#XPLAP Archive
Book study chat focusing on Explore Like a Pirate, written by Michael Matera.
Wednesday May 25, 2016
8:00 PM EDT
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Welcome to chat: Theme Design Challenge!! So glad you are here! Please introduce yourself!
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Tisha Richmond, Culinary teacher & CTE Dept Chair, South Medford HS, Medford, OR
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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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Hello everyone! Gina from Cincinnati on my last day of school. I teach SS and Sci. Glad to be here tonight.
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Jay Hentzen, MS Science teacher, Omaha NE
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Michael Matera
World History Teacher
University School of Milwaukee WI
Love all things games!
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Nick Baskwill NS Canada Grade 5 Teacher
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Glad to have you here. Love what you did this year with and your class. Thanks for coming tonight on your last day!
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Royanne Baer in Atl, GA. 8th grade SS. 1 more day of Ss and 1 day of post planning. Summer here I come!
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Glad to have you back! YEAH
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Nick, glad to have you here at and glad to hear you are coming to right?
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Thanks to you for all the inspiration and great ideas!
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LeVonda Vickery, MS Technology and Robotics Teacher in Medford, OR.
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Carrie Baughcum 6/7/8 Extended Resource teacher in Arlington Hts. IL Super excited for another great chat!!
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Carrie Baughcum 6/7/8 Extended Resource teacher in Arlington Hts. IL Super excited for another great chat!!
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Join going on right NOW!! Get your on!
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Jestin VanScoyoc HS Science - Reed City, MI
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Thanks for joining in tonights fun! This will be good food for thought tonight as we all plan during the summer.
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So excited for tonight's Theme Design Challenge! First question coming in just a few minutes! https://t.co/TxudaxrWMd
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I am! Really glad that I could get in. Looking forward to seeing everyone in person!
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Glad to have you here. Sorry we didn’t connect. Lets try it soon.
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High School Teacher Librarian. Only 6 more days to make a difference
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Loved the items you added to your game at the end of the year. All is looking good in your game.
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I am so excited to start planning this summer and can't wait to see all the ideas that come from this tonight.
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he's awesome and this community is ridiculous! https://t.co/znw1YL3VFi
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Thanks to you for all the inspiration and great ideas!
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Katie, love the attitude! Keep strong all the way through for those kiddos!
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So many ideas already brewing waiting to be created this summer!!! https://t.co/ZIivN6hI7o
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Thanks for joining in tonights fun! This will be good food for thought tonight as we all plan during the summer.
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A1: so many to choose from it is hard to choose one… I think a hacker theme in a 1:1 school would be cool. Fantasy is always fun.
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A1: Masterchef, Amazing Race, Great Food Truck Race, Cake Boss, 100 ft. Journey.
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A1: Looking to create a tabletop map that will bridge our online play with physical pieces
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A1: I teach GA History and would love to do something around our great state.
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Great idea! My students would LOVE a hacker theme!
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A1: Currently using Monopoly + Movies theme
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take a look at this theme idea
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a1) colonizing a new planet(plan for next year) maybe a post apocalptic world thing
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A1: surviver is a good one to build a unit around.
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A1: Tough question: Spy and zombie games I am very excited about.
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Angi Manalli - Engineering Technology teacher from Belvidere, IL - for the first time next year
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Hey, all. Matt from Missouri, 7th grade Am. hist. Getting here late & probably have to cut out early.
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Went to high school in GA. Great history!
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A1: I have done Mario Bro, Angry Birds, Star Wars + Monopoly
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Great idea I think a local theme can be really cool too!
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Love the idea of adding a spy element to my current game… Just not sure how to make it work.
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A1: Shark Tank- problem solving, creativity, research, speaking and listening all in one!
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I'm a GA history geek and really try to make it fun for the kids which is one reason I'm here.
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A1: I also love themeing (not sure that is a word) Mini-Games. I've used A Marathon, Space, Zombie Apocalypse, Connect 4
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That’s my goal this summer.
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You have found a great community to start planning your class with. Keep checking for ideas.
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So excited to have you all here tonight! Q2 coming at ya in 2!
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A1: Next year will have a Harry Potter type theme
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Maybe a reverse engineering theme.
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I did have a shark tank thing this year at one point, probably include that as well next year.
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A1: Our team is thinking of using Minecraft as a theme. We teach K-5 together, so MC is something they nearly all know about.
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Thanks for making it at all is a better place with you a part of it.
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A1 Thinking of apocolyptic sci-fi/fantasy mashup. exodus to lunar to mars to deep space exodus
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A1. Working on a dystopian pan-American theme. Factions, rewriting history, Ss find the truth and have an important choice to make.
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I am a history geek period. I LOVE turning kids into history geeks.
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Current status... creating a gamification list of all the awesome ideas being shared during tonights chat!!
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Teacher at my school uses Shark Tank them for his Business Ed class. It is awesome!
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I think that’s when you have the chance to be the most creative is with mini-games. I LOVE your mini games!
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Enjoy the much needed time and space.
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A1 want to gamify with dragons and faries. Ss love these books
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OH!! Im the BIGGEST Harry Potter nerd and Hufflepuffian. That would be my dream game theme! https://t.co/K5auKGTLCK
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A1: Next year will have a Harry Potter type theme
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Could be former soviet states trying to reverse engineer western technologies… That sounds cool.
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Myth Buster might be a great theme as well.
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Thank you!!! Sometimes I feel like it is a crime the amount of fun I have creating and using gamification in my classroom
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Hi all! Sandy Otto, ELA teacher from MN. In the midst of our final writing/speaking Divergent initiation presentations.
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Agreed these guys are on a roll!
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We did this for the Renaissance this year. Ss had some wicked good inventions.
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A2: So many, from exploration, colonization, to lost and need to get back, or even defence from an attack
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we entered the exploravision competition. They had to design technology of the future and present to class.
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These are all super cool and we should all start making them right now. https://t.co/8pYvaj0Wkf
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A2: So many, from exploration, colonization, to lost and need to get back, or even defence from an attack
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A2 Just today, S made connection between space and being hearbroken.
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I so agree. I believe that my Ss are the luckiest ones in the building.
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A2: exploration, colonizing a new planet, satellite pods that must joint together to make a space station to survive.
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I will share list after it is done....
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A2: Could be looking to collect lost artifacts that have been spread around the system…
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a2) world is ending (meteor strike), what do we need in a planet to survive, what do we need to do once we are on the planet, how ..
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I always feel like I am doing something wrong BECAUSE I am having so much fun!
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A2: To go where no man has gone before. Like creating new inventions or improving current inventions using 3D modeling and printing
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a2) to survive on the new planet, alien attacks, design technology to survive.
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Oh I love the space station idea… Many things can go wrong up there in outer space!
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Theming. If it wasn't before, it is now. Keep theming (Mike from MD - Playing around before hosting -8:30C
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YES!! I have students that will "drive by" to see what we are up to!
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A2. Colonization: plague has cleared earth, what will society (Ss) take with them? Cross disciplines, make it STEAM!
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A2: Thinking of all the new things happening at NASA, it would be neat to include current events and history in a space theme.
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I wanted to add Divergent spies to my game, but just ran out of time since I only started in March. Next yr...
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YES YES YES! This is awesome answer! https://t.co/cVxGGPUYGi
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A2. Colonization: plague has cleared earth, what will society (Ss) take with them? Cross disciplines, make it STEAM!
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I am ridiculously excited!!!!!
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A2 <3 space! TARDIS -> history time travel; lunar/martian base -> terraforming; study simulated earth systems in ship or base
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I like the idea of theming, but how to simplify - 2 libraries 2 buildings 2 programs one classroom based other in library?
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A2: Think Amazing Race but through space - exploring ideas such as distance, Gravity, atmosphere, etc along w key space vocab
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Ready or not...Q3 coming in 2 minutes! :-)
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There is a great deal of intensity when dealing with space for some reason.
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A1: Next yr: tri 1-initiates become faction members, tri 2-work way up ranks for faction ldrship, tri 3-faction battles for top spot.
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is so park a Tardis in our foyer for this!
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That is one of my favorites! Kids I do not know stopping by.
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OMG, if I could get the tardis incorporated somehow next year, I would be super happy!! maybe hidden symbol on my webpage
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Thanks for the welcome. So glad to make it here tonight. Great topic as we all reflect and look ahead to bigger/better.
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Yeah, I like crossing disciplines when I can. Get Ts from other depts. involved. Gamify the whole school!
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just remembered I have a human skeleton puzzle and . Put them together and I might get a game of Operation going.
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ahhhh I have always wanted to do a minecraft theme!!!! I want to hear all about it!!!!
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Sounds like those could be two systems or planets… Could have students try to communicate with each other
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Kept a list of things I want to add for next year. Spies are awesome when you find the right Ss.
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Yep..they'll peek in to see what all the fun is about. Best way to sell other Ts on the idea.
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Inter-faction competition? I like it. A nice twist to my set up.
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I would love to get my hands on some kits! We have a makey makey and 3D printr
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Erm.... I have students? :) Really. One tech based program, one content focused ... Love the idea though. It's a must
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Oh be quiet ... :) (just under 30D left here.)
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Totally! Starting to get other Ts peeking in. Can't wait until more of them are ready to drink the awesome!
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Thinking of for next year. Something around either Peru or Civil War.
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a3) alien data tablets instead of cheat sheets for tests
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A3: Fits in lots of places, SS, Sci, English, Math, can even tie into Art and Phys Ed
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Yes...an "ultimate faction champion" engages my griefers' while the previous leadership battle engages my Achievers.
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A3: Oxygen tanks help extend your time on a task…
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Time travel or Alternate Universe. I'm a newby. The rest would take some thought. Y'all are giving me great ideas though!
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A2: Dr. Who time traveling storyline
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A3:This has to fit into Superhero theme and physics unit. Apocalypse is taking over the planet and groups quickly escape into space.
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A3: Away team item - gives you the ability to choose a team to work with on a side quest!
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A2: Probes could deliver needed info at specific times
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you are such a history teacher ! ;)
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a3) too much oxygen could make metal things rust, so could be used to give them less time on a task
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A3. Earn "Exploration" points to extend reach of Ss groups. Going farther out can earn more advantages.
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I know what you mean. And I am so very very happy!!!
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a3) worksheets could have coded alien messages on them
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A3: Shuttle Craft could allow you to explore the mysteries of an alternative assessment opportunity.
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I agree and plan to collaborate with my incredible tech Ed teacher next year. Imagine those possibilities!
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My head is spinning! Get ready for Q4! ...Coming in 2 minutes!
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A3 Don't fear the unknown-explore it; conquer it.
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a3) communicator to ask the teacher a question during a test
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a3) "travel biscuit card" (needs a better name) for a snack.
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A3.2 backpack of tools they were able to bring to help, first aid pack to redo papers, satellite phone to communicate with me,
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A3 space ports -> in game economy/trading market; blaster -> remove MC option on a Q; the force -> convince Jedi Master for hint
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Kind of like a "phone a friend". They could even ask another student.
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A3. "Reevers" raiding parties to collect supplies from other teams.
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A3) Warp speed to avoid something in class
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thinking of what to do with interactive floor and my robot w/ floor maps.
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A3: Space walk to another group using a rope. Can only go where the rope will reach.
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Ryan Staudt MKE WI What's up XPLAP fam?
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A4. "Lab accidents" earned randomly by dice roll affect Ss XP. Can change advantages for Ss mid-game
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A#: My favorite... The Bounty Hunter. Confiscates materials left by un-responsible students. There is a fee to get them back!
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A4: defeating Supervillians, building side quests to save Civilians
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a4) chemistry guy here so, students get an element from the periodic table and get some sort of super power from it
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A4: Love idea of Ss having super powers and neat tech tools. Be really cool if they were team based getting Ss to work Tgther
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Intriguing idea. I could do that w/ GAFE & Classroom.
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A4 We are building a card game where Ss collect cards for positive behaviors and build their deck to defeat villains
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A4. Larger factions could have a "Civil War" sometime during the semester/year.
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A3: You could do things with space ship repairs, light sabers, space suits.
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A4 offspring of super hero parents (genetics) complete w/psuedo punnett sq & trading card, popular in my BIO class
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A4: Could be based on the movie the incredibles… I loved that movie…
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Maybe a semester/year/unit could culminate in Ss creating "super tools" using tech. (makey kits, little bits, 3D printing, etc.)
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A4: The team aspect would be great. A team of superheroes, villains, sidekicks, etc.. They could compete against each other.
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Can't keep up! You are all amazing! Q5 coming in 2 minutes!
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I think I'd want all my students to be heros (and I'd make the villans) other wise I'd be worried about bullying
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ridiculously awesome chat tonight! So many ideas!
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A4: Our 6th grade is divided into Team Gotham and Team Metropolis, all competing agains villains on a giant leaderboard.
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I am not the only one who scours yard sales and Goodwill for board games.
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and collect multiple ones to make combinations and up their powers!
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Very true, didn't think about that aspect, but I can definitely see MS doing that.
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we need to (ok, I need to) hang out w/ you more often. Need ideas. Structure.
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Hey Jason… So glad you found our chat tonight… You are a master at making an engaging classroom.
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I'm thinking collect elements to react into better tools
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Definitely not. I have Jenga, mega blocks and Don't Break the Ice in the trunk of my car right now.
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A4 talking w/Ss about Spiderman, Hulk, Flash, and other science accident heros is fun
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A4 Explore "accidents" that gave powers to super heroes. Create your own "accidents" and acquire powers.
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Yes, we definately need you to hang out with us more! You contribute amazing ideas and awesomeness to the community!
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Hmm. thanks, but I think I learn more than I give... :)
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Great movie! Great idea too!
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A5: we have the Hall of Justice which is our ISS. Each room is a theme, mine is the X-Mansion. Whole hallway is a massive city.
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I can't keep track of when all the pirates meet. I just get lucky when I see posts in my feed. ;)
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Got that from my Ss in Dauntless faction. They developed a "better than others" mentality. Interesting.
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And someday I'll read the books. :)
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could do team DC Comics vs. Team Marvel Comic!
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A5: Add an element of kryptonite to your game… It there is to much in the classroom all powers lowered.
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Match super hero qualities to actions in the classroom and award badges or power ups that match those qualities
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Yes, but it's good to be more on the learning side ... this is my weak suit.
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A5 Teams could be Avengers, XMen, Fantastic Four, etc.
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We were going to but ended up with mixed heroes on the same team so we went with Gotham and Metropolis.
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A5: Many different power ups, from creating a hero (spider bite, lab accident) to rings, wands, swords and tech
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A5: Maybe a cross between super hero theme and a frankenstein theme where mad scientists are fusing together super powers.
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Goodness....the awesome just keeps coming! Q6 coming in 2 minutes!
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For some reason I think doing something with dr. Octopus would be cool..?
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I'm going to have to go back on this convo tonight to write down these awesome ideas!
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Thanks hope to post more soon. So many good games to review and teach.
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Love it when COMMUNITY responds in spades! We are rocking tonight.
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Another great article from yesterday about media and manipulation but it totally connects to this as well. https://t.co/NQsHqy0ZLn
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Ss could have to earn opportunities to pick powers. Be interesting to see what they think is going to be important
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Jumping in late! Just got home! Kristin from Lansing, Michigan 6th grade SS and ELA
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I was just thinking the same thing. great ideas coming
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a6) for physics they could determine velocity/acceleration/forces for the olympic events
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got a list already going of theme ideas. I'll share it at the end.
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a6) and continuing with space theme from earlier, determine how far it would go on a different planet with different gravity
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A6: Earning or qualifying to make the country team, each group representing a country. Ss qualify for end of the year Olympics.
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A6: I have to state the obvious… You can get them in olympic teams training and competing in mini games in your class.
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Thanks Carrie, that would be great! =)
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A5) Ss could create their own names & special powers which may be combos of current known Super Heroes & write collaborative stories
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A6: Like the olympics, you could have a shared experience that students build up to in 3 quarter. Just like olympics every 4 years.
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When is the last time you went to a twitter chat and created?
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so true… Jason is a genius and we are lucky to have him posting tonight.
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A5 So you want to be a superhero? Select a power to make school better-own it; be it; share it https://t.co/fXd9Mtib5l
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A6: Like with the superpower theme, the Olympic theme could grant powers around various events (swimming, gymnastics, etc..)
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Ready for Q7?! It's coming in 2 minutes!
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A6) Ss use CIA Factbook to research social facts about countries and create evidence based predictions of who will win
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A6)A super hero is in disguise as an athlete; only some info about this hero and the country are avail. Must find country (World Geo)
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A6: Countries are the different strands of our standards (history, geography, etc).
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Great idea and the events could relate to whatever skill area you Ss need to build!
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Just have to say-you wouldn't believe the incredible side quests (gamification infomercials) my Ss did. I need to share them w/
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A7 Teams could represent different countries. Gold, Silver, bronze medals. leading team each week gets torch.
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A6 Use training logs and nutrition for olympic BIO?
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A7: Qualifying meets: quizzes, practice time recorded, how do you train?
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Yes you do as they were awesome at least the two I saw..
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Love the torch idea!! https://t.co/NTL1EfxJyQ
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A7 Teams could represent different countries. Gold, Silver, bronze medals. leading team each week gets torch.
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A7: teams or countries could be earning things for their training facilities that help their team in various ways.
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A7: Travel fees / expenses to get to the olympics.
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A7 Visit other countries to “observe” their training methods.
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A7: Playing off the different medals idea, the higher the team medal the more XP their team could earn.
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A7) Five Rings of Power; Qualifiers; Photo Finish; Opening Ceremony; Closing Ceremony; Drug tests (ok, maybe not that)
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A7: Trials to qualify for to get to different levels of the Olympics
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A7 my HW/practice problems = Training; quizzes could be = Events; Leaderboards would be amped up in this theme!
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A7 pass the pen= pass the torch. Leaderboard=standings
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Our last question is coming up in 2 minutes! Don't leave!
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That is awesome Sandy… Thanks for sharing how students are loving learning with fused into the classroom. https://t.co/wncHryCADq
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A8: Food Network has so many great ideas for the gamified culinary class!
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a8) books, television shows, students
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A8 I love to take a walk through the toy section of any store or local place like the aquarium or train station
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A8: I am a big board game fan so I must admit I look there for mechanic ideas… For theme I look to movies, TV and books…
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a8) there is a really helpful book called "explore like a pirate" that has some good ideas in it
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Dollar store, Twitter, old game shows, yard sales
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Awesome ideas from these students! How inspiring!
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A8: I loo where it can bring the most excitement to the class, and tons of ideas from the community! Excellent ideas always!
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Q8: My goodness my brain just never stops at this point. I see gamification inspiration in everything!!!!
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A8 my inspiration comes from my Ss....their needs, their wants, their interests, their curiosities
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a8) next year we are going to have to figure out how to invent wifi since students said that was necessary for life on a planet
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I definitely get ideas for games from watching Survivor. Last year they did a life size Instant Insanity game that worked great.
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I know I've been trying to think of TV shows, movies, etc.. that revolve around Tech, Engineering, and Robotics to help out
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That is awesome. I have many I want to do video reviews for on just not sure how many people watch them.
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A8 ALL of them but especially game aisles, books, movies, D&D
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Love having students retheme games. Easy way to start getting them thinking and always focused on the content https://t.co/tL5Z6RPdW9
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don't reinvent the wheel. Ss retheme already created games
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The community never ceases to AMAZE me! Thank you ALL for joining in...and thank you for the honor of hosting!
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Ok. 1 more from these 2 boys. https://t.co/7VQLkDc9tg Other Ss used iMovie,while one used stop motion. Unleash the creativity!
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A8) Board games--Yahtzee (easy dice challenges); Race (Amazing Race); Story (Mission Impossible); and more board games!
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Tisha you make a great captain even when the seas are stormy. Thank you for that.
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I can't wait to read everything you all came up with in the first 1/2 hour! :) Sorry I was late! Thanks for always inspiring!
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Yes...garage sales!! And Dollar stores! :)
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A8) keep some dice in your pocket. You will find use in the classroom!
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Thanks to the whole community for a great list of ideas! Thanks !!!
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Thank you and have a wonderful night ! Meet back here next Wed...Same time...same place.
