Teach Me How to Play!
Who?
Welcome! My name is Jamie Locklin and I am
Instructional Technology Specialist working with 1st-5th
grade students in the Houston, TX area.
This website is
designed for you as the facilitator to communicate with other facilitators of
the project. Please feel free to email
with question or concerns (jwlocklin@gmail.com) or post them in the comments of
the part you are currently working on with the project.
You don’t need to
be a tech expert to join this project either! All you need is a camera (even
your phone will do), an internet connection, a class, and a sense of
adventure!
What?
This Global
Learning Project will provide your students the opportunity to interact with
other students around the world synchronously and/or asynchronously around a
topic they already love…GAMES!!!
Using expository
writing, and the writing-process, students will describe their favorite games
in a how-to paper that will then turn into a video tutorial of how to play
their favorite schoolyard or neighborhood games.
In the first part
of the project students will use their composition and writing skills to
describe the games that they play during recess, at home, or in their
neighborhood. Included in their writing should be an explanation of
instructions and rules to the game as well.
In the second step
of the project students will use their compositions to create a video
explaining the game they play. Classrooms can choose to record multiple games
or pick one in the end that is the class’ favorite after finishing the writing
part. These videos will be shared via
YouTube (or another approved method) and then shared with the other classrooms.
Students will then try to play the games of the other classes to see if the
instructions are clear. Classrooms can then connect synchronously via Google
Hangouts or Skype to ask clarifying questions and share the joys of what they
have learned about each other. As an alternative to synchronous meetings
classrooms can create a response video showing them playing the games the other
have taught them to connect asynchronously.
When?
This project will
repeat twice a U.S. school year (once from August to December, and again from
January to May), offering teachers and students the opportunity to participate
when their schedule allows during the year.
It is not necessary for the project to take all of the time allotted as
some projects could be finished in just three or four weeks.
Where?
In order for
students and teachers around the world to participate, example videos can be
found on JamieLocklin.com, as well as sample lesson plans and other
resources. These resources are all
located on ePals.com as well.
Why?
The purpose behind
this project is to not only enrich your curriculum by giving writing a global
dimension, but also to add a little fun to learning the expository writing
process that also helps students learn to respect, value, and celebrate other
cultures.
As the world grows
smaller every day, events that once seemed distant in places like the Ukraine,
Saudi Arabia or South Korea are now just a click or a tweet away. Through the games that students play they
will be taken from their own neighborhoods into the neighborhoods of this
ever-shrinking world to have an experience they will remember for a lifetime.
How?
An introductory
video explaining the idea behind the project is provided. Teachers will then help students brainstorm
the various games they play, creating an extensive list. From that list,
students will then choose one and write out instructions and directions to the
game.
After the
instructions have been through the writing process and are complete, a short
1-3 minute video will be made using their writing as a guide to help explain
the games. It is not expected that the paper will be read but will form the
guideline for the filming of the video project. The videos will then be shared
with the other classrooms.
Each participating
classroom will then vote on the favorite game they received and create a video
response (or connect live via Google Hangouts or Skype) to ask questions and
demonstrate them playing the game at their school.
All coordination
will be done through email, JamieLocklin.com blog postings, YouTube,
ePals/iEarn, as well as (when available) synchronous meetings via Hangouts or
Skype throughout the process.
