Spotlight on: Steve Cramer
Extension Agent, County Director
Logan County
Hi - This is Steve Cramer and I have been working in
the fun world of 4-H for over 30 years, starting and ending in the same county,
Logan.
I think many of us agree that the most fun part of the job is
working with the kids. Over the years, they have short-sheeted my bed, (I
didn't even notice), locked me in the back of my pickup, had tires explode
while going to LDC, get lost in downtown Denver, pretended they didn't know me
during 4-H banquets, but mostly have worked hard for me at county fairs and in
the General Department at the Colorado State Fair. (I think I have been in the
General State Fair Department for 29 years, but who's counting?)
The
program that I am most proud of is "Teaching Character Education through Team
Building".
Even though I have used a lot of the same activities over the
years, I still believe in the concept of trying to teach the six T.R.R.F.C.C.
pillars of Character Counts! Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility,
Fairness, Caring, and Citizenship by relating the traits to be exhibited during
a specific activity. (I learned team building in a program sponsored by Gisele
Jefferson, and learned Character Counts! in a program sponsored by Dale
Leidheiser.) I mixed the two processes together which developed into a yearly
program.
For many years, I have been fortunate enough to be able to work
with the entire sixth grade class at the Sterling Middle School during their PE
period. During four classroom visits, repeated four times to 160 students, I do
an introduction of the character traits, do some personality awareness, and
relate the character traits through different activities while reaching goals
as a group (team building).
The following is as outline for classroom
presentations where I try to get the students to relate to the six building
pillars of Character Counts! They are as follows:
TRUSTWORTHINESS
- One who has integrity, honesty, loyalty, and is reliable. Do activities where
others rely upon your actions. Examples: Trust Walk, Blindfolded Person Tag,
Rope Lead.
RESPECT - One who practices the golden rule, is tolerant
of others, is non-violent and is courteous. Do activities where participants
are close to each other and must respect all concerned to be successful.
Examples: Knots, All Aboard, Mohawk Walk, Spider Maze.
RESPONSIBILITY - One who is accountable, pursues excellence, and
practices self-control. Do activities where others are responsible for someone
or some action. Examples: Blind Person Line-up, Newspaper Name Tag, Bungee
Ball.
FAIRNESS -One who is just, treats people equally by being
impartial. Play "Fair" and for Fun. Examples: Blob Tag, Elbow Tag, Where the
Wild Wind Blows, Back Draw.
CARING - One who is kind, empathetic and
considerate. Include everyone in a positive manner to be able to experience
success. Examples: Group Juggle, Toss-A-Name, Warp Speed.
CITIZENSHIP - One who is respectful of authority, and honors the
principles of democracy. Work together to reach a common goal. Examples:
Trollies, Giant Jump Rope, Marble Pass, Pipes Up.
Let me know if you
would like any of the above information.