6:00–6:05
Welcome circle
Name + one brave answer. No catching up required.
- Coach models first
- Welcome new kids into the same simple rhythm
- Celebrate bold and quiet
Try: “What’s one tiny problem you wish you could fix?”
60 minutes. Every kid builds. Every kid speaks.
The permanent class rhythm: themes rotate, the structure stays familiar, and a kid joining in any week fits right in.
6:05–6:15
Speaking game
A fast, playful warm-up that rotates weekly.
- Lower the pressure
- Make the room laugh
- Get every voice heard early
Rule: Silly is brave. The coach goes biggest first.
6:15–6:40
Build block
Kids make a fix, model, or prototype—then name it like a real product.
- Spot it: What problem are you solving?
- Make it: Use the craft supplies; imperfect is fine
- Name it: Give the invention a memorable product name
Coach job: Ask questions. Don’t take over the build.
6:40–6:55
Pitch + next-week spark
Every kid pitches, then leaves with a reason to look forward to next Tuesday.
- The pitch: Problem → invention → why it’s awesome
- The response: Room claps + one specific compliment
- The spark: Reveal one clue or let kids vote between two themes
Once a month: Invite parents into the final 10 minutes to watch the live pitches and stay for the pledge.
6:55–7:00
Brave moment + pledge
The final five minutes. Never skipped.
- Roll call: “My brave moment was…”
- Stamp or mark each take-home confidence card
- Flow straight into the class pledge
Pledge: Name the Pledge Captain, plant feet, and lead the full GPS Kids Pledge below.
Closing ritual · 5 minutes
THE GPS KIDS PLEDGE —
Feet planted, voices loud. The kid with the bravest moment that night becomes Pledge Captain and leads it.
Pledge Captain: "WHO ARE WE?!" / Everyone: "GPS KIDS!"
I AM A LEADER. (hand on heart)
I AM A SAVAGE. (flex!)
I LEAD, NOT FOLLOW.
I BELIEVE, NOT DOUBT.
I CREATE, NOT DESTROY.
I SPEAK WITH POWER. (mic-drop motion)
I SOLVE WITH PURPOSE.
I RISE. (up on your toes)
I LEAD.
I INSPIRE.
I AM GPS —
THE GREATEST PUBLIC SPEAKER.
THE GREATEST PROBLEM SOLVER.
NO EXCUSES. (stomp)
NO LIMITS. (arms wide)
I AM OUTSTANDING.
Louder every line: STEP UP. (clap) / STEP UP. (clap clap) / STEP UP! (jump + clap) / LET'S GOOO!
Coach notes: week one the coach leads and kids echo — by week three a kid runs it. Golden rule: "If the walls don't shake a little, we do it again."
The GPS Kids Way
Protect the vibe.
Any coach or helper can run the plan. These six rules keep the room safe, playful, and brave.
Silly is brave.
Play is not a distraction—it’s how kids loosen up enough to try.
Every kid pitches. Every week.
A whisper-pitch counts. Standing beside the coach counts. Never skip a kid.
Compliments get specific.
Replace “good job” with what you noticed: the strong opening, clear voice, funny name, or useful idea.
A freeze means the brain is working.
No rescuing or rushing. Give them any word to start, then let the next word come.
Energy comes from the coach first.
Model the answer. Be willing to look silly. Clap like it matters—because the room follows you.
The pledge is never skipped.
Whatever else changes, protect the final five minutes: brave-moment roll call, confidence-card mark, then the pledge.
Pick a warm-up
Story
One-Word Story
Build a silly story, one word per person.
Pitch
Sell This
Pitch a random classroom object in 20 seconds.
Twist
Fortunately / Unfortunately
Take turns making a story better, then worse.
Expert
Expert for a Minute
Teach the room about any topic you love.
Coach rescue lines
WHEN A KID FREEZES“Your brain is working. Start with any word—I’ll wait.”
WHEN A BUILD FEELS “WRONG”“Prototypes aren’t perfect. Show me what it’s trying to do.”
WHEN A VOICE IS QUIET“I can come closer. Your idea still deserves the room.”
WHEN ENERGY DROPS“Everybody up. Shake it out. Ten-second invention celebration!”
Keep the build bin ready
Cardboard, paper cups, tape, craft sticks, pipe cleaners, markers, scissors, string, foil, and recycled odds and ends.
Make every brave rep visible
Every class
During brave-moment roll call, stamp or mark one moment on each kid’s take-home confidence card. Write a few real words when useful: “strong opening,” “tried again,” or “clear voice.”
Once a month
Invite parents into the last 10 minutes. They watch the pitches live, hear the next-theme tease, and join the applause before the class closes together with the pledge.