Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums General Discussion odyssey of the mind

Anyone do this? What do your kids think of it. I just got a flyer for DS5 and am wondering if he would like it and what all it entails. I never have any idea what they are talking about by the description. Solving a problem all year long through creative ways?? I just don't get it. I read the description and DS5 said "well that sounds fun...like maybe they would say something like 'how do you get from this place to that without using your hands or your feet' " I don't think that is what it is about but seriously I have no clue. Thoughts? Experiences?

I actually participated as a child (when it was still "Olympics of the Mind." Many, many years ago when I was probably 11, 12, 13. About that age range. A team at my school (after I left) actually went nationally one year.

I have fond memories of it. I recommend it. Being a coach is probably a tall order but I do see that in my future. Age 5 seems a little young, but then again, I didn't start until 5th/6th grade so maybe they expanded since then (yes faaaar more than 20 years ago).

JB

http://www.odysseyofthemind.com/registration/default.php

I never heard of this before. Check out their website. Yhis looks interesting. Lots of practice problems and info.

Like JB, I too participated as a child in 5th and 6th grade. I remember it being lots of fun and challenging. You work on a team to solve problems and challenges.

Of course, a lot has changed since I was in elementary school . . . dinosaurs went extinct, the fall of the Roman empire and electricity was discovered, for example.

I participated in 6th grade and am now initiating an Odyssey of the Mind membership in my school. It is wonderful for children because parents are not allowed to take over the problem-solving. The children lose points if the parents do. So parents are encouraged to help their children to use tools, if they are asked, and to support their children's ideas.

The other cool thing is that there are verbal and non-verbal problems. A child who is more mechanically inclined can do the car problem or the structure also, so it isn't all skits.:)