destination imagination

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Destination Imagination 2013

One of the greatest thrills in the learning process is observing a group of learners experiencing the creative process from imagination to innovation.  This is never more prominent than our students who are involved in the Destination Imagination  program here at LME.  The premise behind this international phenomenon is the simple approach taken to develop opportunities for learners in their diverse and creative thinking processes.  The creative process includes the ability to recognize a challenge or problem, to imagine new options, to initiate and commit to a possible option, to collaborate using social intelligence, to assess for the best solution, and to evaluate the final results.  In plain English:  You tackle a problem with a group and create an action plan to solve it!   🙂

We are fortunate at LME to have two active (and  highly competitive) teams of DI learners who completely embrace the creative process in a big way!  They are truly working to be creative in every aspect of their lives.  Under the gentle guidance of parent team managers, these teams identify a challenge and use their crafted problemDSC_0076 solving skills to create imaginative, innovative solutions.

Both teams competed this past weekend in the regional DI Tournament in Mineral Wells.  Our Rising Stars Team of Collin, Avery, Gunner, Alessandra, Grace, and Allyson was given a special award for their outstanding teamwork and collaboration throughout the process.  Our EstablisheTeam Photo BWd Team of Kathryn, Tanner, Whitney, Skyler, Allana, and Aidan truly “WOWed” the audience with their highly creative interpretations and outcomes.

Congratulations to both groups of creative learners and their team managers for once again shining like the stars they are in patience, flexibility, persistence, elaboration, respect for others and their ideas, and using the creative problem solving process so well!  As one friend shared:  “DI is all about the experience, Mrs. Van; we work as a team to think and act out our ideas together so REAL learning takes place.”  Here’s to the DI process!  🙂

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Monday Messages…

While sifting through the stack of documents on my desk this morning after walk-about, I noticed several items coming home to families today.  Perhaps a quick recap will assist you in organizing the many opportunities coming to LME soon:

Fall Party Reservation – This bright orange 1/2 sheet to make your reservation should be completed so we have your badge ready that day.  Please return by October 19th.

Art To Remember – This artistic opportunity is strictly optional (and has been highly requested by many parents the past four years at LME).  Mr. Fio is sending a reminder about the envelope and artwork coming home soon for you to purchase products featuring your child’s art.  Again, this is voluntary; all orders are due on Nov. 2nd.  You can email Mr. Fio @ scott_fiorenza@midlothian-isd.net with your questions.

Destination Imagination – This educational program teaches the creative problem solving process and critical thinking skills by having students solve open-ended challenges to present final solutions.  Teams are forming now in grades K-2 and 3-5 at the elementary level.  Up to seven members can be on a team.  Each team must have an adult team manager to facilitate the development of a creative solution to the DI Challenge.  There are six DI Challenges to choose from this year in the areas of technical, scientific, fine arts, improvisation, structure, and service learning fields.  The regional tournament will be Saturday, February 23 at Mineral Wells High School.  You can learn more about DI @ DestinationImagination.org or email our campus sponsor @ jennifer_blair@midlothian-isd.net for more information.  Our Miller teams are forming now!

MISD Homecoming 2012 – Friday, October 26th is Homecoming in MISD!  Elementary students will release @ 12:45 p.m.  Students will be allowed on this day only to wear community-sponsored athletic and cheering program uniforms to school.  The annual Homecoming Parade will begin at 3:00 p.m. and the game starts @ 7:30 p.m. at the MISD Multi-purpose Stadium.  Be watching the website for more details.

We also have our fall Book Fair next week here at LME.  The Book Fair will be open on Thursday, Oct. 25 from 8:00 – 8:00; we hope to see you there!  October 29 – November 2 will be Red Ribbon Week in MISD–more details coming soon on daily themes and opportunities.  Finally, our annual Veteran’s Day Assembly will take place earlier this year in our gym.  As is tradition, our 5th graders will present a moving tribute to veterans.  They will share their program on Thursday evening, Nov. 1 @ 7:00 p.m. and again on Friday morning @ 8:15 a.m.  Please wear your red/white/blue and join us!

Fall brings great learning and sharing opportunities; this year is no exception!  We hope to see you here!

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Destination ImagiNation!

One of the more unique programs offered in Midlothian ISD is the Destination ImagiNation (DI) program for students.  DI is a hands-on, minds-on creative problem solving process where students can learn to unleash their imaginations and take unique approaches to problem solving on a global scale.  The vision for DI:  “To be the global leader in teaching the creative process on the journey from imagination to reality.”

So what do students do in DI?  Student teams work together to solve open-ended challenges on a variety of topics and then present their solutions in creative ways at regional tournaments.  MISD has a long history with DI (since 1999) and an even longer history with Odyssey of the Mind (similar program many years back).  Teams think on their feet, work cohesively, and design original solutions; they also have fun, take creative risks, focus together, and frame ideas while working with STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) and the arts (music, art, drama presentations).

As a mom of former DI-ers, I can vouch firsthand on the fact it is rewarding work and fabulous training for real-life.  Our oldest daughter just recently shared with me how the skills developed through many years of DI helped her solve problems at the university level; several of her peers were completely lost in the creative problem solving process.

We had two LME teams participate this past weekend in DI competition at the regional level.  Our “Rising Stars” team (grades K-2 only) included Hannah, Avery, Emma, and Collin.  They won the prestigious “Spirit of Discovery and Imagination Award” in their age category for outstanding achievement; way to go Rising Stars!

Our DI team of “older” members included Mia, Skyler, Kathryn, Aidan, Whitney, Brooke, and Allana.  They competed with teams from all over the region in a global challenge involving famous folks such as Albert Einstein, Cleopatra, Amelia Earhart, Athena, Ellen Ochoa, and others.  Shown here with their DI Coach, Dan Altman (dedicated Miller parent and volunteer), they did an amazing job as well!  Congratulations and special thanks to each team member, family, and coaches for your dedication and enthusiasm to DI this year!

Patience, flexibility, fluency, elaboration, originality, persistence, and respect are just some of the valuable learning tools the creative problem solving process offers to young learners.  Here’s hoping we have many more participate in DI in the years to come!  🙂