worksheets

[deweylure]

I am having a problem with parents,
The scout shows up with a worksheet . Do i let him just read it? I thought demonstrate is demonstrate and discuss is discuss and write means write . I currently take the worksheet to review whats written and have the scouts answer the questions,with out it. What do other counselors do? I have been told i am doing it wrong .

Also dad said we know the answers because there is a special book available to MB counselors with all the answers ,I asked him where is the copy Never heard of this and have been doing it a while. Maybe its the MB book which is not even required

[Quailman]

I allow the boy to refer to his "notes", as I call the worksheets. I ask him questions as part of our discussion of a topic that he should have learned in getting the information to fill out the worksheet, but didn't write down.

If a boy offers it to me when we meet, I'll refer to it and ask him about his answer and if needed to expand on it, but I don't collect them.

As for an answer key, all Merit Badge Counselors should have in their background enough training and experience to know all of them. That's part of your qualifications. Anyone could be a MBC with an answer key, but the boys would lose out. A MBC should be able to answer the questions of a boy who finished the requirements but wants to learn more, because this one topic excited him, and he wants to learn more about cinematography, or robotics, or insect study (ick!).

[smtroop168]

MBs are earned by scouts not parents. MB "worksheets" that are available on this site and many others are not official BSA documents. They are optional tools which can assist in guiding scouts and when used in conjunction with the MB pamphlet can help when meeting with the MBC in completing certain requirements. They are not acceptable as sole proof of the completion of requirements. While completing a worksheet may suffice for some MBs as evidence of work accomplished, it cannot substitute for mandated discussions or demonstrations. Deweylure is correct, when a requirement says, "discuss," or "tell about," or "show," or "demonstrate," that is exactly what must be done. Writing about it does not meet the requirement. If a discussion is supposed to be held with the MBC, then a discussion with someone else does not meet the requirement. MBCs also cannot require these to be completed to earn the badge.

I'm still looking for the special book with all the answers too.

[SoCal76]

When you find the book with all the answers, save a copy for me! In the meantime, I always refer to the MB pamphlet.

The worksheets are good for organizing thoughts, but to me 'discuss' means using words, i.e. talking.

[jr56]

I also go by the wording of the requirements. Show means show, discuss means discuss, list means list, etc.........
No, there is no master list of all the answers, a MBC is supposed to have more knowledge than the book. But you can only require the boy to fulfill the requirements as written, no more, no less. If the boy wants additional information from the MBC, it should be available.