Code Names: Among Us Edition

A couple of weeks ago I was answering emails, updating grades and checking boxes off my to do list during my plan period. It was time to start thinking about classes and curriculum planning. I began to think about my ELA class, our current unit and the routine (rut-ish) it felt like we were in. Next up in the lesson was vocabulary review. My brain began to swirl with ways I could flip the lesson to make it more interactive, more engaging and not me simply asking a question and students answering. Instantly I went to the games part of my brain and began to swipe through options that would go with my lesson: Werewords, Code Names, Just One, Starlink

Just One. That’s an option. Warewords…oohhhh I’d been wanting to bring that into my classroom. Wait…Code Names…Code Names. Oooooo! What about Code Names and Among Us? Could I? Would it work?

Continue reading “Code Names: Among Us Edition”

Classroom Gamification Organization

Gamifiers organize their classroom gamification systems in all kinds of ways. Me…. well I’m old school. Paper, dividers, clear sleeves, envelopes and a big honkin binder! 

Today while organizing my elements for my year long game of my gamified classroom I realized that there is great power in looking back, seeing where you have come from and how far you have come. Oh and I also give you a peek into my binder and how I organize my game and its elements.

Organizing Your Gamified Classroom

Interested in learning more, bringing it to your classroom and using it to bring out the very best in your students? Check out more of my vlogs about my classroom, gamifying and learning. 

Other peeps and resources to check out too:

#XPLAP Twitter Chat

Michael Matera

#XPLAP Book Study 2 Notes

#XPLAP Chat Design Challenge Theme Notes

#XPLAP Chat Mini-Games and Quest Ideas 

Stefanie Crawford

Adam Powley

 

WHY NOT: The Story Behind my “Why Not” Sketchnote

Last month (July 11, 2016) was  International Edcamp Leader  day. Not only was I super excited to be part of this day, learn from and be inspired by local Illinois leaders but the organizers of the Edcamp thought it would be fun to have ignite speeches after our lunch.  I jumped at the chance to give an Ignite Speech (actually I squealed in happiness and then thought what the heck have I gotten myself into…eeekkk).  After a day or two of brainstorming I had my theme.  As I wrote the speech, I knew I wanted to use this opportunity to really push myself  as a creator and as a presenter… not only would I share a belief I am deeply passionate about, I would draw the entire ignite speech. Continue reading “WHY NOT: The Story Behind my “Why Not” Sketchnote”

Technology Inequality: The Quest for Change

I sat in the auditorium at my second Edcamp*, Edcamp Chicago.   Excitement filled me.  Excitement  for the amazing stories I would hear,  the new educators I would meet and the new innovative, outside the box ideas I would learn filled me!  The moderators took the microphones, welcomed us and shared the foundation of Edcamps (the part that really makes them awesome)**

Educators began coming to the front, writing their session ideas on neon notecards,  stepping up to the microphone to share their idea and have it added to the grid. Ideas, strategies, techniques filled the session grids.  I began to decide which ones I wanted to go to.  I had the link to the grid, the room number of the first session I was going to and I was excitement and ready to start!!!

Up first….Flipped Classroom session.

I found my spot at a table in the Science lab classroom that would house this session. People came in and found their spots too. I found a plug…because duh! I forgot to charge up before coming to a tech conference.  The room filled up.  When the clock clicked to the start time of this session, someone spoke up and decided that we should all introduce ourselves.

“Huh… Not something we usually do at these things,” I thought to myself and shrugged “but ok?!”

People to the left of me took turns telling us their names and what they taught. I took my turn and my friend took hers too.  Next  it was time for the front of the room to introduce themselves. Three teachers sitting at a front table took turns introducing themselves.  Each of them introducing themselves as teachers in the dual language*** program at one of area elementary schools.

“How exciting,” I thought “Someone from my daughters school district!”

“They’re from my daughters district,” I whisper to my friend ” This is awesome. They are so behind in technology at my daughter’s school. I’m so happy they’re here!”

They finished their introductions with we have no technology in our classrooms.

A huge sighed of sadness and an aw of surprise that this serious lack of technology even exists filled the room.

Introductions finished and we were finally ready to start talking Flipped Classrooms.

I pulled my laptop (my district issued laptop) in front of me and opened it up. I looked up to see the teachers from my daughters district pull out a pen and paper.  My heart sank. Continue reading “Technology Inequality: The Quest for Change”