Mindful Brainiac Challenge

Created March 28, 2024 by Alice Cardoso

Mindful Brainiac Challenge

  • Teams:

1. Frontal Lobes

2. Parietal Lobes

3. Occipital Lobes

4. Temporal Lobes

Teams will be created with a mix of students from differing levels of knowledge/understanding and backgrounds, based on initial assessments made by teacher. Each student is assigned to a team that have been named according to the 4 brain lobes.  


  • Purpose:

The objective of the game is to obtain the highest number of points individually and within your teams. 

Students must demonstrate specific behaviors / thoughts / actions in order to obtain points. These are recorded by teachers, parents and peers. 

  • Rules:

Points are recorded using Class Dojo application. 

Points are awarded to individuals for individual behaviors and are scored as individual scores and scoring within teams.

Teachers collect points through from their own observations during class time and assignments:

  • Actions and behaviors demonstrated in class (participation, group work, group discussions, assignments, assessments, activities, blog, Canvas)

As well as collecting reports from other relevant people:

1. Students themselves: 

  • Self-reports sent to teacher describing what they did to earn points (e.g. describe a time when resolved conflict)
  • Screenshots of participation and progress on apps being used
  • Number of blog posts or participation on Canvas
  • Evidence of participation in social groups, activities, etc, inside and outside of school

2. Peers:

  • Students can nominate each other for points, showing evidence and/or reports on how/why their peers earned these points

3. Teachers from other Classes:

  • Teachers from other classes will be observing these behaviors and can award points to students
  • Course teacher will collect weekly points from other teachers via Class Dojo

4. Home:

  • Parents can participate on Class Dojo
  • Asked to send weekly or bi-weekly reports to teachers awarding points for behaviors demonstrated at home using the scoring on Class Dojo

Notes: 

  • Students will only be awarded positive points (i.e. no negative points/“punishment for bad behavior will be given)
  • Teachers must brief other teachers and parents on the game rules and specific guidance on how to look for evidence of each behavior
  • Teachers send out weekly emails to teachers and parents with scoring on ClassDojo to be filled out
  • Scoring

The following behaviors must be demonstrated for full points to be awarded across 3 levels of points. Points are divided into 3 categories based on the course units:

1. Cognitive and Metacognitive skills

2. Social and Emotional Intelligence

3. Mindfulness

Note: These behaviors can be demonstrated individually or when working in groups. They can be assigned to individuals or to teams:

 

Behaviors

Category

Points 

Demonstrate Empathy: 

-Seeing things from someone else’s perspective (putting aside your viewpoint)

-Being fully present when interacting with others (listen and give attentive feedback)

-Inquiry others’ thoughts, feelings, behaviors

-Challenge and question your own opinions and viewpoints

-Understand the needs of people around you

 1

3

Interact/Work with other people you have not before. Introduce yourself and show curiosity about getting to know them.

1 

1

Inspire mass action and social change: such as getting involved in social programs (e.g. school socials) or group activities and initiatives (e.g. reduce bullying)

 1

3

Deal and resolve interpersonal conflict effectively

 1

2

Motivate others when needed

 1

1

Support others in demonstrating positive and mindful behaviors

1 

1

Coach/support other students/friends with assignments or questions/clarifications

1 

2

Engage in think alouds

 2

2

Recognizing your strengths and weaknesses (e.g. in learning, at home, doing sports)

 2

3

Evidence of thinking through a problem or approach a learning task, selecting appropriate strategies, and make decisions about a course of action to resolve the problem or successfully perform the task

 2

3

Identifying blocks to learning and changing tools or strategies to ensure goal attainment

 2

3

Organize your thoughts and ideas:

  • Developing plans before action (e.g. assignments, approaching situations, resolving conflict, dealing with others) (e.g. graphic organizers)
  • Graphic organizers
  • Brainstorming ideas

 2

3

Keep track/monitor progress towards achieving a goal

 2

2

Using mind maps to explore and make connections between topics/concepts/ideas

 2

1

Demonstrate awareness that you have learned from a mistake by reflecting and correcting it

2 

2

Engage in self-reflection (e.g. blog posts, ‘metacognitive conversations with self’, discussions with others, twitter)

 2

3

Asking thoughtful and thought-provoking questions

2 

1

Use mnemonics to recall steps in a process

2 

1

Participating in class or online discussions

 2

2

Question yourself with no judgment: your behaviors, thoughts and feelings 

3 

1

Practicing Mindfulness meditation with or without the apps (e.g Smiling Mind, Headspace, Take a Break or other)

 3

3

Introducing mindfulness to your daily routines. Such as engaging in mindful walking, exercising, eating, body scanning, breathing, etc.

 3

3

Demonstrate THINK before speaking:

Is what I want to say True?

Is what I want to say Helpful?

Am I the best one to say it?

Is it necessary to say it Now?

Is it Kind to this person and others? 

 3

2

  • Badges: 

Different badges will be awarded for reaching different milestones of progress (measured by number of points). See examples designed by myself below:

Peaceful Brain.jpg


Badge Design
Emotional Brain.jpgBadge Design


Badge Design
Level 1 - Developing Brain.jpgBadge Design


  • Prizes for winners:
  1. First 5 students to get a Developing Brain Badge:

-20 minutes of free time to chose activity inside or outside classroom during class hours

    2. First 3 students to get the Emotional Brain Badge:

- Get extra 5 points each

    3. First 4 students to get the Curious Brain Badge:

-Get a “no homework” pass

   4. First person to get the Mindful Brain badge:

-Activity coupon of choice: movies, bowling or pool

-10 minutes extra time to complete weekly quizzes

-Congratulations note sent home

   5. First team to collectively reach 100 points: 

-30 minutes time to chose a game to play in class

-Congratulations note sent home

  6. Team with most badges: 

-Activity coupon of choice: movies, bowling or pool

-Surprise prize

-Award posted on school notice board

 7. Person with highest number of total points:

-Activity coupon of choice: movies, bowling or pool

-Surprise prize

-Award posted on school notice board


  • Tools

Using Class Dojo application tool: 

  • Register each student (who get a monster avatar).
  • Invite parents to join: they can see feedback and points, classroom photos/feed, and send/reply to messages to teacher.  
  • Create groups: Fontal, Parietal, Occipital and Temporal lobes.
  • Create different awards and points for each  behavior/skill demonstrated.
  • Generate weekly reports of group and individual progress.
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