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One of my school year’s resolutions this year was to simplify life. And one of the numerous ways in which I failed miserably in this goal, was to become a Destination Imagination team leader for a group of seven third grade boys. Possibly the only reason I survived the season with most of my hair attached to my scalp, is that another mom capably stepped up to co-lead with me.
If you’re as ignorant about DI as I was (as well as the rest of this group), here’s a little introduction. The premise is that the kids need to create a solution for a challenge posed by the organization. The challenge is multi-faceted and all the ideas must come from the kids — the team leaders’ jobs are to help the team understand the challenge and rules, facilitate discussion, and keep wrestling to a minimum (did I mention there were seven third grade boys?)
Most of our season — which started in December and ended last weekend — was spent on team-building activities, and it was only in the final month or so that we really made progress toward the solution to our challenge, which included a skit and an experiment. We dealt with many different personalities in this group, and marveled at the tremendous amount of time it takes to move a group toward a cohesive decision, without the adult taking charge.
You might think this should be right up my alley. After all, I’m a school counselor, and my book is about youth empowerment. But you REALLY need to be patient. And have I ever mentioned that this is completely not my strength? Right. That was probably a resolution once too.
Despite this challenging year, despite the fact I’m relieved the season’s over, I cannot deny the tremendous growth experienced by this team. I’m so proud of the way they all participated and communicated respectfully during the instant challenge, and how they performed their competition skit. I’m awed by the mature way the group went to the front of their classroom to discuss at length what they’d learned this year, regarding teamwork and research. And I can’t think of another experience that would have more effectively taught my son how to speak his opinions in a group of peers, to debate potential solutions among those with whom he’d previously remained silent, and to share creative ideas that I didn’t know were in him.
As co-leaders we constantly reminded ourselves throughout the season, about the true focus of this group of green DI members — of the purpose of our leadership, the reason for the challenge, and the way we’d know it had all been worthwhile.
Process over product.
Our mantra worked.
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1:37 pm
Am I crazy that your post made me nostalgic for my far-away teams?? The funny thing about DI is that it’s quite like childbirth. You are ready to melt by the time the tournament is over, but as summer passes you begin to forget the details and remember only the smiles and the growth the kids make! I’m heading back to a state with an affiliate in May and my hand will be raised high to volunteer again!
Congratulations for making it through!
1:43 pm
Thank you so much for your comment. I worried that my post could sound a little too snarky – but a fellow team leader certainly understands! When I listened to the boys talk in front of their classmates – so confidently and with genuine growth, it did make so many of the challenging memories fade. What a great bunch of kids.
I bit like childbirth – too funny. And so right.
2:01 pm
Congrats on sticking to it! It’s so rewarding to work with our kids and develop these critical traits and abilities. My PTT fits right in this week! Yay!
Hugs,
Holly
1:22 am
I’m curious – what did they come up with? What WAS the challenge?
6:40 am
Hi Pamela – They had to research a foreign country and invent a “myth” that was set there. Then they had to use the scientific process to prove whether or not the myth was possible or probable. They chose to research Brazil, then created a skit with a storyline about the myth of ghost of the Portugal king (there really was a Portugal king that lived in the colony of Brazil at one time.) They researched paranormal science to find out how to study ghosts, and discovered that some believe if your flashlight goes out unexpectedly, there might be a ghost around. They did an experiment in our house with flashlights, predicted there were not ghosts here, and their results supported their prediction.
They did a great job! And the skit was funny too.
5:12 pm
I love how it was a learning and stretching experience for mother and child; you were changed as a result. And from the looks of things, it was “all good” (not to say it always felt that way!).
Your mantra is a good one to lock and hold…mentally filing it away now.
7:33 pm
It was “all good” – and the challenging moments all worked toward something we needed to learn anyway (all of us!)
Thanks for your comment Robin!