Have any of you ever wanted to have a super-power? The ability to fly, say, or perhaps the power of invisibility? What about shapeshifting? I’ve always wanted the ability to time-travel. I like to believe that if I could travel back in time I might be able to tackle some of today’s troubles before they even began. Since few modern problems are truly new, with the power of time-travel I could at the very least go back to gather the wisdom of the ancients and, with their accomplishments and deeds as inspiration, I would return to make our world a better place.
Who knows, with continued advances in technology, time-travel may soon become a reality. To prepare myself for the moment when I can sit atop Palatine Hill and watch Rome rise along the banks of the Tiber River or sit with Marco Polo at the court of Kublai Khan, to meditate with the Buddha, or walk the steps of the acropolis to dedicate the Parthenon to Athena, I am going to continue to study the ancient world with you, my 5th grade students.
Who knows, with continued advances in technology, time-travel may soon become a reality. To prepare myself for the moment when I can sit atop Palatine Hill and watch Rome rise along the banks of the Tiber River or sit with Marco Polo at the court of Kublai Khan, to meditate with the Buddha, or walk the steps of the acropolis to dedicate the Parthenon to Athena, I am going to continue to study the ancient world with you, my 5th grade students.
While we wait for our time machine to be delivered, we will, with wit and much daring-do, build our skills and increase our powers by playing a little game I call the “Game of Chrons.” (Yes, derived from the Greek word meaning time, it rhymes with “thrones.”)
In the Game of Chrons you will complete quests to unlock “Experience Points” (XP). Because you can always go on a “Treasure Quest,” those quests can be especially rewarding. You can also unlock “Action Points” (AP) by doing amazing things and demonstrating Heroic Traits that include deeds of valor and deeds of kindness. Not only do APs help you move up in your level of play, they can also be used as currency to purchase Powers and Privileges from the Game’s store. Together, your XP and AP give you access to status, power, and privilege.
In the Game of Chrons you will complete quests to unlock “Experience Points” (XP). Because you can always go on a “Treasure Quest,” those quests can be especially rewarding. You can also unlock “Action Points” (AP) by doing amazing things and demonstrating Heroic Traits that include deeds of valor and deeds of kindness. Not only do APs help you move up in your level of play, they can also be used as currency to purchase Powers and Privileges from the Game’s store. Together, your XP and AP give you access to status, power, and privilege.
XP - Experience Points
Agents (players) in the Game of Chrons unlock XP by completing quests. Quests take the following forms:
When students do amazing things or display Heroic Traits they unlock Action Points. In other words, you earn AP by being awesome. You can think of AP as a measure of the value you add to the classroom. Because of that, AP determines your Level of play.
In addition, AP gives you access to Powers and Privileges that you might not ordinarily have. For instance, reaching a set Level of play might earn you additional Power over your own actions or the actions of others. Privileges include things like the opportunity to work in the hallway.
Agents (players) in the Game of Chrons unlock XP by completing quests. Quests take the following forms:
- Epic Quests (Projects & Tutorials): 1000 XP
- Heroic Quests (Unit Lessons & Activities and additional Current Events work): 100-500XP
- Side Quests (Classwork and Homework): 300XP
- Social Quests (Classroom Participation): 400XP
- Skill Quests (Quizzes and Tests): 100-300XP
- Treasure Quests (Lesson Tutorials): 1200XP
When students do amazing things or display Heroic Traits they unlock Action Points. In other words, you earn AP by being awesome. You can think of AP as a measure of the value you add to the classroom. Because of that, AP determines your Level of play.
In addition, AP gives you access to Powers and Privileges that you might not ordinarily have. For instance, reaching a set Level of play might earn you additional Power over your own actions or the actions of others. Privileges include things like the opportunity to work in the hallway.
Community Leaderboards
In the Game of Chrons, just like in life, you belong to several communities. Within those communities you work as an independent Agent earning XP and AP. However, your actions can also help other Agents in your communities earn additional AP. Together, your XP and AP determine your Power Rankings in the Game of Chrons. Power Rankings are displayed on the Leaderboards and the Leaderboards are updated regularly. Game of Chrons communities include:
In the Game of Chrons, just like in life, you belong to several communities. Within those communities you work as an independent Agent earning XP and AP. However, your actions can also help other Agents in your communities earn additional AP. Together, your XP and AP determine your Power Rankings in the Game of Chrons. Power Rankings are displayed on the Leaderboards and the Leaderboards are updated regularly. Game of Chrons communities include:
- CFA 6th Grade
- Social Studies Class Period
- Guilds (Up to five Agents may form an alliance and create a Guild. Those five allies do not need to be from the same social studies class period. Membership in the Guild must be mutually agreed upon.)
Unlocking AP:
Perks
In addition to unlocking AP through Heroic deeds of valor and kindness, when an individual student hits a milestone, the whole Block acquires a perk. Ex: When one person reaches 10,000XP, the whole class receives a 10% XP Booster on their next Quest.
You can also gain smaller perks for simply doing the things that we all expect of 6th grade Agents. For instance, when a student shows up to class on time, they will receive 10AP. When their entire Guild shows up on time, they will earn 25AP. If the entire class shows up on time, all students will earn 50AP.
Remember, the AP you unlock can be used as currency in the Game of Chrons store.
Perks
In addition to unlocking AP through Heroic deeds of valor and kindness, when an individual student hits a milestone, the whole Block acquires a perk. Ex: When one person reaches 10,000XP, the whole class receives a 10% XP Booster on their next Quest.
You can also gain smaller perks for simply doing the things that we all expect of 6th grade Agents. For instance, when a student shows up to class on time, they will receive 10AP. When their entire Guild shows up on time, they will earn 25AP. If the entire class shows up on time, all students will earn 50AP.
Remember, the AP you unlock can be used as currency in the Game of Chrons store.
Game of Chrons Store
Power
Cloak of Invisibility!* - 50AP Twice per trimester you can purchase a Cloak of Invisibility. Your Cloak of Invisibility gives you the power to enter the class in stealth mode when you are late. The penalty for being late to class is 200AP. With your Cloak of Invisibility you have a 150 AP advantage but, again, you may only use a Cloak of Invisibility twice per trimester.
*This Item is an automatic purchase.
Raid! - 100AP For a Raid to take place, all members of the Raid Party must agree to take part in the Raid. Once an agreement has been reached, if all Agents earn an “A” on their Quest then each member of the Raid Party will be rewarded 300AP. If, however, all Agents do not earn an “A” then each Agent in the Raid Party will pay a penalty of 500AP.
Slander - 1000AP Slander allows one Guild to change another Guild’s name. Your Guild may choose to divide the cost to purchase this power among Guild members any way you please, including having one Guild member pay the entire cost. Beware the costs of Slander wars and use this power wisely.
Misnomer - 2000AP You have to buy Misnomer from the Game of Chrons Shop if your Guild is Slandered and you want to change your Guild’s name back. That’s right, buying back your Guild’s name costs more than Slander so, again, beware those whom you make your enemies.
Purge - 1AP/1XP The Game of Chrons Leaderboard yields results in several categories: Individual, Levels, Blocks, and Guilds. Similar to Slander, by purchasing Purge, Guilds and Blocks have the ability to take away a Guild or Block’s XP, thereby knocking that Guild or Block down in the standings. Purge, however, does not affect an Agent’s Individual XP.
Forgiveness - 10AP/1% Late Homework receives a 10% penalty. If Agents have earned enough AP by performing Heroic deeds during the trimester, they have earned the right to avoid this penalty. All Agents may remove late penalties by buying Forgiveness.
XP Booster - 100 AP An Agent can purchase an XP Booster on any assignment throughout the trimester. An XP Booster gives the Agent a 10% boost on any assignment. However the XP Booster cannot put the Agent’s score over the total points that the assignment is worth. In order to move up the XP leaderboard, an Agent can choose to spend all of their AP on XP Boosters if they want.
Power
Cloak of Invisibility!* - 50AP Twice per trimester you can purchase a Cloak of Invisibility. Your Cloak of Invisibility gives you the power to enter the class in stealth mode when you are late. The penalty for being late to class is 200AP. With your Cloak of Invisibility you have a 150 AP advantage but, again, you may only use a Cloak of Invisibility twice per trimester.
*This Item is an automatic purchase.
Raid! - 100AP For a Raid to take place, all members of the Raid Party must agree to take part in the Raid. Once an agreement has been reached, if all Agents earn an “A” on their Quest then each member of the Raid Party will be rewarded 300AP. If, however, all Agents do not earn an “A” then each Agent in the Raid Party will pay a penalty of 500AP.
Slander - 1000AP Slander allows one Guild to change another Guild’s name. Your Guild may choose to divide the cost to purchase this power among Guild members any way you please, including having one Guild member pay the entire cost. Beware the costs of Slander wars and use this power wisely.
Misnomer - 2000AP You have to buy Misnomer from the Game of Chrons Shop if your Guild is Slandered and you want to change your Guild’s name back. That’s right, buying back your Guild’s name costs more than Slander so, again, beware those whom you make your enemies.
Purge - 1AP/1XP The Game of Chrons Leaderboard yields results in several categories: Individual, Levels, Blocks, and Guilds. Similar to Slander, by purchasing Purge, Guilds and Blocks have the ability to take away a Guild or Block’s XP, thereby knocking that Guild or Block down in the standings. Purge, however, does not affect an Agent’s Individual XP.
Forgiveness - 10AP/1% Late Homework receives a 10% penalty. If Agents have earned enough AP by performing Heroic deeds during the trimester, they have earned the right to avoid this penalty. All Agents may remove late penalties by buying Forgiveness.
XP Booster - 100 AP An Agent can purchase an XP Booster on any assignment throughout the trimester. An XP Booster gives the Agent a 10% boost on any assignment. However the XP Booster cannot put the Agent’s score over the total points that the assignment is worth. In order to move up the XP leaderboard, an Agent can choose to spend all of their AP on XP Boosters if they want.
Privilege
School Supplies - 50AP One of your very important 5th Grade classroom expectations is that you come to class prepared for success. That means having your school supplies with you. I will grant you the privilege to borrow paper, writing tools, highlighters, or other school supplies from me but it will cost you.
Breaks between classes, including mid-block breaks during Double Blocks is your time to use the restroom, get a drink of water, and get supplies from your locker. Sometimes, however, we forget. That is natural. Just like when an adult forgets to pay their bills on time, they end up paying a bit more. The same happens in the Game of Chrons. However, in a demonstration of his benevolence, your time-traveling teacher will grant three free passes per trimester for each of the following privileges. After Agents have used up their free passes, penalties will be assessed and automatically deducted from their AP total.
Water Slide - 50AP Forgot your water bottle? That’s not a problem as long as you have the AP to cover the cost of a trip to the water fountain during class time.
Locker Lark - 50AP Forgot supplies or assignments in your locker. That happens. If you need to leave the room during class time, for a few AP you will be granted access to your locker.
Restroom Reprieve - 50AP Didn’t use the restroom during Break? Not a problem. Not as long as you have AP to spare. However, it will be noted that it is never my intention to make someone suffer, so this one is at my discretion.
School Supplies - 50AP One of your very important 5th Grade classroom expectations is that you come to class prepared for success. That means having your school supplies with you. I will grant you the privilege to borrow paper, writing tools, highlighters, or other school supplies from me but it will cost you.
Breaks between classes, including mid-block breaks during Double Blocks is your time to use the restroom, get a drink of water, and get supplies from your locker. Sometimes, however, we forget. That is natural. Just like when an adult forgets to pay their bills on time, they end up paying a bit more. The same happens in the Game of Chrons. However, in a demonstration of his benevolence, your time-traveling teacher will grant three free passes per trimester for each of the following privileges. After Agents have used up their free passes, penalties will be assessed and automatically deducted from their AP total.
Water Slide - 50AP Forgot your water bottle? That’s not a problem as long as you have the AP to cover the cost of a trip to the water fountain during class time.
Locker Lark - 50AP Forgot supplies or assignments in your locker. That happens. If you need to leave the room during class time, for a few AP you will be granted access to your locker.
Restroom Reprieve - 50AP Didn’t use the restroom during Break? Not a problem. Not as long as you have AP to spare. However, it will be noted that it is never my intention to make someone suffer, so this one is at my discretion.
Some privileges come without penalties. These are privileges that you choose to purchase in the Game of Chrons store. You work hard for your AP, why not reap the rewards of your Heroic acts? After an Agent has earned 1000 Action Points, they unlock privileges not available to all Agents. Two of those privileges are listed below.
Take a Hall-a-day! and work outside the classroom - 150 AP For your hard work performing heroic deeds, you deserve a break. Take a holiday. The Hall-a-day is a Hall Pass. It grants you the privilege to work in the Hall during class.
Listener’s Choice - 150 AP per 30 minutes As a rule, 6th grade students may not listen to music while working. While no headphones will be allowed, this privilege gives you the ability to choose the music played in the classroom. (I may invoke my privilege here if the choice purchased is not suitable to the classroom. In that case, I will return some of your AP. Choose wisely and with sensitivity.)
Comfort and Joy - 150 AP For a day - and the pittance price of 150 Action Points, You can enjoy the comfort and joy of sitting in one of my thrones for a class period.
Your suggestions for additional privileges can help build the Game of Chrons. If you have a privilege you would like to try out, please email me your thoughts.
Take a Hall-a-day! and work outside the classroom - 150 AP For your hard work performing heroic deeds, you deserve a break. Take a holiday. The Hall-a-day is a Hall Pass. It grants you the privilege to work in the Hall during class.
Listener’s Choice - 150 AP per 30 minutes As a rule, 6th grade students may not listen to music while working. While no headphones will be allowed, this privilege gives you the ability to choose the music played in the classroom. (I may invoke my privilege here if the choice purchased is not suitable to the classroom. In that case, I will return some of your AP. Choose wisely and with sensitivity.)
Comfort and Joy - 150 AP For a day - and the pittance price of 150 Action Points, You can enjoy the comfort and joy of sitting in one of my thrones for a class period.
Your suggestions for additional privileges can help build the Game of Chrons. If you have a privilege you would like to try out, please email me your thoughts.