Teacher turns lessons into ‘Games'

KINGS MOUNTAIN, N.C. — Three. Two. One.

Go!

The Kings Mountain High School students were off – dashing to the front of the classroom for their first task in a Hunger Games-themed challenge. They ripped open envelopes and quickly read the instructions inside before racing back to their waiting “districts.”

It wasn’t quite a fight to the death like in Suzanne Collins’ best-selling novel, “The Hunger Games.” Instead, it was a fight to score well on the students’ upcoming End of Course exam.

English teacher Amber Nichols, a self-proclaimed “Hunger Games” fanatic, liked how the book teaches the importance of hard work and teamwork. She thought it would be great way to spice up an otherwise boring grammar lesson and get her students excited about learning.

“It’s a way (students) can help each other,” Nichols said. “It’s amazing how much they motivate each other. … I always want to do something to engage my students.”

Nichols randomly divided her English class students into “districts” – which is how people are divided in “The Hunger Games” post-apocalyptic North America. Each student has a role in their district, and they work together to earn points for their group.

Correct answers on grammar questions, punctuality and good behavior earn students points. The district with the most points wins a prize.

“I look forward to this class every day,” said student Carolina Hardin, 15. She’s in the middle of reading the first book in the series.

Character brought to life

Wednesday’s “Hunger Games” required the districts to complete a series of seven tasks. Each task incorporated a subject or skill the students might see on their End of Course exam. They worked in teams to answer questions about parts of speech, vocabulary words and protagonists from reading assignments.

Nichols’ classroom is filled with “Hunger Games” posters, decorations, drawings and memorabilia. Nichols, wearing a bright pink blazer, large headpiece and over-the-top eye makeup, even dressed as book character Effie Trinkett.

“If it’ll get students reading – that’s what I like about it,” Nichols said. “(The book) just sucks you in.”

Nichols said many of her students read the book and are now eagerly awaiting Friday’s movie premiere. Nichols will be at the midnight screening, she said.

Students huddled together in their districts Wednesday, quickly answering Nichols’ questions. The competition wasn’t finished until all students submitted correct answers and cleaned their district. Fist place winners earned their districts 100 points.

“I think this helped us not only with grammar,” said 14-year-old Jacob Edmondson. “It helped with team work.”

The in-class “Hunger Games” competition will continue in Nichols’ class for another week.

Citing the“Hunger Games” slogan, Nichols told her students that Wednesday’s “Hunger Games” were another opportunity for students to prepare for their upcoming exams.

“May the odds be ever in your favor,” she said.

WSOC