I also re-imagined how to teach the preparation classes. Specifically, I wanted the different factions to begin with a fair amount of solidarity and also a solid understanding of what they want and how to achieve it. Part of the problem is that the first time I led this class, I did not foreground the point system. I understand this hesitancy, as it could lead to classes being too focused on the points and not on the collective story. However, I think I lost out on the competitive nature of my students by not doing so.
Here’s how I set up the first day of preparation:
1) Lecture that introduces the mechanics of the game
2) Mini-Game: Meet ‘n’ Greet Challenge
3) Strategy Session with Faction
1) Lecture I’ll post these slides once I have a chance to pretty them up
2) Meet ‘n’ Greet Challenge
As part of the homework for this class, I asked the students to read their assigned character sheets and to come to class prepared to answer these questions:
I felt good about my character assignments with the winners: in both my classes, it was Lithicles who won (in my first class, he talked to 14 other students in under five minutes!)
3) Strategy Session with Faction
I broke the students into their factions and gave them about thirty minutes to complete this assignment sheet. Some of the stuff might seem overly basic, but earlier in the semester I had had them complete group work I know that communication was an issue, so I figure forcing the students to decide how they will communicate makes sense. I also wanted them to take some responsibility for figuring out when their assignments are due.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the students surprised me with how they completed this sheet. In my 8AM class, the Socratics, in part due to some prompting by Lithicles, didn’t simply research potential allies by reading the descriptions of the factions in the book: they found the Solonian Aristocrats and started hashing out deals for upcoming votes.
Obviously, the Indeterminates don't work together as a faction, so I came up with a different sheet for them that tries to get them to simultaneously private reflect on how to accomplish their secret goals AND find a study buddy to help them keep track of deadlines.
Handouts:
Here’s how I set up the first day of preparation:
1) Lecture that introduces the mechanics of the game
2) Mini-Game: Meet ‘n’ Greet Challenge
3) Strategy Session with Faction
1) Lecture I’ll post these slides once I have a chance to pretty them up
2) Meet ‘n’ Greet Challenge
As part of the homework for this class, I asked the students to read their assigned character sheets and to come to class prepared to answer these questions:
- Your character’s name (I noticed last semester that it often took a student many times to become comfortable with Greek names)
- Your character’s faction
- How your character makes money
- An interesting detail about your character; if you can’t remember one, invent one!
I felt good about my character assignments with the winners: in both my classes, it was Lithicles who won (in my first class, he talked to 14 other students in under five minutes!)
3) Strategy Session with Faction
I broke the students into their factions and gave them about thirty minutes to complete this assignment sheet. Some of the stuff might seem overly basic, but earlier in the semester I had had them complete group work I know that communication was an issue, so I figure forcing the students to decide how they will communicate makes sense. I also wanted them to take some responsibility for figuring out when their assignments are due.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the students surprised me with how they completed this sheet. In my 8AM class, the Socratics, in part due to some prompting by Lithicles, didn’t simply research potential allies by reading the descriptions of the factions in the book: they found the Solonian Aristocrats and started hashing out deals for upcoming votes.
Obviously, the Indeterminates don't work together as a faction, so I came up with a different sheet for them that tries to get them to simultaneously private reflect on how to accomplish their secret goals AND find a study buddy to help them keep track of deadlines.
Handouts: