Video Game Special

Mrs. Baker's Game:

To start off our video game special edition, I wanted to share a game a my family and I created using Scratch. This is a fantastic site where you can write and develop games that you can share with others. If you think that you may be interested in creating video games, you should check it out! Our game is called Rats on the Run in NYC! The object of the game is to trap as many rats running around New York City as you can in 60 seconds. To catch a rat, you cover it with the red box and press the space button. You get a point for every rat you catch. This website is a great way to learn how to create and program games. Check out my game below.

Video Game Survey:

Earlier this week, I gave each of you a survey asking questions about video games. The top 3 most commonly played games that were recommended for your age group by your fellow classmates are listed below.

1. One of the most played games is Minecraft. It is rated E 10+ so it is recommended for everyone ages 10 and up. Many students stated that they prefer to play on the Xbox because there are more options available in that format as opposed to a portable device, but many of you spend a considerable amount of time playing Minecraft on your phone when you are not at home. In Minecraft, a player can play in survival mode or creative mode. While playing in survival, students must build shelter, find food, and protect themselves from enemy creatures. While playing in creative mode, everything needed for survival is provided, so the player can simply explore, build, and create. This game is great for learning about agriculture and architecture. More information about Minecraft can be located at https://minecraft.net/. 
2. Another popular game is SimCity. This game is recommended for everyone ages 10 and up and is available in a variety of formats including Xbox, PlayStation, PC and many students also play the game on their phone. In this game the player acts as the mayor and must develop a city while maintaining a budget. The player must consider zoning requirements while providing citizens with education, health care, parks, electricity, and water supply. This game has incredible educational benefits to the students in subjects such as civics, math, science, and economics. For more information about this game please visit http://www.simcity.com/.
3. Thinking about playing a sport? Playing a video game about sports is a great way to learn the rules of the sport. A popular game with my students is the NBA 2K series. Specifically, my students recommended the newest in the series, NBA 2K15, which is the 16th installment. It was released in October 2014 for Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4. Later in the year, myNBA2K15 was released for apps on the Android and iPhone. In this game, players are able to play basketball games with and against their favorite professional basketball players. For more information about this game, visit https://www.2k.com/games/nba-2k15.   

Fun Friday with Minecraft:

In celebration of a successful FSA, we celebrated with a Minecraft extravaganza last Friday. I learned so much from each of you who spent time teaching me a game that many of you love! Below is a presentation about my experience playing and learning Minecraft. I am so thankful for each of you and your generous and helping hearts.