Have you ever visited a school to talk to the students about kites? It is fun, easy, and the kids will love it!
Although you may have photographs and a PowerPoint presentation I suggest that you keep it real. If you display a few different kites you can easily spend 30-50 minutes talking about the kites and the festivals we enjoy. Once you get started the time goes by quickly. Have fun with it. Talk the art and science of building and flying kites.
With all the expectant faces staring at you and only a few minutes to talk, I’m sure you’ll forget a few items. Here are a few reminders:
1. Arrive early. You’ll have to sign in, find your teacher’s classroom and get set up. When the class begins the teacher will need a few minutes to take attendance, check homework, and make announcements before they hand it over to you. Use that time to prepare.
2. Open your bag and set up some kites in front of the classroom. If you can, display a few different kinds of kites. A delta is easy to assemble, but don’t display all delta kites.
3. Start by asking the students about THEIR experiences. Ask them to raise their hand if they’ve ever flown a kite? Ask them to raise their hand if they’ve ever built a kite?
- Where did they fly kites?
- What kind of kite did they fly?
- What did they enjoy about it?
5. Ask them if they have questions for you. Pause. Wait for it. Wait. Wait. Okay, now they will finally raise their hands. Remember to include that delay.
6. You’re the expert. It’s likely that the students have never seen a kite festival, Sport kite, Revolution kite, indoor fly, or team fly. That leaves so much to say. You can talk about giant kites, weird kites, soft kites, traction, or teams.
7. Bring a crib sheet with notes that include:
- Stories with significance to you.
- Festivals that you’ll never forget.
- Some special event that happened to you because of kites.
- Anything you want to remember to mention.
8. The best way to arrange a visit is by contacting a teacher at a local middle school. Call or send email to a teacher, not to an administrator. The teachers value the excitement you’ll bring.
9. If you have some things to show put the items in a row and go from one to the next. Spools, winders, line, anchor, etc.
10. Remember to smile! You’re talking about something that is fun and joyful. Show that you enjoy it by smiling.
11. Give the teacher your contact information on a slip of paper with a link to the educational resources found on the AKA website https://www.kite.org/
12. Don’t be surprised if you get invited back!
This List brought to you by Glenn Davison the 2018 AKA Kite Education Chair
