I’m a huge proponent of game-based learning. I remember vividly waiting all week for computer class in school, where we’d line up and march down to the dark lab filled with Apple 2E’s to enter commands and receive text-based. As painful as that sounds, even the limited amount of early “games” made learning so much more interesting. So while I was still somewhat surprised to read that Minecraft, a game my husband plays here at home on the weekends, is the latest trend in game-based learning in classrooms, I kind of wasn’t. The game is delightfully old-school and simple, but wildly expansive and customizable for both teachers and students alike. Not only that, it’s multi-player, so you can play and collaborate with others (check out this video to learn more). There is even a company (appropriately named MinecraftEdu) that now offers prebuilt modifications and lessons for teachers as well as in-service training and world building tools. 

So does it live up to the hype of being the ultimate educational tool? I think the value still lies in how the tool is used, but I’m excited to see how its use expands and grows in the classroom. 

Have you or someone you know used Minecraft in the classroom?  Let us know!

I recently read an article that said we need to shift our thinking about education from K-12 preparation to K-J preparation – “Kindergarten through Jobs”. It went on to discuss the importance of career preparation at all grade levels, and it made me think – what could I have done better to help kids connect to careers in my biology class? The result of my mental time-travel is below - a quick, practical way that you can help your students, regardless of age, begin thinking about careers.

NCL Seating Chart: Download the chart PPT template here.

Step 1 – Give each student a small slip of paper

Step 2  - Write the letters N, C and L on the board. Ask students to copy on their paper.

Step 3 – Decode the letters: N = name, C = career goal of student, L  = anything the student likes (could be a hobby, food, musician, tv show, book, etc.)

Step 4 – collect cards, open the seating chart template on your computer, and fill in the info

Step 5 – Keep your chart out as you teach. Make a habit of glancing at it and connecting to at least 3 students’ interests each class period.

This could be a direct content connection. “We just learned about photosynthesis. Jenny you want to be a nutritionist. How might photosynthesis impact the job of a nutritionist?” Or it could be used as a life check-in. “We have 5 minutes left of class. Taylor, what interests you the most about being a nurse? What’s your next step to prepare? John you want to be a mechanic – did you see that L Tech is having an open house this weekend?

*Want an added challenge? Put your chart in a sheet protector. Place a dot or check mark on each student as you make a connection. Try to connect with each student each week. 

I am always searching for resources for my young daughter, knowing that in the years to come life gets more complicated and growing up can be hard. Educators know this better than most! I came across these books on bullying, The Weird Series. These books are brilliantly illustrated and so much is portrayed through the pictures. I imagine the conversations (and questions) that would arise from these books would be fantastic. Each books comes with activity pages and questions for discussion. Check these out, and consider adding them to your classroom’s collection:.

How can we as individuals stop the violence and cruelty? That is a million dollar question that no one has the answer to. However, books like these bringing this topic to the forefront in a way that children can digest and starting a conversation with their parents, teachers and peers has to be a start.

“Delightful…Not only for kids, this series is a must for educators, parents and caregivers who want to help children end the cycle of cruelty.” – Barbara Coloroso, best-selling author of The Bully, the Bullied, and the Bystander