DIscussions - Volume 2, Number 3 (10/14/2008)
Welcome to Montana Destination ImagiNation
DIscussions newsletter is intended to be a quick guide to the DI program and to help Team Managers as their team works toward DI competition. If your school is considering the program for the first time, you can pick up the prior issues at www.mt-di.org to find out how to get started. It's not too late!
Who Owns the Challenge?
The object of the Destination ImagiNation competition is to have teams select challenges from the six challenges offered this year and compare their creative solutions at a tournament event. Once the team selects the challenge and begins discussing ideas, it takes ownership of the solution. All the ideas, all the materials, all the construction, all the scrip/song writing, all the performance is the product of the team members. The unique beauty of DI is that the kids have to do it all.
The team creates a vision that is independent of Team Manager, parent, teacher or any other influences. The team works together to develop this vision and turn it into a tangible solution. Any offers of ideas or help, pollute the team vision and take away ownership of the solution and team independence. The Destination ImagiNation program officially discourages teams from receiving well meaning help with their selected Team Challenges and has given it a name: Interference.
In future newsletters, we will Discuss the ways that Team Managers, parents, teachers and others can give appropriate help at appropriate times. For now, rest easy and know that if you're not on the team, "it's not your problem!"
Getting Started- Your Team's First Meeting
Your first meeting should be fun, informational and include:
- Team Building exercise or game - play a game where students and parents can highlight their own interests.
- Instant Challenge
- A time to explain the program and expectations.
Check out the 2008-09 DI program materials for the complementary issue of By DIsign Magazine. There are some good team building games and just for fun Instant Challenges.
The first meeting is for team members and parents. Everyone should have an opportunity to play the games and participate in challenges. This will set the stage for further explaining the program and the commitment to team members and parents. Have everyone bring their calendar of commitments through March and be sure to have the school calendar. This way you can tentatively schedule all of your meetings and not intrude on vacations or any other commitments of your team members.
Just remember, parents and teachers are allowed to see the Team Challenge Previews but it is a good idea to not talk about the 2009 Team Challenges until the team has solidified and is working on its own.
DI Fundraiser
Join us in a virtual fundraiser for Destination ImagiNation!
Just in time for the holidays! Order your favorite Pampered Chef Kitchen products and Entertaining Essentials and Destination ImagiNation will earn 20% from all sales! This is a super opportunity for you to get a jump on holiday shopping and help support Destination ImagiNation! To place an order, just go to the DI Fundraiser page on IDODI.org and follow the instructions on how to place an order. This fundraiser ends on November 15, 2008.
Team Building Games
1) What Can You Do With This
Materials: Odd objects you can find. The more unique and unknown the better.
Before the meeting put the object(s) in a paper bag so others cannot see them.
Pull an object from the bag and ask the team members to name all of the things for which the object can be used. Remind them to get creative. Give them a few seconds to think before asking them to start the list. You might want to record their list just to get them into the practice of sharing their ideas with the rest of the team.
2) Pass the Hoop
Materials: 1 or 2 Hula Hoops
Have the team stand in a circle and hold hands. Hang the hula Hoop on one team member's arm before all the hands are clasped.
The objective is for them to pass the hoop(s) around the circle without letting go of anyone's hands.
For more team building activities check out books such as Team Building Activities for Every Group and More Team Building Activities by Alanna Jones. Both of these books are available at www.shopdi.org .
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