LevelUp!

Kids love video games, in part because they are able to observe, make determinations and advance based on their own actions.  Video games (the right ones, in moderation) can provide children the opportunity to use reasoning skills and gain confidence.

LevelUp is my classroom intervention that brings the best of a video game's energy and confidence building potential to classroom and homework assignments.

It works well in my Tiny Schoolhouse, where students range from First through Fourth Grade in the same classroom.  Students who finish assignments early and well, both in class and at home, are offered the chance to grab a LevelUp assignment and earn an extra 5 points on their next test.

I was surprised when a Second Grader- and my shyest student by far- asked for a LevelUp assignment after hearing me explain it to a Fourth Grader who finished the classroom exercise early.

She embraced the day's LevelUp assignment (see below) and, as it turns out, our Fourth Grade speed finisher shied away from the challenge.

LevelUp: Writing Celebration

Write 1 paragraph about your favorite holiday.
Use at least 3 Proper Nouns
Use at least 6 Common Nouns
Circle the Proper Nouns
Draw a square around the Common Nouns
Underline the Subject of each sentence