It was past bedtime, but a morning snow delay ensured some extra sleeping in time, if needed. While my daughter was already asleep, battling a fever virus all weekend, my son, Alex, was still awake but had just finally agreed to brush his teeth. As he walked past my computer, he stopped to see what I was doing.
On the screen, there were animations that looked a little like the Pokemon characters. It was a math game called Prodigy I had just learned about and was trying out for my third graders. Alex is a second grader but actually the same age as some of my students. With a late fall birthday, we gave him the gift of starting kindergarten at five (turning six) instead of four and so he's a smidge older for the grade. He's also especially good at math and loves all things screens. He asked if he could try, so I turned my little animated Kathleen over to him. The program was super engaging to him- unlocking levels, designing and naming your character and a pet, battling monsters. All the while solving math problems. I could see how this game would be really fun and motivating for my students.Alex solved many tricky problems in his head (while I was using pen and paper to subtract), which was so impressive to me. will introduce Prodigy to my students today. Meanwhile, I made Alex his own account through my class so he could continue practicing his math skills with this fun and engaging game. It's really interesting when your children become the age of the children you teach. For many years (10), I taught kindergarten and my daughter is in kindergarten now. Alex will be a third grader next year but already I can see that he is interested in what my students are doing and special opportunities I create for them, like blogging. It's fun to see how he reacts to trying out what my students will do. Wearing two hats, mom and teacher, it's enlightening to see how decisions a teacher makes can inspire or deflate a student's interests. As a parent, it's the best to see the spark of learning alive in your child and know that flame is being fanned by all the educators in his life. Before I leave for work, I'll show Alex his new username and password for Prodigy. I can't wait for him to tell me all about it.
4 Comments
Jaana
3/4/2019 03:27:20 am
This s the point of educational game, engagement and practice. Perhaps I should investigate a little more the math game Dreambox that my ELs are using in secondary math...
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Erika Victor
3/4/2019 04:40:49 am
My students love Prodigy too. I agree, it is something special when your children are the age you teach- you see both your own students and your own children a little bit differently. My third graders are currently obsessed with Kaboom! I love that it never ends and I can target the skill (multiplication and division facts right now. https://starrspangledplanner.com/kaboom-possibly-best-center-game-ever/?v=fd7030716334
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3/4/2019 05:59:02 am
I remember when my kids started school and I had a whole new appreciation for how kids learn. I wasn't teaching a specific grade, but the K-6 span so it was fascinating as my children moved along and my fascination with teaching and learning at each of these ages and stages grew along with them. You are such a great mom and teacher. Thanks for sharing this slice.
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Heidi Atlas
3/4/2019 01:39:00 pm
It's so cool when your kids are near in age to the students you teach. I always felt like my kids made me a better teacher because you really got to understand that particular age from the inside. I remember when my younger daughter told me how uncomfortable and nervous she was in class when teachers would randomly call on students. It made me really aware of how my students might feel, and so I tried to avoid doing that as much as possible. It's also fun to try certain teaching ideas out on your own kids to see how they react. Alex sounds like the perfect recipient of your fun games.I love the line "he loves all things screens."
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AuthorKathleen Neagle Sokolowski Archives
February 2024
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