Pearls of Wisdom Gamify Learning
What could have turned into an uncomfortable moment in a teacher-parent relationship eventually turned out to be a blessing. A blessing that has altered the course and pedagogy and dynamics of the past three years of Knox Gifted Academy 5th graders…as well as changing the teachers behind the story.
THE BACKSTORY
During fall conferences several years ago a parent questioned why we weren’t teaching the students the U.S. states and capitals. I responded that our big topic was early American history, that performance objectives had changed, and unfortunately students were no longer required to memorize and recite these facts. Initially I was frustrated by what seemed like an accusation about my teaching style. But long talks with my colleagues led us to Pearls of Wisdom.
THE IDEA
Around this same time, Jennifer Nusbaum (@NusKnights) was having her students memorize and recite “Jabberwocky” by Lewis Carroll. Her students had access to the poem and practiced memorizing it at home. When they were ready, the students recited the poem in front of Mrs. Nusbaum. This got us thinking about the importance of memorization, its place in education, and how to capitalize on her students’ excitement. Our conversations at some point turned to gamifying education. What if students earned a prize for a task that they could practice for outside of school? And what would happen if they went above expectations for earning that first prize, a sort of educational level-up? And what would be the content of these tests?
THE PROCESS
Fast forward three years and we’re still “doing” Pearls of Wisdom” in 5th grade and it couldn’t be more popular, both with this year’s group of students and last year’s group who yearn to have pearls in 6th grade.
On the first day of school this year, we introduced Pearls of Wisdom to our students by simply talking about it and showing them our website. Turns out many of them were already aware of Pearls from siblings or friends or simply overhearing conversations with last year’s 5th graders. Apparently the word is out. And the excitement is there. In just four days, 39% of our students have earned at least one pearl.
Our grade-level standards are extremely broad in every content area. We simply don’t have enough time during 180 days to accomplish everything. And yet we realize that some of the content we miss or the skills that develop are super important to each child’s development. We’re quite calculated about the content for each pearl. So let’s go back to the frustrated parent. What did she want? She wanted her child to learn (memorize) the 50 states and capitals. It would have been super easy for me to find a few online resources and pass the buck to the parents. But that’s too easy. And we don’t do easy. So each year we always start something important and something attainable: the U.S. Geography pearl. Students must correctly identify the location of the states on a map of the United States and write it on a spreadsheet along with the name of the capital. Students are given three chances to earn each pearl, although some leniency is given based on special circumstances, like previous effort, special needs, etc. There are also times when students can perform the task by reciting the states and capitols when a teacher points at a map. Once again these situations might be contingent on IEPs or other student needs.
Over the years, our bank of Pearls of Wisdom has grown and the way we introduce them to students has changed as we’ve changed. This year we decided to introduce six pearls at once: U.S. Geography, Poetry, Muscular System, U.S. Presidents, The Amendments to the U.S. Constitution, and Waterways of the USA. As you can see there is a particular Social Studies bent to our pearls. This is based on need, our comfort (or lack of comfort) with the content, and importance of the knowledge gained through pearl testing.
Last year we introduced the idea of a tiered system of pearls. We categorized pearls in three tiers. Tier 1 pearls (eg., U.S. Geography) are easier than, and prerequisites to Tier 2 pearls (eg., World Geography). The same is true for Tier 3 pearls.
Sometimes Pearls of Wisdom are strategic. We introduce the Apollo Missions pearl during our Earth and Space Science unit. Sometimes they are organic, born out of the climate of the learning environment. We introduced a Classic Literature pearl when we didn’t see many students reading the classics. Sometimes students design pearls. Last year a 5th grader created a pearl based on the flags of ALL the countries of the world.
So how does testing work? Each Wednesday, now forever known as Wisdom Wednesday, at home students are given the gift of time to spend catching up on incomplete or missing work. If they are finished with this work, they are expected to use their time studying for a pearl. When they get to school on Thursday, we give the test takers about 45 minutes to earn a pearl (or multiple pearls — the record is 4 in one day). While these students are testing, the rest of the class is working on a task that’s just not as exciting as earning a pearl. But the testers know that they must make up on their own time any work assigned Thursday morning.
Once all the testing is done and papers are graded or poems or speeches have been recited, we get the entire grade level together — this year that means 100 students in a room — to celebrate their pearls. Each child is recognized, celebrated, and can share study habits with peers.
We also post names of Pearlers on our website and other social media channels and keep a spreadsheet and use it as a data analysis tool for students.
THE PRODUCT
Sure the product is a bead or a series of beads on a string. But we make a big deal out of it. The Pearlers get our attention. They get attention from their peers. It’s their 15-seconds of fame. And because we make a big deal out of it, students learn study habits, time management techniques, prioritization of assignments. They also learn to deal with failure and success. And they learn the elements in the periodic table. They learn where the Missouri River is in relation to the Mississippi. They learn that not every U.S. President had a first lady. They learn how the differences between hobbits and trolls and dwarves. They learn to perform in front of others. They learn.
Can every class or grade level “do” Pearls of Wisdom? Why not. It’s not that different from what many teachers around the world are doing. Pearls of Wisdom are content based. Pearls of Wisdom feel like a game. Pearls of Wisdom give many kids a purpose.
If you’d like to know more, I’d encourage you to visit our KGA Team 5th Grade website. Please reach out to any of us on Twitter (@BuistBunch, @NusKnights, @notelycrew1, @gforceteach). We’d love to talk about Pearls. We’d love to collaborate and we’d love to hear your ideas.
Originally published at buistbabble.tumblr.com.
