Paul Revere Middle School - Odyssey of the Mind
SYLLABUS
Teacher: Janice Anderson
The Odyssey of the Mind teaches students to learn creative problem-solving methods while having fun in the process. By tapping into creativity, and through encouraging imaginative paths to problem-solving, students learn skills that will provide them with the ability to solve problems -- great and small -- for a lifetime. The Odyssey of the Mind teaches students how to think divergently by providing open-ended problems that appeal to a wide range of interests. Students learn how to identify challenges and to think creatively to solve those problems.
By the end of this course, you will
- Develop team-building skills by working together to solve problems
- Apply the engineering design process in a team project
- Think critically and apply fundamental principles of system modeling
- Learn to examine problems and to identify the real challenge without limiting the possible solutions and their potential success.
- Use time management techniques to develop team schedules to meet project objectives
- Use elements of the writing process to compose an imaginative story that includes well-paced action and an engaging story line.
- Compete at the Houston Regional Tournament, aspiring to the Texas State Tournament.
To successfully complete this course, you must
- Participate with a positive attitude
- Be able to think “Outside the Box”
- Work well with others
- Attend class everyday and tournaments
Required Materials
School Supplies:
- 1 Composition Notebook, which will stay in the classroom
- 1 pencil
- 1 package of fine point markers
- pencil pouch to hold pencil and fine point markers (could be a ziploc bag or $1 one that fits in three ring binder)
- Email address. Students will work collaboratively using Google Docs, Google Drawing on Google Drive
IMPORTANT DATES ·
March 9, 2019 – Houston Regional Competition.
Location: Revere Middle School
10502 Briar Forest Drive
Houston, TX 77042
· April 6, 2019 – Texas State Competition.
Location: Waller High School
20950 Field Store Rd
Waller, TX 77484
COURSE SCHEDULE
1st quarter grading period - TEAM BUILDING AND PROJECT PROCESS GROUNDWORK
Week 1: Class expectations, team building activities
Week 2: Spontaneous Problem solving: Verbal, Hands-on, Verbal/Hands-on
Week 3-4: The 5 Long-Term Problems: Students select teams/problems.
Week 5: Dissect and analyze the Problem requirements and limitations
Week 6: Organize and plan for the upcoming weeks of preparation.
Week 7: Setting and Characters
Week 8: Plot Points and Pacing
Week 9: Script format
2nd Quarter grading period - WRITING PROCESS/ WRITING LITERARY TESTS/
PROJECT TECHNICAL DESIGN PROCESS
Week 1: Story Boards
Week 2: Script Writing, first draft and editing.
Week 3: Script writing, 2nd draft
Week 4: Set and Prop Design (special effects)
Week 5: Character Design (costumes)
Week 6: Final Script
Week 7: Prepare Play
Week 8: Story Project Presentation
3rd Quarter grading period - DEVELOP AND TEST MODEL FOR PROJECT
Week 1-9: Teams will prepare for the Houston Regional competition; Spontaneous and Long-term problems
Houston Regional Tournament (Saturday, March 9, 2019)
4th Quarter grading period - PRESENT THE PROJECT USING CLEAR COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Week 1-2: Teams will prepare for the State Tournament; Spontaneous and Long-term problems
Texas State Tournament (Saturday, April 6, 2019)
Week 3: Research engineering project for OM v ENGR challenge
Week 4: Plan and Build project
Week 5: Challenge Engineering Classes
Week 6: Plan Odyssey Angel Project for next year
Week 7: Write Odyssey Angel project proposal
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
General Rules:
- Be courteous and kind.
- Offer constructive and positive feedback to team members.
- All ideas have potential and deserve respect.
- Keep hands, feet and other objects to yourself.
- Be Productive.
Grading Policies:
Class Work (25%)
Homework (10%)
Quizzes (20%)
Test and assessments (30%)
Projects and Products (15%)
* www.Odysseyofthemind.com