Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Recommended Resources Odyssey of the Mind

Is anyone around here familiar with this program?
http://www.odysseyofthemind.com/learn_more.php

It's very popular among GT families here, but I don't have any personal experience with it. I've just heard great things.

If this is the former Olympics of the Mind (forced to change its name for legal reasons), then yes, but as a participant some 20 years ago. Loved it. Basically you would form a team of something like 6 or 8 kids and you'd have a typical "problem" to solve. For example, on one team we had to use balsa wood to construct a bridge. The bridge that could hold the most weight would win. They would pair this with creative problem solving quizzes, and skits. You'd get points for each activity and the top team got to go onto the next level. At our school our team (one of the years that I did not participate) went on to the national level. Very fun, educational activity.

Again, though, IF that is the same organization.

JB

Yeah, everyone on my team was in the GT program at my school. That's how I knew those kids.

I can't wait until 2xDS get older. I see visions of myself being a coach...

JB

I hope you do, JB! Sounds like they are in need of adults willing to step in.

I would love to see DD8 participate in something like that.
Unfortunately she didn't seem to enjoy the last two group problem solving activities she participated in.

She said she would do the assignments by herself, but not in a group.

Any thoughts?

Hmmm...

Did you ask why doing them with others was a problem?

It sounds like she needs to be prepped for group work, making doggone sure she knows there are others pitching in. Did she just assume it was a solo project, or was there some misunderstanding?

No, In both situations she knew there would be group collaboration and was open to it going in.

She never said anything one way or the other except that she didnt' want to do it again.

Then when the opportunity for Great Books at school came up, she seemed interested until she understood they would be discussing the book as a group.

She just says: "Because I don't want to."

There is no problem at school working with others, she just won't do extra-curricular in this environment.

When I dug a little more about great books she said she would have a book discussion club with me only and she would choose the books.

I haven't really pushed it, but I would love to see her intereacting with others in this type of creative environment.

I never liked group work myself. It was always me doing all the work or the others driving me crazy by being going off on tangents that didn't apply to the assignment. I'm not saying this is a good thing, just how it was for me. Maybe it was something similar with your DD. Have you checked her personality type??? Some personalities seem to do better in group work situations than others.

We cross posted neato!

Good point! She is ITP, what do you think?