hi everybody, Jay from NE, MS science, favorite time to go on vacation is probably the summer (can't drag myself away from school!). go out to eat... ANYTIME!! #xplap
Hi! I'm Carol McLaughlin from Birmingham, AL. I teach 2nd grade. My favorite time to create is right when I get the idea. My favorite time to go on vacation is in the summer to a cool (both meanings) place. And my favorite time to go out to eat is for dinner! #XPLAP
Dave Kolb, 7th Grade Math, Genoa, IL.
A lot of my ideas occur during morning commute leading into creation before school. Vacation time when @Miss_Harter and my schedules align. Friday/Saturday for dinners out #XPLAP
✨⌚️Good evening, #XPLAP Crew!
My favorite time to...
Create: ALWAYS
Vacation: ANYTIME
Go out to eat: ALL THE TIME,
but enjoy eating in
& cooking too.⌚️✨
#XPLAP
Hi Everyone! Susan Basalik, Music Teacher, Methacton School District, Eagleville, PA. Favorite time to create: anytime the mood hits! Favorite time to go on vacation: Early August to Nova Scotia. Favorite time to go out to eat: Saturday night.
I create best in the shower or when alone in my classroom. Today I realized that my game will be themed on making objects in my room have powers and back stories. #XPLAP
Jen from Nor Cal. My fav time to create is usually when something important is due! LOL . My fav time to go on vacation is REALLY CLOSE TO PAYDAY #xplap
Late to the part! I am Tracey, and I am a HS teacher in Illinois. My favorite time to create is right when I am waking up. That is when I have best ideas! #XPLAP
A1 2 times have seemed really important: when students are feeling the lag and need a boost, and when it is a truly authentic moment worthy of recognition #xplap
A1: I'm new to gamification so I have to plan points or they won't happen. I keep a spreadsheet for the week and then update on Thursday in time for "Fateful Friday" and "Move Up Monday" @KimSnodgrass's schedule was my inspiration! #XPLAP
A1 My XP is tied to my students grades. I give loads of feedback to ensure Ss understand the skill or content and then give XP when they show competence. (my VLOG this week is about this https://t.co/oDvT1qP3y0) #XPLAP
I did some spontaneous point-giving today when students shared their creative writing journals. They are usually shy, so once the points started rolling they started sharing! #XPLAP
A1 Every class starts with an event, some XP can be earned here, but not always. Boss Boss and side quests are the main ways to earn in my game. Recently introduced items which added even more excitement. Students are earning and looking for cards all over school. #XPLAP
A1 so next year I will definitely wait until after the first ptc and the game will start then teaching the game + content + MS skills + MS expectations + student athletes was too overwhelming for my group of kids #XPLAP
A1 An example of the power of timing: a kid who is often in trouble for bullying, made a connection with one of our differently-abled student. After seeing his compassion, I publicaly awarded him an empathy badge -- which is wears proudly. Now he SEES himself diffently #xplap
A1b In place of XP like what @mrmatera and others have I use "Silver". They use this to buy items. This can be random or part of a challenge. I like to make it random after completing a mission (like getting a loot box). #XPLAP
A1: I give out house points and do all the time. I’m still working on when I can give out items on a more consistent basis. Part of that comes with the newness and not having a ton of items #XPLAP
A1: since I’m subbing, I only get to pick up the games the other teachers have set-up already. But I find it works best to mention these games earlier in the day for elementary kids, since most of the consequences are handed out during lunch. #XPLAP
A1: I have found that I give out my items after several days. I collect a bunch of quests, score them, and then in class hand out items when Students are "working" many kids love to see what others get are have their eyes on the work and the payouts! #XPLAP
A1: I've given it all different times. Sometimes it is because I'm super excited about an item. Other times when a student has done something big first. And sometimes in a squad battle, I have items to give out. Is it bad I don't have a set time? ?? #XPLAP
A1- I like to try and do small thing daily in terms of XP to keep kids engaged. I am rolling out an item of the week so that I can keep up with card printing and Wed is my leaderboard update day #xplap
My 3rd grader is deeply motivated by Class Dojo points and was crushed when a sub took some points away that he thought was unfair. Kind of a double edged sword sometimes... #XPLAP
I need to give points as the games happen because I teach 42 classes a week and none of the classes repeat. My students need to see scores in real time. #xplap
YES! I have found this to be true with my 2nd graders! Even though I do not feel I have this whole gamification thing worked out in my head yet. :) #XPLAP
A1: I also like to give out some group items to kiddos after activities that I could have my groups compete... Review days are a great example of a time I do this... #XPLAP
A1: It depends on what is earned. Culinary missions have a due date and I give badges on the day after they are due. For challenges I give them on the day of challenge or next day depending on how fast I tally scores. #xplap
A1 My rank order leader board is a live spreadsheet on my class website, students must be proactive and come to ME and ask for their badges! It is my only survival for having over 250 kids participating in a game. Special badges I award. #xplap
A2: I could use a Time Mechanic for starting and ending class. Professionally I do well with bellringers/warm-ups, but I struggle with closure. This could be a great time to implement a Time Mechanic -- accountability for all! #XPLAP
A1: I’m new to gamification this year so I am still trying to figure this out. Right now I give out items and badges when there is a natural break, so not scheduled. Points are given then but also spontaneously like in Harry Potter. “100 points to House Zoi!” #XPLAP
my items are generally cards that I print off, so it's pretty cheap. bigger issue is finding cool pictures to use for the cards, I'm trying to get the students to find some for me this year. #xplap
In reply to
@MrsHying, @MrBillingsclass, @jcoswald
A1
⌚️
WHEN THE MOMENT FEELS RIGHT!
I give team XP during Battle Ship Battles and when side quests are turned in, but sometimes it's special to give XP when the moment just feels right! Crazy special XP worthy moments are often unexpected and happen by chance if you wait. #XPLAP⌚️
A2: I like to give some quick quests... I post them in different spaces i.e. Email, Google Classroom, the Lunch Tables anywhere I can think of really. They have 24 hours to complete. #XPLAP
A2 I have a "transition" period where students can hand in past mission activities but can no longer work on them in class. It is subtle but effective. I think I talked about it here. https://t.co/u7whoqQt6F#XPLAP
A2 This is a good question! Maybe item cards could start out at a low price but then go up? Maybe a badge or other item allows cards to be bought at a discount? #xplap
It's amazing how energizing it is for ME! I'm excited to get to school each day, I love coming up with new ideas and challenges, and the kids are totally engaged. Who-da thunk? #XPLAP
A2 SO I’m super psyched about this one! I go to the Ss area in the mornings on days with first block plans and the cafeteria during most days of the week if they speak to me about content I reward XP if they speak to me at all I build relationships either way a win win #XPLAP
Yes! Slow roll out and big fanfare. This is the first year for me and it is taking awhile for my students to buy in. But as the items are handed out and Easter eggs are found students are becoming more involved. #xplap
A2: I have chance cards that allow for missions to have an extension on due date. Also like idea of certain do only being available within certain amount of minutes of class starting. #xplap
I am n the same boat in terms of the cards that I make as items. But all I tell them is the joy and engagement kids get in the game and side quests as my admin has been very supportive #xplap
After winning a big challenge the winning team had a challenge called "Friends Become Enemies" and the group had a dice battle to see who would win the Golden Duck. It was epic, because they had worked together for so long...a little evil on my part. #xplap
That is exciting! AND we are new to it. I think next year will be easier for us! :) I'm about 2 steps ahead of what my kids know about the game. :) #XPLAP
It starts to slow down around 150, but keeps chugging until about 200. It's a good thing though - finding your name in a list of 200 is hard enough - I can't imagine if the list was longer! #xplap
A2- one of the mechanics I want to use is a side quest that has a 1-2 day turn around that you can earn an item for completion. I have also created a random/daily event in @classcraftgame that gives students bonus XP for daily assignments that only happen on that day #XPLAP
A3: For our unit students are grouped based on their pairings in the novel (Westing Game). They eventually get repaired, but since the unit is so short there won't really be time to really mix it up. I'm hoping my next unit can be longer! #XPLAP
A3: I have not decided if I am going to switch groups. My kids are VERY attached to their detective agencies/squads. They have made signs and everything! :) I think I'll use different groups for nongame activities but keep them in their game groups. :) #littles#XPLAP
A3: My Ss switch teams daily during our first few weeks and then settle into teams for a semester. I love the bonding that happens when Ss stay in groups for an extended time. #xplap
Night #XPLAP. Need to get the little one to sleep. Check out our Gratitude blog posts. I will be sharing them all month at https://t.co/4GYFrLQPOX. Others here are sharing too!
A3 I dunno - all kinds of tiny things, I guess. My students flex in and out of groups a lot, but I try to build in small team building moments - just quick games or simple projects like coming up with a name can bring people together #xplap
A3 so classes switch at semester so a great team builder for new dynamics is going back to your first challenge or theme for me it is which allegiance are you @DCComics or @Marvel#XPLAP
a3) I have class vs. class vs. class in 8th grade this year. So that one wont change. The 7th grade game Ss picked their groups at the beginning and are free to change whenever they want (provided they complete a quest to get to another group) #xplap
A3: I have my kiddos keep their guild for a quarter. I find this is a good amount of time for them to get the stregths and weeknesses of everyone in the group. Works well. #XPLAP
I'd like to revise my intro answer--- the best time to create is after an #XPLAP chat! My brain is going to short circuit with all of these brilliant ideas!
A3: We switch each quarter. It seems like a natural transition point. The kids like to mix it up and get tired of the same group, even if they're winning. #xplap
A3: subbing now, so this is just in theory, but I would imagine it’s appropriate to switch teams up every three weeks or so. Or perhaps break a semester down into four quarters and do the switch-ups then. #XPLAP
A3: MAKE SURE YOU GIVE TIME TO BOND when you change groups. Sooooooo many teachers only do team building at the start of the year. Take time to build relationships and bonds that will help them be stronger and accomplish more together in the future. #XPLAP
Yeah. I just tried one before Halloween because I wanted tinted and hook more of my students and it worked. And, it sparked more interst in the game overall. #xplap
A3 My students have a team throughout the entire year. They choose these teams and so far have done a great job of holding each other accountable. However, during certain times, I group the different player types
(I have 3) together for a class period. #XPLAP
A3 Also, teams can be by homeroom, but I set up guilds randomly with only 6 guilds for the entire school. Tons of kids are in the same guild and it builds cross grade-level bonding #xplap
I practice Restorative Circles in my classroom, so we were fortunate to have a solid base before we started. There are a few partnerships that are experiencing friction, but they're growing! #XPLAP
A2
🕑 🏃♀️
MASTER CHEF’ISH
Gave points today for number of correct answers in a specific amount of time during this fun game idea from @mrmatera’s YouTube channel... https://t.co/j4jdSEhcmD ... I added a little spice too! 😉 #XPLAP 🕠 🏃
One time I awarded each group only one item and they had to decide who got it not was interesting to see how they decided. Some wanted to use the die. Some awarded it to the student they thought contributed most to the group’s success, which I like a lot. #xplap
A3
✨⌚️✨
FATEFUL FRIDAY
💥💥💥💥💥
We have Fateful Friday... Teams (ships) whose players do not have immunity have to face a dreaded fate... loss of points, stranded on an island, and... sometimes even includes switching ships. Love leaving it up to chance!
#XPLAP⌚️✨
A3 This year I'm going to try a few item cards that allow Ss to switch groups if they want. Maybe switch multiple Ss between groups? Still brainstorming this. #xplap
A3: I switch quarterly. I determined groups firs quarter. Second quarter they got to choose seats and then told them their group. They do a lot of group discussions, creating and share outs which help them to bond. I really have great classes. 😁#XPLAP
A3- I have maintained groups and want to do a change at semester and next year I need to add some more change. I set them up at first random and then moved some around but I will admit that this is an area I need to work on #xplap
My lab/activity groups are different from my year long game groups. Lab groups switch once a month. Last year I kept the same game groups all year. I used the Bartle Test to first help sort Ss into teams. #xplap
Thanks again #XPLAP. Never fails to get the creative juices flowing. I'm hoping to get some creating done during conference down time the next two nights.
My games are 7 week terms, I get a new class of 7th grade art students every 7 weeks. I improve game a little more each time. But I’m treading water #XPLAP
In reply to
@missmac100, @TraceyKast, @pentaclethra
Curious: what does island stranding do? Also, if someone switches ships, how do you rebalance the ships? Do the ships have assets independent of individual players? (shared purchases)?
#XPLAP
So true!! Even if it is a five-minute game or question to discuss. I have these cards that have crazy questions and if I have Five mins I will have them answer and share with their group. #XPLAP
