Just before Halloween, I presented my students with our first Destination Imagination instant challenge of the year:
Challenge: Carve a pumpkin and use it as a character in a performance.
Scenario: Your team will come up with a pumpkin design that represents a new super hero—a hero that helps people in our school community with a pressing issue.
During a DI challenge we use and develop the following core skills:
Critical Thinking
- Identify and clarify problems.
- Ask questions.
- Plan and manage time and responsibilities.
- Explore a variety of solutions.
- Analyze, synthesize, interpret, and evaluate information.
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Communication
- Use various media and technologies in different ways.
- Share ideas and information to solve problems.
- Listen carefully and respectfully to the ideas of others.
- Follow directions.
- Encourage others to expand their ideas.
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Creativity
- Use strategies, such as brainstorming, to generate ideas with the group.
- Apply prior knowledge to develop new ideas.
- Experiment with different solutions.
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Collaboration
- Take an active part in the challenge.
- Be flexible and willing to compromise.
- Share responsibility for completing the task.
- Learn from other group members.
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Students attacked the challenge with enthusiasm as you can see in the video below. We laughed a lot during the skits!
Huzzahnians, think back on this challenge and your group’s efforts. Describe the hero you created. Using the language of the four C’s, above, what were your strengths? Use specific examples from the challenge. What is a next step to work on to develop your skills. What suggestions do you have for me as a teacher to help you learn and grow at critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication?
Blog visitors, have you ever done a DI challenge? If so tell us about it. If not, what ways do you use creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and communication in your life and learning?
I look forward to hearing from you!
