After a quick warm-up, the geometry kids jumped back into designing their games with both feet! Walking around the room, listening to the ideas that they are going to present on Monday, I was incredibly impressed with both the variety of games and depth of content.
One group is designing a game similar to "Life" but with a business and finance aspect. The concept is that players are given a small business and try to build it up faster than the others. When they asked me about how they might include a geometric aspect, we talked for a little bit and discussed the idea of logistics. One of those students has an aunt who is a graphic designer and they want to print their game board on a poster to be laminated.
Another group is looking at the idea of a game board where you buy Tetris-like pieces to construct a house before other players.
A third is thinking about being trapped in a pyramid with rotating rooms from which players would have to escape.
I am amazed by what these kids are coming up with!
I am definitely going to hit up gaming companies with these ideas when they are done! Some of these ideas should be making money for the kids.
In the first 5 minutes of pre-algebra, I put one kid in the hall and moved the seats of two others. The rest of the class ROCKED the work I gave them. They were jumping over themselves to volunteer answers. Even when they weren't sure of the process, they were fine working it out verbally in front of the class.
I pulled several kids aside afterwards to let them know how proud I was of them and to thank them for being productive members of the class.
I am actually really enjoying the game project. I didn't think I would like it because I'm not always the best with creative projects, but even though it's only day 2 of the project I'm really looking forward to all the finished projects. Also we're not trying to escape a temple we're trying to get to the golden flower that is hidden deep in the middle of the temple. Though this project is making us argue over who's idea is better. Also, I feel like you should tell the students there doing better more. I don't know about some people but when a teacher tells me I'm doing well I get really happy and work harder. I like it when teachers are honest with their students. It lets them know why the teacher might have a problem with them and it lets them know what they should do to help get the teacher to like them a little more. I do realize though that all students may not be open to this, so teachers should be careful about who they should talk to but I do really enjoy when my teacher is completely honest with me about my work and my behavior.
ReplyDeleteIsabel,
DeleteThank you for this! I think you're absolutely right! I am incredibly proud of my students this year and I should tell you all that more often.
Your Remind101 for tonight was scheduled before you posted this. :-)
I'm so glad that you're enjoying this project! I know that not everything we've done this year has been amazing, so I'm glad that you like this one! I have great faith in your creativity and I'm so glad to have you in my class this year.
It has been difficult and wonderful and I wouldn't change a thing.
Thank you for being you!