Author: Sweat to Inspire

Educator and Parent

Teaching Grit with Sploder!

Posted on by Sweat to Inspire

I have been getting tired of the “I am done” syndrome I have been noticing more and more of with my middle school students. In November I started searching for non-academic ways to engage students to work with out them wanting to be “done”. I needed something that would engage all learners. The project would have to be easy to accommodate. Student would have to be able to work at their own pace and be challenged.

I ran across http://www.Sploder.com, an online gaming community that has a game construction platform. Students love video games right? Exploring further I found that Sploder has four different video game construction platforms and a large variety of tools to use on their platforms. After checking out their YouTube channel, I saw endless possibilities for use in my 10 week elective class. I wanted my students opinion on the site before trying it out in a lesson. My first hour advisory class were the prefect test market. After introducing the site, students were excited to check it out. In the computer lab they enjoyed making quick mini-games and playing the games others had made. “This is pretty cool” said one, “when can we get back to Sploder” said another the next day. Of course this was just an advisory trial with no learning targets or objectives but to just see if the task would be engaging.

How would it work in my class was the big question? What learning targets could I use to focus students learning?

After playing around with the game construction for a few weeks, I felt the best learning targets for my class would be “Learning how to use a new web tool” and “Create a video game that your friends would like to play.” I decided to introduce the platform the same way I did in advisory.

“Day 1: Explore the Sploder site, check out all the games you can play, try building simple games on he different platforms available.” My class was engaged. Enjoying all the games the site has to offer. Trying out the different building options. Some were frustrated at times when they could not figure out how each tool worked. We paused and I talked about learning how to play a new game, it takes time. Failure or lack of full understanding is okay. Some students were really excited after they “Created” a game.

“Days 2-6 Work on making your game. Trail an error to make it the best it can be. Make sure your game is not too easy or too hard.” Students dove into the project. Trying different platforms, attempting to make a game similar to all of their favorites. Students quickly  learned what they felt was important to their game style.  It was nice to see students trying so many different tools to create their games. At times students would get stuck. They would ask each other for help first and then ask me. Not knowing the all the platforms or tools, my answer was lets figure it out. Checking the help menu, frequently asked questions or consulting video from You Tube became the best avenues for success.

Anytime a student would chirp the works “I am done!” I would ask them to share the game with a neighbor and ask them for their opinion. We even created a game critique form to use with each other. I started to over hear students telling each other to add to their games and make modifications. After a couple days, students were not wanting to be done but started to become upset when the class was ending. “Just another minute Mr. Bloch, I have to finish this part!” was heard more than once.

Day 7: Self-Reflection: Reflect on what you have learned by creating the game and how do you feel about your final product.” My students had a hard time at first articulating all the different tasks they learned. So after reading their first drafts, I took the time to model the process for them. I reflected aloud about how I learned and the process I went through. It ended up taking two days, but in the end the results showed me that it was a success.

Why a success? The students were engaged for the entire time period. Since this class has ended I have had students share with me updates on their games. One student even came up to me in the hallway to tell me about how he learned to improve his game. The student reflections show accounts of how the students learned to troubleshoot problems and work on improving a product. One student compared the video game creation process to that of writing, “we started with a rough draft, kept making modifications and improvements, like my language arts teacher wants me to do with my writing.” I feel students learned the GRIT they need in life from this project. I am current working with my second class on the project, seeing similar results.

Now to figure out how to have the students maintain their grit for science class. 

 

 

2013 Resolutions

Posted on by Sweat to Inspire

So it is a New Year! I have high hopes for 2013 as a professional educator. I have decided to post my resolutions for all to see to help me stay focused on the ideas and changes that I feel are important for this new year.

1. Stay positive: If I am going to make changes I have to focus on the positive and let the negatives lie where they are. I can give in and become an “energy vampire.” There is so much negativity surrounding the education profession today, it is easy to get sucked in an allow it to affect your teaching and you personally.

2. Expand my PLN: This past year of being a connected educator has helped me grow exponentially as an educator. I plan on continuing, I don’t think I could ever go back to being on “an island” alone with issues. Twitter, blogging, chats have so expanded my horizons and helped me find mentors and colleagues to push me as an educator.

3. Use more Formative Assessment in my classroom: Being my third year in the Formative Assessment for Michigan Educators program, I need to make sure I am using all of the wonderful techniques I have learned. I often focus on my favorites and forget about the rest. It is important to vary the Formative techniques I use. Need to focus more on allowing students to self-assess.

4. Lead by example: I need to continue by asking others to do as I do. Leaders leave the footsteps for people to follow them. I need to continue to press my feet into the ground for all to see and follow. If I say I am going to do something, I need to get it done. This goes for staff and students. I need to make sure if I ask the students to complete a task, I need to model it full for understanding,

5.  Blog: I need to do a better job of sharing my experiences. I am a poor writer in general, but I can write. If I write more I will get better. I wrote 53 blogs last year, I hope to improve on that number significantly this year. In blogging more, I will also be holding myself more accountable for my teaching and actions. I also have hopes of improving this site, by adding pictures and links,

 

I hope everyone has a great 2013. Keep up with your resolutions. Help hold me to mine.

All I want for Christmas

Posted on by Sweat to Inspire

This past week has been a whirlwind on my emotionally, sparking my brain to fill with thoughts about the world today.

Last weekend, I received word from the Michigan Education Association (Teacher’s Union) that the Michigan legislature was going to take action on Right to Work bills before them on Tuesday 12-11-12. As a local union leader this was upsetting that such a divisive issue would be voted on quickly, without public debate, during a “lame-duck” session. I made plans to head to Lansing to voice my concerns, also contacted my legislators to share my feelings. Feelings of anger and resentment filled my brain on Monday.

Tuesday came and I awoke early. Abandoning my students for the day to head to Lansing in protest. I arrived early in the morning and sat in the gallery of the Michigan Senate as thousands filled the lawn.  I listened to chants, protest cries and eloquent speakers voice opposition to the bills. Concerns and objections fell upon deaf ears, as bills passed mostly along party lines to an instant signature of the Governor, who previously state he did not want to see a “right to work bill” on his desk.

Disheartened by the lack of a democratic process, on Wednesday I returned to my classroom. Students arrived early stating they “missed” my presence (having missed 3 days in two weeks). The teacher from across surprised me with a large Starbucks cup filled with a sweet tasting latte. She stated “for all your efforts on our behalf.” For the first time I felt valued as a union leader. My students appreciated my return as well. Asking why I had to miss school and begging me not to miss again. My heavy heart was lifted, good will exists in the world. Coming home that night I noticed a friend on Facebook, paying it forward with her children by handing out lotto tickets to strangers in the parking lotto of the local supermarket.

Thursday I was greeted with another gift from a co-worker, this time lunch. Wow! what had I done for two days of gifts? Pride of working with a caring staff overwhelmed me. It was catching on with our students too. Walking around the building I noticed the boxes for our holiday food drive were filling up. By this point in the week, many staff members had come up to me to voice appreciation for my efforts and the value of the MEA.

Friday arrived and I was in good spirits again. Anticipation of our holiday staff party and the weekend break were dominating my mindset. A causal check of Facebook between classes on my cell phone changed everything. A childhood friend, who lied in Newtown, CT and attended Sandy Hook Elementary posted a comment about a helicopter flying over. I had no idea what it meant. Returning to class, my curiosity was sparked. What was going on. At the end of my fourth hour. I checked the web to investigate further.

The horror that occurred left me (and probably everyone else) shocked. Asking Why? Our staff party all of a sudden wasn’t so festive. Leaving many asking questions that could not and will not be answered. I was uplifted again by the generosity of yet another co-workers gift of beer presented to me at the party. Even in light of the days events she thought of me.

Saturday arrived with busy family activities. Basketball camp for Griffin my 8-year-old son and then a scout trip to Cranbrook Science Center in the afternoon. It wasn’t till evening that I slowed down to think about all that had transpired the day before. I turned on the news to find out more details. Seemed like plenty of white noise, talking about the shooter, his family and speculation on how he obtained the guns. Checking twitter with my phone, I saw a line about not making the shooter an anti-hero and for society to focus on the victims. I liked this and was ready to turn off the news coverage.

But I am so glad I didn’t. The next person I saw on the coverage was Robbie Parker, the father of 6-year-old victim Emilie Parker. I could never imagine the grief he was and still is dealing with. I would have been okay for him to stand their and voice his anger. He did not. He voiced his condolences to all involved in the tragedy including the shooter’s family. Robbie Parker is the shining example of how to look horror in the eye. He loved his daughter Emilie this is so clear. He doesn’t want her death to taint her wonderful life. Robbie Parker is one of the true Heroes in all of this. Modeling how to face tragedy.

After hearing him speak. All I want for Christmas is good will towards all. In this day an age of wanting material goods, the latest and greatest items. We need to return to the Christmas spirit of helping others and the giving of ourselves. Avoid the advertisements that make us desire more “stuff”. Focus on how we can make someone else have a better day.

The saying goes what comes around goes around. Pay it forward so we change our culture, in turn this type of violent acts will cease to exist.