At first I thought they would laugh and blow it off, but I was very wrong. Their interest in the badges was quite hilarious. We invented random badges like "Class Shhh-er" and "Winner Winner Chicken Dinner". They continually asked when the next badge was going to be up for grabs so I started using some that were a little more challenging. I used a badge called Coder to try to convince them to use coding for a class project. I did a SMASH badge for kids who app smashed a project.
The end of the year feedback was so positive, I knew I needed to continue this year with the badges. Here are mine so far - I printed this out and had kids use it to keep up with their badge collection on paper as well as in Schoology. I would love to know what badges you use and how you use them in your classes.
Yesterday I posted an update to Schoology 10 minutes before school was out to see if anyone wanted to earn their clean up badge by helping me take down a super messy lab we did. Eight kids showed up - EIGHT! I had six more reply and ask if there would be another opportunity for that badge because they had practice after school.
I love trying new things in the classroom and seeing kids engaged. As silly as most think badges are, it makes my kids laugh and get excited - so its totally worth it.
Special thanks to my friend Mrs. Perkins for the ideas on some of these badges! :)
