Information AfternoonInformation Afternoon

What we hope to achieve? Introduce new facilitators to

Tournament of Minds Provide guidance for team selection

and ways to approach ToM Explain the structure of ToM and

necessary procedures Offer resources that are available

The two components of ToM The teams are given 6 weeks to work through a Long

Term Challenge to be presented before a panel of judges and a live audience on Finals Day. Teams receive the challenges early in Term 3. The teams receive NO assistance from teachers, parents or peers.

On Finals Day, they then participate in an unseen Spontaneous Challenge before only a panel of judges. This challenge requires rapid interchange of ideas, the ability to think creatively and well developed group cooperation skills. The team receives only 3-4 minutes to develop a creative response to the challenge.

Which kids gain from the ToM experience?

Look for the Gifted Look for the Able Bright Learner Look for the student with a Specific

Talent Look for the student who is

motivated and enthusiastic Look for the Collaborator

Selection ProceduresThere are three main issues Which students to select? How to select? How to put teams together?

Which students to select?The following criteria can be useful

Gifted, general high academic achievement or a specific talent (music, art, technology, mathematics, drama)

Enjoys creative thinking Able to work independently Good public speaking ability or dramatic talent A good leader or good cooperative skills Motivated, willing to give up their own time

and shows a sense of commitment Energy and enthusiasm

How to select? Teacher nomination Student nomination Open invitation Auditions/applications Mock ToM finals (spontaneous

challenge) Combination of above

Team requirements Teams are made up of 7 students,

with a maximum of 4 from any year level.

Secondary (Middle in Darwin) teams must have two team members from their year of entry.  

How to put teams together? Teacher selection based on prior

knowledge of students and performance

Student choice A combination of the above

Facilitator’s responsibilities

Become familiar with the Important Dates Calendar

Return the School Registration Form by 16 May

Read the 2008 ToM Instructional Manual

Return Team Nomination Forms by 8 August

All following information available on our web page http://www.tom.edu.au/

Click link to Northern Territory Announcements Important dates calender 2008 Information Letter 2008 Resource Order Form School Registration Form Ongoing Forms/information

Important Dates Calendar

TOURNAMENT OF MINDS NT 2008

IMPORTANT DATES DATE ACTIVITY CONTACT AND VENUE

Term 1 Week 7

Information Afternoon 3:30pm

Katrina Otway, Vicki Manley 89279823 katrina.otway@ntschools.net vicki.manley@ntschools.net Nakara Primary School

Term 2 Week 1

Information Afternoon 3:30pm

Jo Jefferson joanne.jefferson@ntschools.net 89359000 Driver Primary School

Friday 16th May (Week 5 Term 2)

School Registrations close NB invoices will be forwarded on receipt of registration and Instruction Manuals will be forwarded when the school registration fee has been paid

Tournament of Minds NT PO Box 1221, Nightcliff, NT 0814

14th and 15th June

Thinking Skills Workshop, Drama Workshop – for students, Facilitators Workshop To be run by Carol O,Donnell- ToM’s National Director

Jo Jefferson joanne.jefferson@ntschools.net 89359000 Thevi Chelliah thevi.chelliah@ntschools.net 89881255 Exact times and venues to be confirmed closer to the date

Monday 28rd July (Week 2 Term 3)

Challenges arrive in registered schools for facilitators to photocopy

Yvonne Darcey yvonne.darcey@ntschools.net 89488488

Monday 4th August (Week 3 Term 3)

Facilitators distribute challenges to teams. Teams begin working on challenges

Yvonne Darcey yvonne.darcey@ntschools.net 89488488

Friday 10th August 2006 (Week 3 Term 3)

Team nomination forms close NT Director, ToM NT NB invoices will be forwarded on receipt of registration

Yvonne Darcey yvonne.darcey@ntschools.net 89488488

Saturday 8th September 2007 (Week 7 Term 3)

NT Finals – all day NB It is essential that all registration payments have been made by this date

Charles Darwin University Casuarina Campus Buildings 24 & 35

Sunday 23rd September (End Week 9 Term 3)

3 Hour Challenge Practice Day – for NT Finalist Teams

Details to finalists following Regional Finals

Friday 19th October 2007 (end of Week 2 Term 4)

Opening Ceremony of Australasian Pacific Finals - Canberra

Details to finalists in following Regional Finals

Saturday 20th October 2007(end of Week 2 Term 4)

Australasian Pacific Finals - Canberra

Details to finalists following Regional Finals

(NT) Inc 02209C

Registration Form

SCHOOL REGISTRATION FOR 2008 To register your school for Tournament of Minds 2007 you will need to complete the following form and return by fax to:

Yvonne Darcey Nightcliff Primary School Ph (08) 89488488 Fax: (08) 89488499 Or email the details to yvonne.darcey@ntschools.net

ON OR BEFORE FRIDAY 18TH MAY. We will then forward a tax invoice for $130.00 to your school registrar. On receipt of your school registration payment we will forward your 2007 ToM Instruction Manual to your school coordinator.

School Name: Postal Address: Phone: Fax: School Coordinator: Email:

TEAM NOMINATIONS Schools may enter any number of teams and the school selection process normally occurs late in Term 2 or Week 1 Term 3. Please read Instruction Manual carefully regarding team membership. Team nominations must be submitted to the above address on the Team Nomination Form included in the Instruction Manual.

These must be received ON OR BEFORE FRIDAY 10TH AUGUST and you will be sent a further tax invoice for $30.00 per team. Please Note: Teams will not be eligible to participate if this payment has not been made by September 7th.

(NT) Inc 02209C

How to prepare students for ToM

Some possible ways to allocate time for ToM:

A ToM Club – meets at lunch time A whole class activity

Within school activity – lesson time is provided across classes

Mini Tournament – students work in own time

Facilitators should assist teams with the following but teams must

complete their own admin requirements

ToM rules and school expectations ToM administration requirements of the

team (allowable materials, cost form, performance skills form, copies of script, outside assistance form etc.)

Practise Spontaneous Challenges (includes role definition and time management)

Provide a plan of attack for the Long Term Challenge

Warm up games – 5 minutes Skills and strategies – 30 minutes Drama skills Public speaking practice Cooperative games Brainstorming techniques Creative thinking strategies Role definition A plan of attack for the Long Term Challenge The Long Term Challenge – 30 minutes Time to work through some Challenges as a group with an aim to presenting

one for practice judging at the end of Term 2

Reflection and Evaluation – 10 minutes Self and team evaluation

A typical ToM Session may include:

Resources ToM Manual Spontaneous Challenge CD Long Term Challenge CD 3 Hour Challenge CD

Resource Order Form

Useful Resources for ToM Facilitators

We have past challenge and facilitators guides for sale. These provide an excellent opportunity for students to practice their challenge solving skills and familiarise themselves with the process of the Tournament Challenge. If you wish to order these please return the following with your registration. Quantity Description Unit Price Total

Tournament of Minds Spontaneous Past Challenges - CD Contains examples of Spontaneous Challenges used in Regional, State and Australian Tournaments in previous years.

$30.00

Tournament of Minds Long Term Past Challenge Book Contains a collection of Long Term Challenges for Regional Finals in Social Sciences and Maths/Engineering for 1995 to 2000 inclusive

$20.00

Tournament of Minds Long Term (six week) Past Challenges 2000 – 2004 CD

$30.00

Tournament of Minds Three Hour Past Challenges 2000 – 2004

$30.00

Facilitators Guide CD A comprehensive guide full of ideas on choosing and preparing teams

$25.00

Postage and Handling (for schools outside the Darwin education courier run)

$4.00

Total Order

$

(NT) Inc 02209C

Potential Disciplines for 2008Will be chosen from: Language/Literature Maths/Engineering Social Science Technology

Addition Support / Opportunities for teams and facilitators Full day Skills workshops for teams

and facilitators Tony Ryan – Thinkers Keys

Full day workshops

A final note It is a good idea to send notes home to

parents or hold a parent meeting, to ensure everybody is aware of their obligations

All facilitators and students participating in ToM should be aware that the NT finalist teams and their facilitators will travel to Melbourne for the Australasian Pacific Finals to be held on Saturday 25 October 2008.

Enjoy the Challenge!