Games and Learning

Minecraft is a game many teachers are already using in the classroom. Have a look at this video about 'Gallipoli in Minecraft®: Anzac Cove'

This week we want to discuss ALL of the games you play or might like to play in class and how these help your learning. It's not just the electronic games though, don't forget about all those board games and card games that help your learning.

But first let's play some games! Before you take part in Kidsedchatnz this week try to do at least one of the following tasks:

• Spend some time in class playing any game  (online or traditional eg, Minecraft, Scrabble, Monopoly)
• Build your own game and play it
• Reinvent a game
• Art of gaming - produce a piece of art that celebrates gaming

When you do a task make sure you take some photos or videos to share with other classes during the chat.

Questions for this week:

Q1. What are your favourite games and why?

Q2. Does gaming help with your learning? How?

Q3. What qualities/values/skills have you learnt from gaming?

Q4. How many learning games are being used in your classroom and which of these are the best to play?

Q5. What makes a game fun, interesting and educational?

Q6. If you could reinvent a game, what would you choose to add or change and why?

Q7. Does your class use gaming to collaborate or connect with others learners from your school or elsewhere?

Q8. Do you read books or watch videos about gaming? Does this make you a better gamer or learner?

 Q9. If your teacher could introduce one game into the classroom, what should it be and how would it be used for learning?

Q10. Share some of your photos or videos from the task(s) with us.

Week 4 - Never Give Up

This week's Kidsedchatnz topic is about NEVER GIVING UP! I think it today's world it is such an important mindset to have and learn about. 

Before taking part in the chat please watch the videos below! They are pretty inspirational!



QUESTIONS

1. Why is it important to never give up and to keep on trying?

2. "Failures open the doors to success!" Tell us about a time when you failed on something? 

3. Why do we give up? What can we do to avoid giving up in the future? Who can help us?

4. There's no such thing as an overnight success. What does this mean? Do you agree?

5. Tell us about a time when you had success? What did you do to achieve success?

6. Inner confidence and self-belief are the keys to success. Do you agree or disagree?

7. What is a challenge you have faced this year? Explain what happened.

8. We are responsible for our own success and learning. Do you agree or disagree?

9. "If you do what is easy, your life will be hard." What is this trying to tell us?

10. "Just decide who you are going to be, what you are going to do, how you are going to do it." What are you going to be and do?

YOU Matter!

This week's KidsedchatNZ is inspired by a cool American Teacher called Angela Maiers.

Angela shares a great message, and it is important for all of us. 

The message is  -  YOU MATTER.

KidsedchatNZ want you to think about how you are awesome. We want to know how you are a genius. Everyone has their own unique talents and abilities. What are yours? We would love to hear all about them.

Image attribution: angelamaiers.com

Have a read of the YOU MATTER manifesto. A manifesto is a public announcement or declaration. There are some important points to think about there.

Questions for this week:

Q1. Why are you awesome? What is your Genius?

Q2. What would you like to change in the world around you?

Q3. How do you think that you could do this?

Remember “We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love”
– Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Q4. What is the best thing that a Teacher has ever said to you?

Q5. Think of a time when you have achieved a goal. Tell us what this felt like.

Q6. Do you have some learning that you are really proud of? Take a picture and tweet it!

Q7. Name five people that you would put on a "Dream Team" to encourage and inspire you.

Q8. Why are these people amazing to you? Are they famous people, successful people, members of your family?

Q9. What makes you feel proud?

Q10. Think about how you could contribute to make the world a better place. Share your idea with us.