#sschat Archive
#sschat is a network of educators, resources, and ideas that started on Twitter, but has expanded to Facebook, an annual NCSS unconference, and more. Join us to chat asynchronously on Twitter or Facebook, or chat with us live on Mondays from 7-8pm EST.
Monday July 18, 2016
Welcome to ! Let us know where you're from, what you teach, and...which of these Monopoly tokens you'd use: https://t.co/rorO3rw2Wg
I'm Quinn from Salt Lake City -- history teacher and district curriculum specialist.
Happy summer Brittany, Ancient Civ & Amer. History teacher from NJ, I was always the horse!
Chris from Bloomington, IN. Teach world history for private online HS affiliated w/ Indiana Univ. I often chose the iron. :)
Nebraska, 8th grade American History. The car.
Jill from SC, US History, Gov/Econ and I love being the shoe :-)
Hi ! Judy, HS US history, from NJ, always the doggie :)
Monica, Special Ed teacher, joining for the first time. I will make my own Monopoly tokens (nah, I will use the dog).
And all-around fabulous guy... https://t.co/6qQi6ovdAM
I'm Quinn from Salt Lake City -- history teacher and district curriculum specialist.
Kevin from SoCal, 7th/8th history. Dog 4 life.
I'm from Florida, teach Civics, and would choose the dog!
Mike. I'm from NJ and teach MS SS in Santo Domingo. I would be the top hat.
I'm Terrence from Evans, GA. I teach Middle East, Asia, and Africa in 7th grade. I'd pick the shoe because the car is not a truck
Thank you. Will do. Excited to learn from and the rest of the peeps.
Hi gang - I teach high school social studies with comics. Headed to San Diego comic con tomorrow to present on the topic - excited!
Hi ! Emily from NY. Have been teaching 11th and 12th but moving to 7th US history in the fall. I'll pick the top hat.
Matt Doran, Social Studies Coordinator, Columbus, OH ....I'm going to go with thimble...
adore the guy. But don't tell him. Don't wanna inflate the ego 😉
Adam from Va Beach. Principal K-12, def the little dog
Joanne from Missouri. I teach ancient history and modern global issues.
The iron is not as terrible a choice as conventional wisdom would indicate.
Hey everyone! Eric from Minneapolis, Civics + History, man on horse probably!
Andrew (gr.8 SocSt) in Mass. I prefer the battleship/ironclad token.
That sounds awesome. I am interested in hearing more!
Solid choice. Glad you're here!
Maybe the handle just made it easier to move around the board. I just don't know!!! ;)
Brian, Wisconsin, U.S. And world history, car
Val from TX. I teach 8th grade U.S. Hist.
you both get bonus points for choosing the dog.
Hey everyone, here from Texas. Looking forward to the chat.
YESSSSSS (also, those are the best grades to teach. You're cleaning up.)
Also... looking for Ts who want help be part of a SS podcast. Doc w/ video link describing it all here
https://t.co/jRo4VPvoaG
it seriously totally is. I've learned a lot about landmarks in my neighborhood this week!
Hahaha excellent reasoning. What kind of truck would it have to be?
I'm Adri Hollenbeck, LS Head at University Lake School, Tech Director. Interested in chat dinamics. I'll take the thimble.
Ryan. Ancient world and Comparative Religions. Horse or car.
First question coming up in one minute: Reminder that we use the Q1/A1 format, and be sure to include the hashtag.
First question coming up in one minute: Reminder that we use the Q1/A1 format, and be sure to include the hashtag.
Ah...crud didn't see the Monopoly game piece. I always take the thimble.
WRITING TECHNIQUEShttp://ow.ly/1y68302iTqW
I love things like this. :)
I'm Adri Hollenbeck, LS Head at University Lake School, Tech Director. Interested in chat dynamics. I'll take the thimble.
I first played back in the 60s so I was wondering...
I'll be hosting a in a few weeks on this very topic - see you then
Btw, I'd be the lead pipe
LOL I love that game, too! I don't think my kids have ever played.
Yeah, my kids are bad at putting things away properly too.... :)
gave us a way to interact our local history better and more often. Local historical societies pay heed
My boys love Monopoly, I don't know if they've ever played Clue.
...and now I want to see the movie.
A1: Can't beat a little Kahoot to get everyone up and excited.
A1: We played a bball review game
There are so many themed/licensed versions these days -- I prefer the classic.
A1 Snowball fights with review questions on crumpled paper. I use a captain america shield for protection
A1 Quizlet Live. They have to find their team mates.
Yes always gets them up and moving!
I have a meeting with my school district's hist. society next week. Will discuss this with them!
A1. Human bar graph or filling a population density map with students.
Hey future teacher here. Just here to learn
A1: Kahoot, hands down. My kiddos prefer math versus reading. Go figure.
A1) Pictionary where they have to rotate to different groups' posters to try to guess what they've drawn.
A1-Milling to Music: post a ?, start music, S dance around, when music stops, find a partner and discuss. Repeat.
A1: West African Trading Simulation (Gold for Salt Trade). Teaches basic econ, live-action bartering, and some non-western culture.
A1: Lately gets them up and moving.
A1: Ninja. Only the most tenuous of educational value but a great break!
Awesome! We love having pre-service Ts in . Let me know if you have any questions. :)
A1: I teach fully online, so the kind of game where I say, "OK everyone get up now!" and then hope they actually are? ;)
A1. We played a basketball game that incorporated review questions
Welcome Moises! Jump in when you feel ready. Or you can lurking. Lurking's good too. NOT CREEPY.
She was great. Loved her in "Young Frankenstein." One of my faves.
I've done scavenger hunts as part of review for end of course exams.
stops, gyms need not be in places that can cause chaos, aka, in schools, hospitals. Local landmarks are great
Can you share your resources? I have been trying to find a good simluation for this topic.
A1.
We have been using in a successful way. For Lower School we revamped BOB, but it could have been smthg else.
Sometimes tenuous educationally will save their butt so they can do strenuous educationally later. https://t.co/1If7QHdVek
A1: Ninja. Only the most tenuous of educational value but a great break!
I use them for everything. Review, introduction, just because... so much easier with QR codes now
But park and rec depts better start applying for more stops and gyms to keep up with demand.
I've been visiting various schools/districts, and remember how it is to sit in those desks for 7 hours straight...
A1/ I have been working on an econ game, teams based on assign country, produce and consume, value negotiations, shortage surplus.
True. I have to remember QR Codes for this year's hunts.
I used to do snap ball. Played with an invisible ball you snap to receive and snap to throw.
Is it the TCI version? I'd love to see it too. I do an investigation but have toyed with making it a sim.
maybe even have kids give their two cents about good meeting spots!
One of my personal favorite moving games is a simple relay race review about landform regions. Boring topic, but kids loved the game
A1: Hard to talk about games that get kids on their feet without mentioning Pokemon Go; can foresee lots of learning uses this fall
I'm glancing between the chat and the
Ah...yes, I've used that one as well.
A1: https://t.co/Zi6gEekw4S Draft Days are always my favorite. Students up and about drafting countries + diving into news!
Have kids come up with a list, be able to justify a top ten that can be a final recommendation? https://t.co/rv9mWphENY
maybe even have kids give their two cents about good meeting spots!
Would love to hear more. Time period?
"How lucky we are to be alive right now!"
A1/ review game: Ss hetero groupings and paired. Move to hot seat answer Jeopardy Qs. First to stand has first right
Q2 In MY classroom, if there's a game, there are winners. And losers. How do you keep competition friendly? https://t.co/5bl5MR3B0X
A2: Interesting question. How can we?
A2) Always prefaced any game w/ face we were not playing for $, cars, exotic trips but for learning & fun. Usually repeated. ;)
A2: I don't. Lean into it! If your environment is friendly then your games and competition will be too - even if intense!
I just found out about it during exams this year.
Also worthy of debate: Should be unavailable in places like Arlington National Cemetery?
A2) Always prefaced any game w/ fact we were not playing for $, cars, exotic trips but for learning & fun. Usually repeated. ;)
A2: Even though I'm online, I do use tons of games. Stays friendly by keeping teams balanced and the occasional trading of players!
never gets old. I have S create their own games to share when presenting on a topic. So much fun. https://t.co/ZzjGAY3cya
A1: Lately gets them up and moving.
A2: Winners get to leave early, first in line, a free test question, homework pass lots of choices
A1 I have six tables in my room - bust these out sometimes - especially after standardized testing! https://t.co/uAjJxxN7xe
A2 a lot of that is modeling it myself...which is part of my problem. Because I'm kind of a jerk with my Game Face on.
Switching up teams is a great tip -- https://t.co/rtlBbX6XqA
A2: Even though I'm online, I do use tons of games. Stays friendly by keeping teams balanced and the occasional trading of players!
A2: Set positive tone from day 1. Be sure game rules/expectations are clear and fair.
A2: All points earned in games are imaginary. (Who's Line Is It) but it doesn't stop the kids for keeping score.
A2 I don't believe in ties or fixing games, I switch up teams so that every kid gets a turn being with stronger players.
A2: It's about class climate. If the culture is respect it's easier - and sometimes using time out
Make the team the whole classroom that works toward reaching a certain goal.
Well now you just brought in argumentative writing and debate! Now you've done it 🙂 https://t.co/MgBsdQTYcU
Have kids come up with a list, be able to justify a top ten that can be a final recommendation? https://t.co/rv9mWphENY
maybe even have kids give their two cents about good meeting spots!
Hi, Sarah from Richmond joining late.
A2 It helps to switch up the teams or do rounds.
A2-I have seen competitions/games get serious. Makes for a good teaching moment. Process vs product. Journey vs destination.
A2: Just trach sportsmanship. Every win puts a target on you and every loss should give you motivation to improve, not anger.
A2 explain expectations up front, model good sportsman, and praise students to re-enforce
A2: Students appreciate authenticity to learning games. Competition = motivation. They roll their eyes if "everyone gets a sticker"
A2 If possible players/teams can earn reward if they met a proficiency goal (like "earn 100+ points") Competing with target, not Ss
A2. Lots of talking bef. we start, understanding it should b fun 4 all & that everyone is learning. Not very often it goes bad... :(
A2 winners and losers here too, but students can keep individual score if they want (takes away the s/he got easier ?s factor)
A2: But when they get really heated, I figure they have just learned to be partisan, so I've done my job. JK :)
A2: I give candy, this sounds very communist of me, but everyone who participated gets a piece. If you won, you get an extra piece
Finally. A Whose Line reference in a gamification chat. Love it.
They like to create their own games as well.
That's what I've found too...they want the competition. There's always next time, kids. https://t.co/Eo9FKKb8RD
A2: Students appreciate authenticity to learning games. Competition = motivation. They roll their eyes if "everyone gets a sticker"
I love when games/gaming can make learning playful; But impt to make sure they’re appropriate. Lots of problematic simulations.
That's one of the best things I've seen all summer!
MORE THAN JUST A PRETTY FACE, MY FRIEND. https://t.co/WUjtIr5nmH
Well now you just brought in argumentative writing and debate! Now you've done it 🙂 https://t.co/MgBsdQTYcU
Have kids come up with a list, be able to justify a top ten that can be a final recommendation? https://t.co/rv9mWphENY
maybe even have kids give their two cents about good meeting spots!
A2/ reward all students with candy, winners get an extra piece, but not all games come to a winner/loser conclusion, so...
Totally right. They never begrudge classmates for winning as long as game was "fair" (their crucial concern) https://t.co/mmYKND4VzV
That's what I've found too...they want the competition. There's always next time, kids. https://t.co/Eo9FKKb8RD
A2: Students appreciate authenticity to learning games. Competition = motivation. They roll their eyes if "everyone gets a sticker"
My all time favorite is playing Vocabulary Football & Basketball w Ss - turned all my assessments into a fun, competitive game
yes...simulating human experiences can be problematic for many issues. I prefer strategy simulations.
Q3: Bigger Games: Have any of you "gamified" a unit or longer part of your course? Added levels, badges, etc?
Vocabulary is fun for games - Apples to Apple's can be fun!
Also Celebrity can be a fun review game.
Empathy is messy. By nature we trivialize the experience but is that cost worth paying?
A3: I gamified Age of Exploration a few years ago. Levels, badges, everything. May do it for Western Expansion this year
A2/ there's always the threat of penalties for sneers too
A3 Yeah, I've done something like that for the Civil War unit (for 8th graders in June) & blogged about it: https://t.co/C3qdtGgs15
A3 going to try to roll out this year. Starting with
A3: No, but I'm interested in doing so
I sometimes tell them afterwards that I was the real winner of our gaming day as "I tricked you all into having fun learning."
A3: Not personally, but has done it for me! Can't recommend them highly enough! Must have for Civics and Gov't teachers!
A2: (Again) Sometimes we need to get involved in games as a T to give Ss a challenge besides each other. (Works in pro wrestling.) 😬
A3 I had teenagers working for stickers to get "promoted" to corporal, sergeant, etc. by completing certain tasks Most loved it
my good friend is also writing about this! I think the potential is fantastic. Living history
I always recommend his book for people really looking for ways to gamify-up their class.
Right after they buy MY book.
A3/ never tried it myself, but heard of it and am interested in for sure!
A3: 9th grade worked on MineCraft build that had game elements. Last year it was for Ancient Greece. This year for River Valley Ci
I am always amazed what HS kids will do for stickers
A3-Not yet. We have a new tech director who I am hoping will help me incorporate into my class.
A2 Have class money given for on time to class, winning games, turning in assignments ontime. Auction 4 stuff at the end of the year
Do you throw back your head with a maniacal laugh? That's the only way that would work for me. https://t.co/yQMDLkyVUR
I sometimes tell them afterwards that I was the real winner of our gaming day as "I tricked you all into having fun learning."
A3: I'm planning on teaching reading in my math classes through board games and manuals. Also looking at a trophy/belt system.
A3: Designed https://t.co/H29zMCSmav for foreign policy Civics lessons, and used in US History to draft Cold War unit countries
Terrific inquiry workshop by is going to make a difference in my classroom this year!
A3 Intriguing, but unfortunately no.
I made a wall of fame with kids wearing various replica WWE championship belts for my leaderboard. They loved it.
As evidenced by what happens when you break out the crayons :)
It's good. And probably has 100 ideas in it that are easy-to-implement at any level.
A3 Anyone else use ? It had built-in badges, with options to make your own
A3: has an sweet free Election Challenge coming out to help students learn about election! https://t.co/CxB2k9oFz1
Get ready for the Election Challenge! Students can vote for + predict the next US President https://t.co/5UOGD8eD91
This is how the military industrial complex gets reinforced & normalized in schools. https://t.co/b4cTs6R4mA
A3 I had teenagers working for stickers to get "promoted" to corporal, sergeant, etc. by completing certain tasks Most loved it
I kinda like the smell of crayons....
Jumping out of . Thank you for having me and awesome job hosting, . :)
You are always welcome and is tons of greatness.
Agreed. is terrific! "Do I Have The Right?" game (or Pocket Law Firm) is ideal for Bill Of Rights https://t.co/4wm4n4ulAI
A3: Not personally, but has done it for me! Can't recommend them highly enough! Must have for Civics and Gov't teachers!
Q4 Have you ever had students design games? How did you set it up, how did they do, will you do it again? https://t.co/ayZpViM6PD
Just be mindful you don't turn people's culture, tradition, or experience into a game.
Ouch. I am doing this in the context of a Civil War unit, making it clear that the military is not for fun
Yeah, is awesome especially for middle school
Yes! Really, I love all their games! Drafting Board is AMAZING for writing essays. I brag to ELA Ts.
Doesn't most of our popular culture (movies, TV, books, etc.) argue that it is?
A4: When I taught ELA we created board games. We do create games as review games
A4 "Design a board game" is one of my favorite student project choices. I've received some BRILLIANT games that could make $$
A4 To review for a test Ss created games for the Phoenicia/Babylonia unit, begged me to do it again so I included it in eoy project
A4: I had students re-create board games when I taught International Relations. Turned out pretty well.
A4: It's one of my Choose Your Own Adventure options, I've found starting with an existing game and remixing makes the best results.
A4-Ss will make games to involve audience for CE presentations. One group designed a website with a jeopardy game built in.
A4 Educational game on topic was a project option this year. Have some great ideas on making it better this year
Not to mention the taste.
What.
A4: I haven't had students design their own games. It's one of those things I know I should do--but haven't.
A4 The content was structured, you must include __# of facts from the slides ___ facts about ____
A4 You have to *really* know a topic to make an appropriate game about it. (Not just trivia questions about the subject.... )
Are we...not supposed to eat the crayons?
A4: also had them create one for each of the causes of the civil war, each group made their own mini-game for their cause.
For comparing socialism & capitalism had his students update Monopoly to reflect socialism.
Done it & its great!
Designing games takes critical thinking and prob solving. Having to work backwards/think about hypothetical probs. Should do it more
What do you think Neil Postman would make of gamification?
I got an Oregon Trail "chutes and ladders" that was amazing this year
A4: I had kids make Taboo game cards for WWII key terms & then play a tournament. Crit. thinking to decide which words to block.
A4. Yes, on ancient Greece and Rome. Easy to become trivia games instead of ones that require thinking skills
FREE Powerpoints, worksheets and other resources to help you rock the classroom. https://t.co/Zx6TRFCpvn (sorry, on a mission)
A4 My Ss were into Lip Sync Battle, so we had some gov't-related S-created song battles. SO FUN.
Stealing this. Using this. So excited for this!!!
They shouldnt make the names sound so delicious. Peach. Red Apple Chocolate
A4: I’ve shared before, but I had Ss play monopoly, determine econ principles & create socialist version. Lots of variety, dialogue.
A4 Im still student but did have my prof. make us create games using . So much u can do & learn code & make video
Its not about "fun" but the normalization of oppressive institutions that target students of Color & poor students.
I have no words for the joy this brings me.
My school's tech teacher had S use vocab words to create own game. Worked pretty well.
And so students know the futility of global thermonuclear war, I make them play tic-tac-toe by themselves.
Glad to hear it. We're catching up late on the chat. When's the next ?
A4: Don't limit the idea of "game" to competition. What about a SS reenacting historical events?
A4: Students in my course designed a better version of Life boardgame, but with social emotional learning tools!
Q5: Beyond traditional "games," what are other ways you can make assessment fun, while still meeting learning targets?
A5 Might fall into line with 's last response. Not all games are a competition.
Still not sure how this unit would be "normalizing an oppressive institution" but trying to understand....
Alright thanks for all the new ideas! Time to go make dinner!
Do you deliver? Thanks for playing tonight!
A5) Offer choice (love the idea of learning menus where Ss choose method of learning & presentation).
A5 Anything creative, esp if the Ss have choice. I'm always amazed by what my Ss create- and learn from it
A5: Rubric scored class debates / real world situations
...I'm imagining my students storming the classroom of the uptight teacher upstairs...and I'm liking it.
A5: If students have choice and voice in the process, they get in engaged in the learning process.
A5) And appropriate simulations. Found that sims often motivated Ss who were less successful in trad academic activities.
Reflection is the most important aspect - and having students put meaning to their gaming experience.
A5: Let Ss be in charge. Do a reenactment. Allow for creativity (poetry, music, rap). S-created videos. The ways you <3 to teach!
A5-Use performance assessments. Have S create own reenactment, or write and perform raps or build replica castle w/ class supplies
Student choice! has a lot of great examples of CYOA at his site and does with his side quests
A5: I've gotten AWESOME LEGO stop motion videos! Kids are so creative and smart!
Already, the last question? Where did the time go?
A5 I have students create their own pharaoh story and tomb. Students assess themselves in a reflection.
A5 Using comic books that illustrate an idea u r teaching. ss read then try to identify concept ex. Marvel Civil War and Bill of R
Just came back from . APPROPRIATE is key when it comes to selecting or designing simulations.
I always count the various historic Barbies in videos and NHD projects
A5: My APUSH kids created some amazing music videos this year
Sorry forgot my A5 for that last tweet. 😔
how did they create it!
?
Moises, do you already follow ? Tim is a great resource for all things comics + teaching. So am I. :)
Role playing allows SS to interpret an event and participate/act out the event. SS create, are engaged and have fun, while learning
Don't underestimate the power of language in creating expectations & identity.
Yes Indeed! he's the inspiration behind this lesson plan I created
Q6 -- What was YOUR most fun day as a teacher last year?
We went 1:1 for literally the last 6 wks of school & I made the most of the tech opportunities when possible
Q6 - Lip Sync Battle Day. No question. I also performed an inspirational rendition of "Eye of the Tiger" in full costume, so I won.
RP is a great strategy *IF* students are informed enough to avoid presentism & applying personal beliefs to the event
A6) My course is asynch so no "real time" w/ Ss aside from live chatting in a GDoc. But love those moments w/ Ss.
No, everybody in that classroom won :)
I suspected as much. But had to make sure. He's the best.
Maybe second best.
A6 Civilization Fair where my Ss presented civilizations they spent months creating
sorry - fell behind. At daughters archery competition - dangerous to look away! Thanks!
A6 constitutional convention simulation with a George Washington costume to boot! Students loved debating and fancy titles
a6 A big part of the fair was playing games they made. I got to go magnet "ice" fishing!
Was it...a Tiger costume?? Rocky? EYEBALL?? https://t.co/gkeOzYkjcM
Q6 - Lip Sync Battle Day. No question. I also performed an inspirational rendition of "Eye of the Tiger" in full costume, so I won.
A6: LOVE THIS QUESTION! Dress like your fav. book character day.
A6 The last day of our Westward Pioneers simulation, when we learned who survived the journey. Also the loudest day of the year
Like any good SS teacher, I consider myself a benevolent dictator. I want to win. haha
A6: Probably the time we used scale factor to paint the 50-yard line logo on the football field as a class. https://t.co/4qIw6mLO32
A4. Third graders created games for different states. They were played at the States Carnival. Attendees were invited to play.
When we use military language, military becomes normal for students. They see themselves that way.
YES! I also call myself a benevolent dictator. Democracy is an illusion ... :)
A6: Hard to pick, probably teaching my kids to roller skate at our end of the year party.
A6 Chinese philosophies. Experiential exercise. I get to play along with the students.
I once made a vocabulary matching game -it was great to see students play something I spent so much time on. https://t.co/cygQO2rWxA
A4. Kindergarten last year did a long term exploration on games inspired by a tradition. They created new games and presented.
A6: In terms of fun and content-based, probably our pilgrimage to Jerusalem.
LOL - I always say I'm the queen and they can decide what kind of monarchy the class will be:)
I do a similar project with Greek City-states. How does the sharing piece go?
No. They don't. It is a temporary label in my classroom for a 2-week unit. I'm not raising little soldiers
Thank you . Great play date! Lots of ideas.
That's so key. It's hard for me to unclench enough to actually play too, but when I do, it pays off. https://t.co/T71RhsvIs5
A6 Chinese philosophies. Experiential exercise. I get to play along with the students.
