Big Bug's Bad Day

Destination Imagination.  Have you ever heard of that?  I hadn't until this year when Jaden got involved.  It's a really neat program where kids are challenged to do problem-solving, learn teamwork and express their creativity.  As a G/T student at Snyder Elementary, he got the opportunity to participate in DI this year.  It was his (and our) first taste of an after-school extracurricular activity.  

It was hard work and he was part of a team of five first and second graders that got to write their own play, make their own costumes and act out the play at DI competition yesterday in Lubbock.

I know what you're thinking:  right up Jaden's alley!  And you're so right!  He had so much fun doing this and ate it up.

He got the privilege of playing the "big bug" in the play.  He was so excited the day he came home and told us that he got to be the big bug.  And, that he got to be a praying mantis which was his idea.  Not sure how he came up with that particular bug, but he said he just thought it was a cool and different kind of a bug.

So, like I said earlier, not only did the kids have to write their own play as a team, but they also had to make their own costumes.  Never in my wildest dreams did I think we'd ever have to come up with a praying mantis costume -- and oddly enough, there actually WERE examples on the Internet to look at.  I guess it's true that you can find anything on the Internet.  :-)

Anyway, Jaden had some good ideas about what he wanted.  Except for cutting out the holes in his mask and stapling his wings onto the belt, he did it all.

The storyline -- the praying mantis was sad because no one would play with him.  All the other bugs were afraid he was going to eat them.  

Here is our sad big bug...

Here are the other bugs playing while he sadly watches...

Notice the backdrop -- the kids had to draw and paint that as well.

The wasp, however, was NOT afraid of him and went over to talk to him...

The praying mantis told him that he was a vegetarian -- he was different and didn't eat other bugs.  So, they all became friends.  

Here is the group after they had finished the competition.

And here is Jaden with his DI medal that he received for competing.

He had so much fun!  Unfortunately, Jason did not get to go with us yesterday, but when we got home Jaden could not stop talking about the whole day to his Dad.  You could tell he was very excited and had so much fun with the whole thing!  Way to go, Jaden!  We are proud of you!