Journeyman level

VI. JOURNEYMAN CLASS STRUCTURE:

PRINCIPLE: Once a student has found joy in studying a particular subject, they desire to learn more about it.  They are eager to discuss the concept or subject for a longer time than the “apprentice-level” student.  To accommodate this (without boring the other students) and allow for greater depth in exploring the subject with like-minded students, a “Journeyman” class is offered after or before the Core block for students willing to put in the work to learn more. 

Participation is limited to those willing to commit to the Journeyman level of study in that area.  This is when it is powerful and appropriate to bring in the “hard stuff” of learning: the skills and less “exciting” tools a student will need to excel in the area.  

At this point, I feel that a contract of commitment and accountability may be used between the student and the mentor in that area, signifying that the student is willing to submit to what the mentor challenges them to do to become more learned and experienced in that area, even if it is not in their particular learning “style”.  This method is good if the mentor feels it would be better to have continuity throughout the year in who is there or help the youth learn how to become committed in the long-term.

Some thoughts from Karen:
"The youth are free to choose a journeyman class that is available from each of these "lenses" or write their own.  Parents are welcome to write their own as well and offer them to the youth.

It's important that there is freedom in the way that they choose to certify in these classes, but also some parameters.  Here are some ideas:

Each proposed class should have breath, depth and application (know, understand and become if you are reading Elder Bednar's book) in the subject
Breath: It's history/Variety
Depth: Classic Books/Documents
Application: Skills/Experiences

As I see it right now, it seems that we have the following available under the different "lenses" (we could refine these to make sure they include the depth, breath and application)

Humanities: History, Constitution, Geography, Speech
Arts: Shakespeare
Science and Math: Eureka

Susan has talked to me about incentives - each class could have it's own reward for certifying (besides qualifying for the Master level) that pertains to the class such as a book or event."

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1. Some mentors have found it more effective to simply require that those who come to the class that day have fulfilled the apprentice and journeyman level.  In retrospect, this seems to work better to make the youth accountable each time without extensive follow-through with the mentor, and seems to be more effective overall in getting the apprentice-level youth take their scholarship to the next level as they try and "fail" (to qualify one week for a class) and try and succeed.  They have also allowed the option for having the youth come up with their own "journeyman certification outline" for the mentor to approve. What a great idea!

2. Others prefer to use a method where the journeyman class has a definite "enter" point with a contract involved and specific outline of what they will be learning over the course of their time in that level.

There are definite advantages and disadvantages of each, and I would welcome feedback in the reply section of this article for other viewpoints.  The following is what I see from my perspective:
-In the first method:
 --it is obvious if the youth is ready or not for that class,
--it minimizes the necessity of "checking up on" the youth in maintaining an overall level of education.  --the topic of the journeyman class is also directly tied into a core class theme, which allows for the youth to better pursue in depth.
-- youth get to "sample" different levels of education, even if they are not ready to commit to them regularly
--allows for more of a gradual, natural transition into the higher (or should I say "deeper") level of education

-In the second approach:
--might be helpful for a "bonus" journeyman class, for in depth topics that are complimentary but not tied on a weekly basis to the main topic of discussion, like a speech, writing, or constitution class
-- the youth are able to look at what he will get for "certifying" and decide if that is a skill set that he wants the mentor to guide him through.
-- allows the youth to make a commitment and follow-through (or not) with the aid of a mentor.
I used the second method at first, and have included some of the letters and "certification forms" below.  However, like I said, I can see the advantage of using the first method for the weekly classes to allow more depth and application.
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Below is a sample letter that we sent to the youth one year with journeyman class information:
"Letter to parents and youth:
As some of you may know, we have adapted the requirements for entering the Journeyman classes. Journeyman classes have requirements, since it is considered that at that level, the scholars are ready to submit to a mentor in that area to push them to further excellence. If a student is unable to maintain the requirements, they will be put on probation for that class and asked to reconsider their participation in that class.  It is estimated that it will take the youth approximately two years (more or less) to certify. (NOTICE: Geo-geniuses will now be required to bring monthly country reports, as we got a little lax last year in following through with that.  If you need help, the mentors would be happy to help you!  There are a few other adaptations for that class--same requirements!--, so please see the mentors if you have any questions.)

Since apprentice-level inspirements are expected from each student now on a weekly basis, each student must either:
1. Show readiness to participate in the Journeyman class for two months prior to joining by doing "journeyman level" inspirements in the classes that lead into that particular journeyman class (see below)  or
2. Schedule an interview with the primary mentor of the class of interest to go over expectations for that class and begin a two month trial period to see if they are able to maintain participation in that class.

Classes or categories that lead into journeyman class--Journeyman class (underlined)--Primary Mentor(s) (italicized):
Weekly journeyman level writing-Writing-Sister Marni Hall
Face-to-Face with Einstein--Eureka- Sister Mary Biesinger
Leadership Academy--Constitution Conquest-Sister Mary BiesingerGeography--Geo-Geniuses-Sister RaNae Housholder and Sister Karen BatesAncient History--History-Sister Biesinger

Attached are the weekly outlines for three of the classes, as well as how to become "certified" in that area. (History is "certified" once they have finished two books of Bauer's History in this class.)  Sister Hall has posted the writing week-to-week outline for her classes, and the Geo-genius mentors are working on their outline.
All classes but Geography meet weekly at Sister Biesinger's on Monday.  Geography is held at 9 am on Thursdays before Vanguard once a month at Dr. Hall's house.

Attached are also a more in depth description of the journeyman classes and the actual journeyman application form that will need to be filled out prior to entering the class and meeting with the mentor. (Yes, Angie, I have learned to export them as PDF...glory be!)

The ultimate vision is that when students are certified in all areas (or have shown comparable competence through other classes taken or work done) they will be qualified to participate in the  

VANGUARD MASTER CLASS, most likely to be started within the next two years, employing all their genius gained through those classes with peers as they tackle powerful, huge classics and issues, as well as more challenging coursework.  At that point, they will also be participating in Vanguard as assistant mentors to classes and journeyman-level classes.

If you have made it through this email and are interested in (or your youth is interested in) participating in the Journeyman classes this year, please contact the primary mentor to arrange a meeting before Vanguard starts to consider enrollment in that class.  Fees are a whopping $5 per youth for a semester per journeyman class :). (These fees may go up, depending upon success of the group Vanguard fundraisers, so please help out with these :)!)

Thanks for your time! Questions? Call me..."
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OTHER JOURNEYMAN RESOURCES:
Journeyman application form

Eureka (math and science) weekly outline and certification form

Other forms

I just quickly included some pros and cons, and would love to have other people's feedback of different ways they have set up this class.  Thanks!  Feel free to reply below!