I was covering the math class at the continuation high school. They work on computers at their own pace. So, I spent the period monitoring them, trying to keep them on task.
But, when I'm there, they're on sub behavior. Their teacher (who is pretty strict) doesn't let them get away with a lot, so they're more likely to act up around me. Deep sigh.
When I'd see a kiddo not on task, I would ask if they were stuck and needed my help. Usually they said no and they'd get back on task, at least while I was standing over them. (This also elicited actual queries for help some of the time. And help I was happy to give.)
So, when I saw Parnell playing a game, I approached.
Parnell did need help. But rather than calmly explain what he wasn't getting, he flailed about, saying he didn't get anything and he couldn't do anything.
He was doing a unit on getting paid. Taking yearly salaries and breaking them down into how much one would get on a specific paycheck. So, I calmly read the question with him: if someone was getting paid monthly, and their annual salary was X, what would one need to do to figure out how much per paycheck?
He finally got an answer... that didn't match any of the choices he was given.
After some more flailing about, I had him do the problem again. Apparently he had miskeyed into the calculator as he got a right answer this time.
Since he was apparently back on track, I walked away. Only to look over and see he was back on his game. Naturally.
(The newest popular game at the continuation high school is Town of Salem. Considering the type of kiddos there, this is not surprising.)
Have you ever played Town of Salem? What is your favorite computer game?
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Never heard of it. Too bad they don't consider the problems to be games.
ReplyDeleteI go back and forth with computer games. I will have to ask my g-daughter if she knows this one.
ReplyDeleteShe might not. I wouldn't encourage her to get into it.
DeleteThanks for that advice. I won't ask her so she won't be tempted!
DeleteNever heard of Town of Salem, but I'm far, far out of the loop at this point. I haven't played video games since Solitare back in the 90s.
ReplyDeleteF is for Fascist Takeover of the US
I have not heard of this game. I'm still liking Word Tornado myself when I can play online games.
ReplyDeletebetty
I would bet that most subs have it worse then the teacher of that class, it is one of those deals where the kids just have to push to see how far they can go. You must have the patience of a saint.
ReplyDeleteHe was pushing. Quite a few of them know that they need math to graduate, and he's the only teacher.
DeleteNice F for the day.
ReplyDeleteI've never played that one. I did get hooked on one called Jelly Splash for a while a few years ago, until I got rushed into hospital for a spell and my phone battery was dying but they wouldn't let me charge it so I had no way of keeping in touch with my husband. The reason my phone battery was low was because I'd been playing Jelly Splash earlier in the day before I got poorly. Kind of went off of it after that.
ReplyDeleteThose games sure do eat phone batteries.
DeleteIt's not a math class if you're not trying to avoid doing the work as much as possible. That's like 90% of the class.
ReplyDeleteHaven't played it or heard of it *shakes head* at least you tried.
ReplyDeleteI did. It's on him if it takes him longer to graduate.
DeleteNo computer games here, altho my gr-daughter has volunteered to teach me how.
ReplyDeleteThere are some good ones that are worth your time. Not Town of Salem, however...
DeleteI never even heard about this video game. I'm actually glad they had to learn about taking yearly gross income down to monthly net...gives them a good perspective of how much is taken off ones pay.
ReplyDeleteThe business math modules are great. They do paychecks and taxes and all that.
DeleteOnce in while I'll play a computer game....Coffee is on
ReplyDeleteSome are great.
DeleteNever played that game. Last online game I played was zuma. I sometimes pass a few boring minutes playing s
ReplyDeleteSolitaire. And occasionally play hearts offline.
Perspectives at Life & Faith in Caneyhead
I'm not a gamer for the most part. I was hooked on card games Hearts and Free Cell on my Kindle Fire before my must caught me on fire. ~grin~ Be well!
ReplyDeletehttp://darlamsands.blogspot.com/
Don't get me started on card games online. I'm addicted to one at the moment.
DeleteNo, I haven't played Town of Salem. I won't make a joke and ask if it is related to the Oregon Trail game, either. Alana ramblinwitham.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteOh, I wish. No, in this one, the "town" votes on who to execute. I wish I was kidding.
DeleteGlad he finally got the answer correct under your supervision. Did you write a note to the teacher about him not staying on task? Or will he be punished in any way for not doing his work?
ReplyDeleteOh yeah. I'm okay with the occasional "get back to work", but the actively avoiding and then back on the game... That always gets a mention. And all names left receive consequences from this teacher.
DeleteNever even heard of the game. Arg. Makes me feel old. lol
ReplyDelete