Up with People Cast A 2010 On Tour

by Annie Matthews, Education Coordinator,  Arkansas,USA on educational activities in UWP

In Up With People the days are full and the performing arts and educational workshops push the students to reach their full potential at all times. Since the semester began there have already been several educational workshops for the students to participate in that have challenged the students to think outside of the box and to work together as a team.

On the very first day of the semester the students were given time to write letters their future selves. The letters were to give themselves encouragment and to discuss who they want to be in Cast A 2010. What challenges did they face to get to Cast A? What would they like to accomplish while they are here? Later in the semester the students will get the letters back and they will have time to evaluate they participation in the cast.

cast members writing letters to self

Another education session focused on communication and problem solving within a group setting. The cast was broken into small groups and were given a “magic stick” to lower to the ground using only their fingertips. If the students didn’t lower the stick at exactly the same time then the stick would actually rise in the air. The groups had to work together as a team to figure out the best method for teir group to get the stick to the ground. Watching this activity was exceptional inspiring to me. Without realizing it some students stepped into a leadership position within their small groups and others used all of their energy to focus on accomplishing the goal as a united group. After the activity the students were given time to talk in their groups about what they had just experienced. How interesting that a “game” could bring about learning. The students in Hometeam 2 discussed how sometimes it isn’t important how someone becomes a leader in a group or what steps were taken to distinguish someone as a leader but the important thing is that a group trusts their leader to help them accomplish their task in the best way.  Another discussion topic was that it is important that every member of a group feel like their voice is heard and if the group isn’t sure how to accomplish a task then it is okay to atleast try all of the new ideas to see if they could possibly work. If something doesn’t work as well as planned then it is okay to simply start over.

The Cast has also been given time to set goals for themselves. Long term and short term goals that are not only realistic and measurable but also specific, attainable, and can be accomplished in a reasonable amount of time.  This is called the SMART Method

S- Specific

M- Measurable

A-Attainable

R- Realistic

T- Timely

After being given time to think about some goals for their time in Cast A and beyond, the students wrote their goals on red tags and were then introduced to their “Goal Tenders”. In Up With People, goaltenders are members of the cast that will help eachother accomplish their goals by giving support and motivation.  Each member of the cast will be given time throughout the semester to meet with their goaltenders to check on eachother and see if they can help eachother in any way as the semester goes on.

Needless to say, from goals to communication to teamwork to leadership, the learning in Cast A 2010 is in full swing!! I couldn’t be more excited to see what else is to come.

“A goal is a dream with a deadline” Jasmine, USA