Learning 4Life Success: January 2017

1/20/17

Math Hacks

Second Semester, Tiospa Zina Tribal School is launching another experimental class as part of the Learning 4 Life Success project. It's called "Math Hacks" and it meets 5th hour. Here's the website we use to organize our work.

Four out of five. Of course, we don't actually
know who they are....

The five freshmen in the class (who, at this point in the semester, are still a bit camera shy!) each have an individualized math instructional curriculum. The class members also work together on hands-on math projects. So, it's not just "pencil and paper" math!

Working to have one's name added to the Wall of
Champions makes math more engaging.

This week, for example, members learned or reviewed how to measure with a ruler (to the 1/4 and even 1/8 inch) and then measured various objects in the classroom to create a class poster. They also used statistics from the NFL Playoffs to compute meaningful averages (means) and draw conclusions about various teams.

Because the members of this class have unique math learning needs, we use a method called "Rotations" so that each student gets one-on-one instruction specific to what he needs to learn next. It's common to see each student on task, earning his game XP.

These freshmen are competitive! They are all focused on "leveling up" every single week, with a pizza party planned when the first one on this team reaches Level 20!

Several have already reached Level 6, and we're only into our third week of Epic Quest!

Competition and Motivation

Each "Player" created a personal shield with symbols that
included their career aspirations, their Dakota heritage/culture,
and a personal strength or value. (more shield pictures soon)

Most teens enjoy video or computer games. It's always exciting to "level up" by figuring out a challenging puzzle, slaying a dragon or monster and rescuing someone, or discovering some trick that allows you to gain an advantage. Gamification means teams and individuals conquer many difficulties on a quest for something of great value.

This semester, the Juniors and Seniors taking Communication for Life Success and the Freshmen taking the new course Math Hacks for Life Success are challenging each other in the classroom-wide game we call Epic Quest.

Epic Quest is a game played "over" the usual curriculum of the classroom. In other words, we learn the same curriculum, but we also play the game at the same time.

Instead of "homework," students can earn XP (experience points- it's a gamer term) for Solo Missions. Instead of class assignments, students earn XP for Hero's Labors. You don't get detention if you get in trouble. Instead, your team sentences you to hard labor (a writing or math assignment done in the "dungeon" of the classroom during lunch hour.)

Earning XP for his team!

A player (student) who clearly demonstrates the Dakota values and Performance Based Learner Outcomes earns Stakeholder XP for their contributions. And, one who earns Integrity XP has done so by demonstrating on-task behavior and a focus on doing their personal best in all class activities for the day.

Each student can "level up" (we have 20 levels!) according to their personal hard work and XP. But, in addition, each team (upper class v freshmen) competes to determine who, by the end of the quarter, will "conquer" the other. No violence- just lots and lots of collaboration, hard work, and focus!

As of today, the 11/12th graders have already earned over 404,000 XP; the Freshmen have already earned 395,000 XP.

You can see their scores "live" here>> LINK<<

1/16/17

We Welcome Jaron!

It's hard to believe it, but we are already half-way through the school year!

Jaron Wilson joined our Communications for Life Success and Technology for Life Success classes for Second Semester.

We're glad he's here. He's already hard at work with us as we add to our inspirational Wall of Woksape (woksape is Dakota for Wisdom!)

Want to see some of the motivating sayings we're curating from our reading, study, discussion, and videos?

Check out the poster display decorating the top of the hallway by our classroom door!

If you have a recommendation, please let us know.

1/14/17

We almost forgot to tell you about...

(Well, actually, it's Sister Patrice who almost forgot to post this.)

The last day before Winter Break, we had an excellent experience- we received "A Gift of Books."

Mrs. Malewicki, from Milwaukee, WI, is a friend of Sister Patrice's. She sent us Amazon gift money to purchase books about careers and areas of interest.

A group of elders, all who are Sisters of the Divine Savior (S. Patrice's group) also sent us gift money for books.
These women like to read all kinds of books. Some of them were nurses and some were teachers when they were younger.

We each selected several books we liked from Amazon and learned how to decide which version and whether we wanted a new or used book. (Used books are cheaper).

We found books about our hobbies (like reading horror stories!) and about our future career interests. Some of us decided to also buy books to give to others in our family as holiday gifts.

We are really enjoying our books, and we sent them a variety of notes to thank them for the gift of reading!

Future Careers

The headline, carefully crafted to match the hallway decor, reads "Future Careers."

Below the headline, you can explore seven diverse career options selected by members of our class. We used a computer program called "Career Cruising." Lorelei and Ian have already completed 100% of their required "cruising" and the rest of us are not too far behind.

We used the information in "Career Cruising" as well as other research tools to complete and type a set of questions. Then, we selected appropriate graphics and cut out information from magazines or brochures and prepared a poster for display.