to look for missing, crooked, or chipped teeth. Shoe Mold For this I made a plaster cast of a shoe print at home (similar to this, but with shoe prints instead of tire tracks) and then brought the plaster cast and a variety of shoes with me. I numbered each shoe. They had to identify which shoe made the print. I had them use their detective notebooks for the three stations. We had three scouts at this activity so for the fingerprints there were nine fingerprints to identify (I used 3 fingerprints ~ the best ones out of the 5 I had ~ from each boy). They numbered 1-9 in their notebook and wrote the name of who they thought each fingerprint belonged to next to the number. They did the same thing for the shoes and cookies. At the end we went over the answers to see how well they investigated the clues. Hopefully you understand what I'm trying to say (I'm typing this up with multiple interruptions from children, no wonder I normally do this after the kids are asleep). If you have any questions let me know.
A good conduct candle is a proven way to mitigate mayhem at den meetings. It's cheap, easy and gives the Cub Scouts a visual reminder to follow the rules.
After a special request for a BLUE version of this print, I was shocked I didn't think of it myself! Here are a couple variations on the popular original {black and white} If you are in want of any of these files they can be downloaded from my Cub Scout file found HERE with Dropbox.
A reader asks for help managing unruly behavior at Cub Scout den meetings.
Use these tips to help wrangle enthusiastic Cub Scouts during your next pack meeting.
Scouts BSA Troops are so different from Cub Scout packs. Every February we get a new batch of scouts into the troop, along with their parents. Suddenly they find themselves in a program which is completely alien to them. And it usually comes as a surprise, since most have been involved in the Cub Scout…
Happy Friday! (Don't you just love the summer when you forget what day it is?) I am linking up with Cara from First Grade Parade and her weekly Favorite Pins Friday to share some of my recent Pinterest finds! Favorite School Pins: Completely agree, although I do love the Target Dollar Bins this time of year :) :) :) Love this chart from Using My Teacher Voice for the first week back to school! Favorite Style Pins: Chevron nails? Yes, please :) Currently obsessing over polka dots and chambray! This color combination takes my love of all things teal/turquoise and brightens it up! Love it :) Favorite Quote Pins: Yup! My besties, teammates, and husband probably think this is my personal motto ;) This is *by far* my most favorite quote If you don't already, be sure to follow me on Pinterest to see a whole bunch more! Have fun checking out the rest of the great finds over at The First Grade Parade! ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ I am *EXTREMELY* excited to announce a new collaborative blog I am a part of for 2nd and 3rd grade teachers!! Owl-ways Be Inspired is filled with some of your most favorite 2nd & 3rd grade bloggers and we are all so excited for the opportunity to collaborate and share with you! Best part? There is a gigantic Grand Opening Giveaway that started today filled with a *ton* of back-to-school goodies! Head over right now to check it out and be sure to follow us on Bloglovin', Facebook, and Pinterest! Have a wonderful weekend, friends!!
Last summer, it was all the rage on teacher blogs to use a clip chart for behavior management. There were so many options and colors and the...
Do you need a fun Cub Scout pack meeting that will teach the boys compassion and disabilities awareness? Check out on pack's fun ideas!
Cub Scout Leader Roundtable
Karen Salmansohn's blog offers a range of articles on happiness, love, health, and success - plus lots of inspiring quote posters.
I made a printable puzzle you could use for the Blue and Gold banquet as a placemat. It has a crossword puzzle for Cub Scouting and...
Last year I started a bead reward program. A friend of mine had told me about it. The YMCA she had worked at ran a bead reward program at their camps. So I thought, "What the heck, I'll give it a shot."
Students are stressed more than ever. Sometimes that stress is manifested in the form of impulsive outbursts, anger, meltdowns, crying, yelling, arguing, or other types of emotional release. Kids don't always know what to do with all of that strong emotion and teachers and parents can not always drop everything to help. Kids must learn to recognize and regulate their own emotions, particularly strong emotions. This article discusses encouraging children to manage and regulate their own emotions and behavior. It is a great alternative to clip charts and time out chairs!
The Skittles Skit, like many of the skits I have seen, is full of kid humor and outrageous behavior. That is why they like it so much.
Learners will practice identifying meaningful adjectives to describe a hero that they draw and then describe.
Ever Wanted To Make Your Own Barometer? It's really very easy, and only requires material you'll find in your home.
Learning about nutrition can be boring, but not when you have some cool Cub Scout nutrition activities & games!
This post was originally posted back in 2015 on my blog and has been a popular post since that time. I worked for a decade as a family counselor and elementary school counselor before staying
The first adventure I ever taught and still one of my favorites! Cub Scouts "Germs Alive!" Badge Den Meeting #1 Confetti Bombs, Gl...
