#XPLAP Archive
Book study chat focusing on Explore Like a Pirate, written by Michael Matera.
Wednesday February 17, 2016
8:00 PM EST
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Welcome to book chat! So excited to dive into theme & storytelling tonight. Introduce yourself and share your favorite story genre?
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For this discussion we will use the standard Q1 A1 format. This chat will be storified at the end & posted to https://t.co/XJLKHbxaZM
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Jay Hentzen MS science teacher. story genre = scifi/fantasy
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Michael Matera
Middle School World History
love realistic fiction as well as blogs!
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Tisha Richmond, HS Culinary Arts, OR I've always loved mysteries and inspirational stories.
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Nick Baskwill, Grade 5, Fantasy - Dragonlance is still a fav
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great to have you back and I think we could all see the science teacher liking scifi just like me with historical fiction
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Don't have yet? We are just going chapter by chapter. Pick up a copy at Amazon and join in the fun!
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Have not read that one. I like to talk with my students about the Youngest TEMPLAR great series
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Hi, Carrie King, Middle School World Cultures - fav. genre-young adult- does that count?
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Drew 6th grade lit from Iowa! Love realistic fiction
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Check out Youngest Templar if you have not yet. You and your students will love it.
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Hi everyone! I'm Stefanie from Peoria, IL and I teach 2nd grade. My favorite genre to read is adventure/realistic/mystery & poetry
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I like it a lot, more for HS then Elem kids, but great story and descriptions.
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wouldn't miss it. The chapter this week really got my wheels turning!
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Rebecca Gauthier middle school world history has been trying to get me into story games. I'm more of an explorer.
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Q1 will be coming your way in 2 minutes!! Can’t wait to get started!
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Thanks for that feedback. I love theme and story and think it can be fun for both students and teachers.
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Michele, 8th grade ELA teacher in NY. Favorite genre is contemporary realistic. Joining for great ideas & conversation
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Great to have you here Rebecca! My students and I have been working on a Roman Theme of 2rooms
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Hi . My favorite genre is crime fiction. Read the Drifter by . Good stuff.
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Cool I will have to check that out!
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ooo love it! Wow Rome already? Still have like 2 wks more of Greece
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A1 Ss reflect on fam food traditions & share w/ class and I do too. Food is powerful & important aspect of tradition and culture.
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Oh so do I probably more than 2 weeks. I thought I would plan ahead so we could play it in that unit. Must build now
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A1: I find that I will tell stories that have a personal connection or something they can relate to
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A1: I like to share with students some facts about the time and setting of my class game. Helps them get into the world.
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A1. I share stories of resilience, perseverance and of family. What a great question to start the hour.
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oh good I don't feel so far behind. That's probably good to plan ahead. I really need to do that more often!
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A1: I share stories of goals I had growing up and going after them
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In the process of creating the story for our room. Using formula to create our story. Theme, setting, characters, action.
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Try to share stories of people who have done impressive things in science, or succeeded through failure. also personal stuff
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A1: Storytelling can be a lost art. Today, I dusted off that art as I told the story of the battle of marathon. Ss on edge of seats.
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A1: Love to share stories by writing in front of them.They love my eXtreme Bingo tradition story involving missing wedding gifts
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A1: Ss reflect on family traditions. My fav. is when the Ss share stories from the gparents growing up in Vietnam or Cambodia.
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When I first started teaching I taught a memoir unit on food, culture, and identify with my middle schoolers https://t.co/dX0k722vTn
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A1 Ss reflect on fam food traditions & share w/ class and I do too. Food is powerful & important aspect of tradition and culture.
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yes. This is the best way to validate what is important to you as a person.
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A1 I love sharing stories from vacations or life in general. Love trying to connect experiences to world history
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A1 I love talking to students about the ship of Theseus and using stories to support thought experiments/philosophical disc
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glad to hear that you are using the navigating the waters section. Those can be powerful when intentionally walked through
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When I was first introduced to a teacher had the Ss write the stories of their avatars
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What a great idea for writing. or I may steal this idea. https://t.co/I7Z1WulBOk
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When I was first introduced to a teacher had the Ss write the stories of their avatars
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Love the idea of having students help build the tapestry of the game world by writing back stories
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Love this response. thanks!
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Also telling stories about battles always gets the kids going. Last wk was Troy this wk last stand of the 300
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Love having a culture of foods in my SS classroom! Students can bring in foods from different cultures and share recipes!
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Debbie Benedict grades 4-6 historical fiction and new convert to mystery genre
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This is awesome… I always wanted to have a Realm of Nobles banquet but I have yet to do so…
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Glad to have you joining tonight.
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I taught TX History, the plastic army men came out & maps. re-enacted the battles & blockades of civil war. https://t.co/SJiQtKxnQj
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Also telling stories about battles always gets the kids going. Last wk was Troy this wk last stand of the 300
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A2: i show my Ss examples of my own storytelling and writing. That adds fuel to their fire.
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Yes, always collecting stories of young ppl who persevered/invent like https://t.co/rHgrpaiN8f
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Try to share stories of people who have done impressive things in science, or succeeded through failure. also personal stuff
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A2: Try to make sure they are proud of what they do and find humor along the way! making them comfortable to share their stories
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nice! I really would like to do this with Alexander the Great!
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A2: Sharing stories that have moved me or inspired me. They love stories of successful people who have had to learn from failures
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A2: Let our students write all the time and share/celebrate the stories they tell
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A2: I do lead learner strategy in class. I help a few Ss develop a new talent… Others want in… :) stars aren’t born, they are made!
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a2) try to get them to see that they make the decisions that affect their life. They get to create their legacy. That's freedom
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YES! Writing is a muscle! The more you use it the stronger it gets
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A2: Freq. reminding Ss that their name is all they leave behind. What legacy or story will be told with that name?
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A2. I can be more intentional about this. Self reflection can help Ss be more self aware along with time for reflection.
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A2: A lot of the time, 6th graders think they can leave a legacy. In my class they get the message, every day is a chance to do so.
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A2 part 2: Call out Ss for building their name in a positive light!
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A2. Encourage them to pursue their passions and create their own story.
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Q3 coming at ya in 2 minutes!
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A2. Shared the story of Tank Man. Provoked good questions and made Ss ponder courage and acts of defiance
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A2 and by tell my story I try to get them to tell stories about their life and connect it to what we are learning about.
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A2: Last week I showed some students a web editing software… There minds blown. This week minds are sharpened and building sites.
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Isn't that the truth. Clean slate each day with my sixth graders too.
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A2: Part 2) It is about exposure to new ideas, possibilities & technologies that help open up new horizons for Ss to leave their mark
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All about making those connections! Building that rapport with your students!
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I use historical fiction novels in my 7th SS to teach Social Injustices. The kids love this project! Lit Circles!
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A3 I've used movie One Hundred Foot Journey and TV shows: Great food truck race, Masterchef, and Cake Boss as themes in culinary
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A3: I use a medieval theme. I built a website around the theme as well. https://t.co/tJHzMLFXjY check it out. Many hidden buttons.
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A3: right now, 1 class and I have layered into our course! Amazing how the dynamic of the class has changed!
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A3) surviving on a different planet. Maybe superheros as the students personas. Have to do various tasks to survive/fight aliens.
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This years theme is a bit different as we are going back in time to save the future. Promo video: https://t.co/xlmtFZw1uW
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I love cake boss and cupcake wars!
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A3. Not done this well this year. I want to incorporate small acts of leadership. Ss need to see that Leadership is not just grand
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A3 have used amazing race. Want to use survivor and am looking at doing something with nasa discovering a new planet.
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Would be happy to help you… Maybe that could be a chat topic after we do the book study… writing down that idea.
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a3) maybe a Doctor Who theme. Time/space travel to learn physics!!
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A3: My classroom revolves around Dr. Seuss. This year made us a town:Seussville, Ss are citizens, & I was the mayor. Now to elaborate
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A3: We use and are building in more medieval themed events and game pieces as we go. 3D printing Silver coins to use
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I've used the Hunger Games incorporated into TX history. Ss loved being in factions and each 1 specializing in a diff. area
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So true… Love this idea. Everyday leadership is how real change happens.
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What a wonderful idea! How doesn't like the Hunger Games!? ; )
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A3: High Seas of deceptive actions, and daring adventure.
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Yes, good to see you completing your assignment :)
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Love how creative you all are! Q4 coming in 2 minutes!
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how do your non class craft items work with your class craft game?
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Hunger Games is a great theme to start with… Has so many of the elements needed in a good game.
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Oh you are a student of Mr. Klumper… Lucky you, this guy is a powerhouse of ideas for the gamified class.
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A3: Medieval "Hazerstros: Realm of Dragons" Chaos in the realm. Which house will reign supreme and defeat all others at Agincourt?
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A4: Amazing Food Truck Race: Ss create food truck names & concepts. Travel across the US and adapt their concept to regions of US.
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created a store for items like armor and weapons and silver to spend at it. Expanded on their Boss battles by making own
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and making us step out and join the Twitter world! This could get addicting!
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A3: My Mt. Olympus theme for anc Greece was to climb to the top of Mr. Olympus holding the Septre, facing challenges along the way.
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Would love to see what you got for this if you care to share.
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very addicting! And usefuly, and powerful, and helpful, and beneficial, and...... I think you get the point! ha.
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Islands in a remote sea, not unlike the Caribbean in the 1600’s. Jambalaya Island, Skull Island, Koo Koo island, Forsaken Fortress
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A4) Alien encounters (boss battles?) Building structures for living on the planet. "videos" of the planet? 'veSeenThatSign
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all four islands looking to take over King Island
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Q4: Love to use LED candles in the room to set the “old time” feel… Helps the story come to life at points.
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A4: Ive also done 100 foot journey theme… setting...Ss on quest with their restaurant to earn Michelin stars.
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a4) trying to make challenges specific to what I'd think would happen when colonizing a planet. map skills, building, etc.
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A4: Amazing Race using Latitude and Longitude for a trip around the world. Having to complete tasks at each stop
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I will second on that! If you are willing to share I would love to see what you have created!
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MUST get my hands on for real.....
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created this guy for a boss battle - not my art work, but think its awesome! also made vid to into https://t.co/GTjD9IfJc0
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So much creativity in one place!
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maybe this is all the students get at the beginning of the game. We don't have electricity yet! https://t.co/0zdTIZrALe
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Q4: Love to use LED candles in the room to set the “old time” feel… Helps the story come to life at points.
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A4: Love to put up on the screen a big bonfire video from youtube as we discuss as tribes at the beginning of the year.
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Using the show Black Sails on Starz as help!!!
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How can we almost be on Q5 already! Coming in 2 minutes!
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Love to have you join the crew here at . The book is https://t.co/btZ5dHmQD1 check it out it is a game changer for class.
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A4: still working on this 1, but thinking I can change the name of items in the room to match……
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You all have the great stories in history/social studies classes!!! I guess I need 2look closer at stories we tell & read in ELA
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Sorry I'm late, soccer practice night! Kathy, HS Geom T from Kyle, TX!
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A4: Owning the Seussville town concept has been a game changer...now to add more features...somehow! :)
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Oh ELA classes could rule the theme and storytelling of Game Based Learning.
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nice, thanks! I also use the one from can build in Qs and damage from each Q
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Yes for sure! Rename! (cupboard=treasure chest, T desk=throne, doorway=threashold to the realm) etc.
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A5 Masterchef: Ss become aspiring chefs on quest to become Masterchef. safety inspectors and restaurant critics keep game exciting.
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Great use of theme to captivate the minds of students and excite them as they go on a journey of discover https://t.co/fR6u310veq
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Yes for sure! Rename! (cupboard=treasure chest, T desk=throne, doorway=threashold to the realm) etc.
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A5: Amazing FT Race: They are food truck owners. Investors and customers are invited to judge challenges.
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a5 part a) Students might be superheros. Create a hero based off an element on the periodic table. Maybe they get powers they ...
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A5: historical figures and groups. I'm already thinking of how I can incorporate Gandhi into our world of
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A5: I have had boss battles that Ss need to defeat. Additionally I love Edgar the traveling salesman. Hidden easter egg each unit.
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hard not to get sucked in to the twitter chat. Packed with explosives. Good one to check out.
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A5 part b) ...can use throughout the class. Alkali metals can eat stuff since they are really reactive?
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We are reading Dead Wake & our chat is giving me lots of ideas to bring Ss back to WWI https://t.co/VEqykuDzLw
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Oh ELA classes could rule the theme and storytelling of Game Based Learning.
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After reading historical novel take on the characters and create an iMovie to act as a movie trailer or "book trailer" to promote it.
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A5: super heroes, villains, big bosses, I'm trying to figure this out right now!
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A5: Each Ss has their own Char that they can customize, I have one too and I created villians for nect week to battle
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That would be awesome! Love that chats get all our wheels turning. Thanks for sharing your talent.
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A5: Ss jobs: Lorax Crew (table captains), Cat in the Hat (mayor assistant), Banker Grinch, Thing 1 (line leader) Thing 2(caboose)etc,
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I love ur reoccuring character idea."Johnny Rawten" on his Ancient Quest pops up in the ancient world and we must help him!
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A5: But want to take it farther than just classroom jobs....
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Wow! All of your ideas are awesome!! Q6 coming in 2 minutes!
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Could be as simple as a tinyurl to a gdoc… You make a riddle that would lead Ss to that tinyurl… Once there a side quest.
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Yes, we use as well and Ss love customizing their Avatars https://t.co/k1XiJxlGxb
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A5: Each Ss has their own Char that they can customize, I have one too and I created villians for nect week to battle
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a5) would like to include easter eggs. Gonna have boss battles for tests maybe helpful/harmful aliens
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Awesome… to have you aboard. Keep sharing your ideas and thoughts here on thought the week.
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a5) maybe students in different clan type things that are in charge of one survival aspect.
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A6: Quickfire challenges. Ss have to prepare recipe with limited ingredients in short amt time. Inspiration from Masterchef TV show
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Love that idea. I brought in Doughnuts for the first Ss to read 1,000 XP points.
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A5 Let Ss design their own sprites (characters) using Photoshop or Paint, also teach animation.
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A5 Let Ss design their own sprites (characters) using Photoshop or Paint, also teach animation.
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A6: Developing twitter challenge based on 's adv quest.
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A6: thinking ahead to our East Asia unit, I foresee some challenges that Ss will face along the Silk Road!
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thanks! Honored coming from you. The master.
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Missing my favorite chat because of Parent Teacher Conferences. One of those times I wish I could be whisked away but have to stay.
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A6: Toying w/ idea of having me the mayor go missing (like Carmen Sandiego style) and they have to figure out where I am?
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Q6: QuickFire activities, Amazing Race w/QR Codes, Reading Challenges w/different levels & XP values - always raising the bar
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A6: Incorporating a timer and setting time low to make challenge impossible is fun
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Love having Ss help develop items in my game as well. Helps them on so many levels. Think about game balance and design.
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a6) maybe some quick design challenges. had a carmen sandiego climate edition challenge this year
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Love to see you next week.
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Yes, I'm doing the same for an investigative journalism we are working on when we return from winter break https://t.co/uWm5jRA9Bs
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A6: Developing twitter challenge based on 's adv quest.
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One of my units the Pharaoh goes missing and we must find him.
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a6) like the idea of students designing aspects to the game as well.
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I just received a kit. Anyone ever use? Not sure how to execute exactly, even with videos from site
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are awesome and you just need to dive in and take the plunge. It works out and students love it
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My school is purchasing 2 for me, can't wait to get it and use it. You have to share when you use it w/Ss https://t.co/08wNiqGLLr
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I just received a kit. Anyone ever use? Not sure how to execute exactly, even with videos from site
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I could chat with you all for hours!! So much awesome! Q7 coming in 2 minutes!
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Trying to do mini challenge targeting map/chart skills. Trying to figure out the formulas needed to make the sheet do what I want.
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Could use some help. I T 5th Graders, was looking at Candy Caper, but I don't get the clues and instructions
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I must admit I love the community. It is a powerful bunch of creative adventurers. Thanks all for sharing https://t.co/lJWrr7sxsC
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I could chat with you all for hours!! So much awesome! Q7 coming in 2 minutes!
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YES!! I love my breakout games
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A7: When Ss are immersed they are engaged. Creates memories & learning that last far beyond class.
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A5: every unit is a story for us, I have had research biologists, Egyptian embalmers, CSI agents
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would love any help/support getting started.
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When students are immersed they are invested in their learning. Creating challenges always gets 7th graders attention!
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A7: Immersive experiences are powerful experiences that connect to us on many levels. This all equals a memorable moment in Ss lives.
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I don't think I can say it any better than this. https://t.co/y2ygu2IK1H
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A7: When Ss are immersed they are engaged. Creates memories & learning that last far beyond class.
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A7. Ss get to be all in. Learning is differentiated. Competitive collaboration occurs. Many outcomes and Ss are in control.
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Boom! Now that is a great answer to Q7 on https://t.co/7oKpa0rk4W
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A7. Ss get to be all in. Learning is differentiated. Competitive collaboration occurs. Many outcomes and Ss are in control.
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A7: I feel the adventure quest has really shown me the power of I was/am HOOKED...need to channel for Ss
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A7: the biggest difference is creativity and application to the real world-so important for me in science
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absolutely! Are u looking at starting w/ games from the website or making your own game
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A7: it increases buy in and participation from students. GEts them excited to do what they need to do!
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A7 immersive experiences are fully engaging for Ss, result is happier Ss and higher results, happier teacher too.
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A7 When immersed in an experience you become part of that experience on a whole different level. Simple put, you are forever changed.
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A7: “Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.”
― Benjamin Franklin
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Website, I looked at Candy Caper and a beta game with nouns.
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Do u use the free version of classcraft ?
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a7) Ss have more fun/learn more. Also I have more fun and like being there more, and want to help the students even more
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that's a good place to start. That's where I started too. Kids seem to love candy caper
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we always have to remember as puts it, play is natural. I have to keep reminding myself that
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no, I use the Premium - really worth it in the end, it gives so much more control
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That happens to me. I'd like some existential math, not like Khan Academy.
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Here are the Adventure Quest explanation/rules! Get in the game and join the fun!! Question coming next! https://t.co/RteCQzkhpJ
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Play is powerful and it is natural… Lets try to say the same for our classroom. https://t.co/nvTql5sHCb
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we always have to remember as puts it, play is natural. I have to keep reminding myself that
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Share out on throughout week! Keep playing Adventure Quest by checking on https://t.co/XJLKHbxaZM for more questions!
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There are so many things that get me to this level. I strive to make my class like this for my students as well.
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Im working on it this week/end and will roll out next week with Ss. I will be able to share for our next chat :-)
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Next week, Feb 24th discussing Chapter 7 of Explore Like a Pirate. Same time... same place!
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Next week we will break chapter 7 up and look at only a few mechanics at a time.
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Wow! Such a dynamic community of educators! Love learning from you all! Thanks so much for joining us and have a fantastic week!
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I continue to be sucked into this new world…more than i thought possible. Thanks for helping me grow.
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as always you did a wonderful job. Thanks so much for being the lead learner in this chat and community. is better with ya!
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I think it is, and the people at classcraft are beyond awesome!
