Kind Academy's Virtual Gaming Social Club
What's included
1 live meeting
55 mins in-class hours per weekClass Experience
Welcome to the Kind Academy's Online Gaming Club! A unique space exclusively tailored for gamers who wish to share their passion for games and connect with their peers in a safe and supervised environment. While this isn't a direct instruction class, learners will have the opportunity to explore and deepen their understanding of games, gaming strategies, and virtual worlds. They will learn from each other's experiences and possibly share best practices, tips, and tricks for their favorite games. Topics Covered: 1. Introduction & Kind Gaming Best Practices: 2. Gaming Highlights: Sharing individual favorite moments or strategies in popular games like Minecraft, Roblox, Mario, Super Smash Brothers, and Pokémon. 3. Game Mechanics Discussion: Dive into the why and how of certain game mechanics and how they enhance the gaming experience. 4. Sharing Game-Related Creations: This could be anything from a Minecraft build to a Roblox script or even a drawing of a favorite Pokémon. Class Structure: Each session will begin with a brief check-in and setting the tone for respectful interaction. Following this, learners will break out into smaller discussion groups or pairs, depending on the topic of the day, ensuring everyone gets a chance to share and discuss. Teaching Style: Guides will play a supervisory role, ensuring conversations remain respectful and within the guidelines. They will not participate in the games but will facilitate the conversation, prompting deeper reflection or discussion when necessary. Interaction: The core of this club is interaction. While there won't be traditional lectures, there will be: - Open Discussions: Allowing learners to chat about their in-game experiences. - Gameplay Sharing: Where students can share their screens to display something they've achieved or discuss a particular strategy. - Group Reflection: A time for learners to discuss what they've learned from each other. Required Experience: No prior gaming expertise is required, just a passion for games! However, learners must adhere to the principle of playing non-violent games suitable for those under 10. While they will be playing on their own devices, the shared discussions must align with this rule. Note: Since our learners love talking about their games, this club is their perfect space to do just that. Under the watchful eyes of our guides, this is their time to shine, share, and socially connect over the games they love. Weekly Breakdown: Note: Each week's theme and focus will be based on student interest and will be student-directed. - Week 1 (September 14th - 20th): Introduction & Sharing: Learners introduce themselves, share their favorite games, and discuss initial plans for the club. This week is all about laying the groundwork for the upcoming weeks and getting to know one another. Gaming of course! - Week 2 (September 21st - 27th): Dive Into Gameplay: Based on Week 1 discussions, learners jump into their chosen games. They can share screens, collaborate on challenges, and discuss game strategies, mechanics, and narratives. - Week 3 (September 28th - October 4th): Gameplay: Learners showcase their in-game achievements, unique creations, or exciting experiences. It's a time to celebrate everyone's contributions and progress in their respective games. - Week 4 (October 5th - 11th): Game Play: Learners can collaborate on multiplayer games or challenges. The week wraps up with feedback, sharing memorable moments from the club, and discussing their favorite games. We will continue to dive into game play! Join us for a delightful social gaming experience, and nurture friendships while diving deep into the virtual worlds you love! Gaming social clubs can offer a plethora of benefits for kids. Here are some reasons why they are beneficial: 1. **Social Skills Development:** Engaging in a gaming social club allows kids to interact with their peers, learn teamwork, practice communication skills, and understand the dynamics of collaboration and competition in a safe environment. 2. **Sense of Community:** Many children feel a deep connection to their virtual worlds and characters. Being part of a club where everyone shares a similar passion helps foster a sense of belonging and community. 3. **Learning Opportunities:** Beyond just gameplay, these clubs often dive into game design, mechanics, and strategy. Kids can learn critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills as they discuss and dissect different aspects of games. 4. **Cultural Exposure:** With online gaming, kids often play with peers from different parts of the world. This exposure can enhance their understanding and appreciation of diverse cultures and viewpoints. 5. **Safe Environment:** Gaming social clubs, especially those supervised by adults, provide a controlled environment where kids can share their experiences, discuss games, and play together. This can mitigate the risks associated with unsupervised online interactions. 6. **Emotional Skills:** Engaging in discussions about game narratives, characters, and experiences can help kids explore and express their feelings, empathy, and understanding of complex emotional scenarios. 7. **Enhanced Creativity:** Many games offer players tools to create content, from building structures in Minecraft to designing levels in Roblox. Discussing and sharing these creations in clubs can stimulate and celebrate creativity. 8. **Setting Boundaries:** Being part of a structured gaming club can help kids understand the importance of balance. Scheduled sessions can instill discipline and time management, ensuring that gaming doesn't interfere with other responsibilities. 9. **Reducing Stigma:** Gaming, though popular, still carries a certain stigma in many circles, especially concerning its impact on kids. Gaming clubs can highlight the positive aspects, dispelling myths, and allowing parents and caregivers to understand the benefits. 10. **Promotes Respectful Interaction:** Gaming clubs emphasize rules, respect, and fair play. This can be a valuable lesson for kids, teaching them to engage respectfully even in competitive scenarios. In essence, while gaming in moderation is key, gaming social clubs can transform this popular hobby into an enriching experience that bolsters personal and interpersonal skills in children.
Learning Goals
**Learning Goals for Kind Academy's Virtual Gaming Social Club:**
1. **Social Interaction & Teamwork:**
Learners will develop social skills and teamwork by engaging with peers, sharing experiences, and collaborating on in-game challenges.
2. **Critical Thinking & Strategy:**
By discussing and analyzing game strategies, mechanics, and challenges, learners will enhance their critical thinking skills.
3. **Oral Communication:**
As learners discuss their gameplay experiences, they'll practice articulating their thoughts, ideas, and strategies, thus improving their communication skills.
4. **Digital Literacy & Navigation:**
By participating in various online games, learners will become more adept at navigating digital environments and understanding game mechanics.
5. **Cultural Awareness & Empathy:**
Gaming often introduces various cultures, backgrounds, and narratives. Learners will develop a sense of cultural awareness and empathy as they engage with diverse in-game characters and stories.
6. **Creativity & Innovation:**
Games like Minecraft and Roblox encourage creative expression. Learners will have the opportunity to design, build, and innovate within these platforms.
7. **Problem-Solving:**
Facing in-game challenges and obstacles will push learners to devise solutions, promoting problem-solving skills.
8. **Safety & Digital Etiquette:**
With supervised interactions, learners will understand the importance of maintaining safety online and practicing good digital etiquette.
Through this social club, learners will not only enjoy their favorite games but also hone essential skills that are valuable both in and out of the virtual world.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
**Game Content & Safety Guidelines for Kind Academy's Virtual Gaming Social Club:**
1. **Parental Responsibility:**
While the Virtual Gaming Social Club provides a platform for discussion and interaction around games, it is the responsibility of parents to ensure their learners have access to appropriate games. We encourage parents to regularly review and monitor the games their children are playing.
2. **Game Restrictions:**
Our club maintains a strict policy against violent or inappropriate games. We adhere to this to ensure a comfortable and safe environment for all participants.
3. **Content Warnings:**
While the majority of our discussions revolve around family-friendly games, there might be moments when game narratives or challenges are brought up that could be unsettling for some learners. We always strive to steer conversations in a positive and inclusive direction.
4. **Game Ratings:**
We advise parents to always check the official ESRB or PEGI rating of any game their child wishes to discuss in our club. This ensures that the game content aligns with the learner's age and our club's guidelines.
5. **Third-party Tools:**
We do not use any third party tools in this course
We prioritize the safety and well-being of our learners. By working in partnership with parents, we aim to create a fun, enriching, and secure gaming social experience for all participants.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Teacher expertise and credentials
1 teacher has a teaching certificate
Florida Teaching Certificate
Florida Teaching Certificate in Elementary Education
Now Accepting Florida, Arizona, and New Hampshire ESA!
Hi Kind Families!
Ms. Iman, here! We believe in making learning as fun as possible. As a homeschool-friendly hybrid school (and homeschoolers ourselves) we understand the need to make sure we are teaching what children are interested in and we also make sure to teach to our student's learning styles.
For the 2023-2024 School Year we will be teaching the following on Outschool
Kind Online Level 1: Learners gain access to personalized curriculum, 3 study hall classes, and 1 project based learning class per week with a Kind Guide. You can find it here:
https://outschool.com/classes/homeschool-study-hall-+-project-based-learning-kind-online-level-1-no4UNl7z?usid=QzfHeJ9u&signup=true&utm_campaign=share_activity_link
Kind Online Level 2: Online Microschool Pod Classes - Group learning to include Full Year curriculum for grades 1st to 8th. Please check out the listings below to find your fit.
Kind Online Level 3: 1:1 Tutoring Full Curriculum with a Kind Guide. Personalized to meet your learner's needs. Great for students with special needs & gifted learners who benefit from individual instruction to accelerate learning. You can find that one here:
https://outschool.com/classes/kind-and-engaging-personalized-11-tutoring-level-3-kind-online-Fnid895R
📚Core subjects including Hands-on Math & Language Arts
📚 Engaging Science Classes
📚 Diverse book lists from diverse voices
📚 STEM
📚 Social & Emotional Learning (SEL)
📚 Personal Finance including Cryptocurrency and Entrepreneurship
You can learn more about our proven curriculum by reaching out! It has been developed with current, research-backed methods and most importantly with the feedback from families in our schools! They love the hands-on and project-based learning opportunities so much that they forget they are even learning because they are having so much fun!
A note from our founder; Iman Alleyne
Thank you for taking the time to read through our profile. We hope you can join us on your learning journey. A little background about me I earned my Master's in School Counseling and my Bachelor's in Interdisciplinary Studies with a major in Education. My educational philosophy is one of using project-based learning as well as place-based education to enhance learning across subject matters. I am a strong believer in children having a choice and voice in how they learn and encourage self-directed learning among my students. I like to motivate my students using goal setting and playing educational games to keep learning fresh and fun.
I also have a passion for teaching history from an inclusive perspective. In college, I took my first African American History course. I had no idea how much had been missing from my education. I loved the content, but also realized this was information that should have been told to kids as young as preschool. So I set out to develop a curriculum that could embed the beauty, pains, struggles, joys, and amazing achievements ALL people.
I recently co-authored a book called African Americans: Why We Homeschool. I am also the author of How To Homeschool in Florida. I love helping families transition to homeschool so they can feel confident in their abilities as homeschool parents. Another book I am proud to have just released is Black History from a Decolonized Perspective: The Curriculum. This is great for homeschooling families and classrooms!
Our Team
Ms. Aisha is the Co-Director for Kind Academy Hybrid Program. She also teaches history, social studies, math, and life skills!
Ms. Aisha is the mother to two amazing daughters. She is also a certified K-6 Teacher. Her background is in radio and sports . She loves to make her lessons high energy , engaging and active! She enjoys nature and creating memories with her children. Her passions include sports, theater, health and nutrition, radio/podcasts , and dancing.
Mr. J teaches engineering, architecture, STEM, Cryptocurrencies & the Metaverse.
Mr. J, as his students call him, fell in love with carpentry during his first shop class in Middle School. For over 25 years he has learned all there is to know about woodwork, architecture, and interior design. He also teaches Art, 3D Rendering, and Lego Stop Motion Animation classes for homeschool students at our Kind Academy.
Teacher Danielle teaches writing, science, math, and STEM.
Hello! My name is Danielle. I have a Bachelors Degree in Education and Psychology. I also have a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership from Florida Atlantic University. I have more than 17 years of teaching experience. I am certified in Elementary Education, K-6, gifted, reading and ESOL. Teaching is my passion and I really enjoy helping children learn new and exciting things every day! My classes are fun and interactive - because when children love to learn, they can accomplish anything. I can't wait to meet your child in my class!
Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions!
Hope to see you soon!
Ms. Iman
Reviews
Live Group Class
$12
weekly1x per week
55 min
Completed by 8 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 7-12
3-12 learners per class