Week One:  We'll get organized as a group and I'll explain how the game works... however, I strongly believe that the fun in such things is to explore and discover with a group.  While I'll have a character in game and helping out, I'm not going to lead - that's up to you and your group.  Decide what to build, where to go, what to do!  How to perish with style!

Week Two:  Building upon what we now know about the game, we'll launch out into even greater exploration.  (And, knowing what I now know about our group, I may pair you off with a new friend and send you on a mission.  Anything can happen, so stay frosty!)  It's often at this point where friendships begin to form, and where we start and finish the class in uncontrollable laughter.  The game itself is a riot of silliness and humor, but it's how we all react to it that sets the tone to the class.  We'll focus on preparing for the changing of the seasons... winter is coming!

Week Three:  We'll begin the construction of a base... a home all of our own!  We'll need farmers and hunters, we'll need builders and gatherers, we'll need heroes and adventurers!  (And if any part of that sounds fun, yeah... you belong in this class.)  This is where the communication and teamwork really shine - everyone will have to work together to prepare for the winter, just days away.  If we don't have enough food, we will... yep... starve.

Week Four:  Winter is here!  And with winter comes all manner of difficulty.  You thought it was tough when we could just pick berries off of the bushes, well I hope that the group has discovered a way to preserve enough food for the cold dark months.  This is where it all really comes together - can we do it?  Can we make it to the Spring?  Can we all keep our bellies full and stay sane?  Only your ability to function together as a team, to communicate, plan ahead, and generally roll with the punches will decide our fate.

I have more than a decade of teaching experience, the majority of which was spent as an instructor in a lock-down rehabilitation facility for at-risk children (translated: gang kids who were struggling with substance abuse).  This allowed me to teach a wide variety of subjects, from second grade reading to college level physics, often in the same day in order to meet the needs of my students. 

My emphasis throughout was teamwork, discipline, leadership, and problem solving - as these form the braided cord that carries all through our lives.  My formal education is centered around a masters degree in elementary education, and another in special education - with a bachelors in philosophy and a minor in glass art... yes, that's right.  Glass.  Art.  My mother was thrilled when I told her about that one.  

Additionally, this class is an extension of a variant that I ran successfully a decade ago at the aforementioned rehabilitation facility.  It was a resounding success, showing marked improvement in both student scores on their academic work and vast improvement in their social disposition.  Students from across the spectrum participated on a voluntary basis, and the results were astounding.  Clearly, I think a great deal about the potential of this type of program... but when something works for kids, I'm all in.