Lesson additions:

1. We will be adding 3 media connections, found under Teacher Resources on MyGrapple.com. Media connections are recommended movie clips that will act as discussion starters. You will still be provided with the 3 discussion-starter videos on the DVD. So this means that you will have six lessons with a video starter. The movie clips aren't provided on the DVD, you will need to rent the video for your class.  
2. Bible Backgrounds! On MyGrapple.com, in the Plan lessons area, you will be able to view & download what we are calling a "Bible Basis" for each lesson. We heard a lot of feedback about wanting Bible Backgrounds, but because Grapple preteen doesn't focus on just one Bible story/passage each week, we are giving you a foundation of why we chose the particular verses to teach the Bible point each week.
3. Teacher Tips! On MyGrapple.com, under Teacher Resources, you will find six teacher tips each quarter.
4. Scripture references for the Grapple Clues will be provided in the Grapple Guide along with the sample answers in the Grapple Clues area for each lesson.

Online additions:

1. Teachers will have the ability to view & download the videos from the DVD in the Plan lessons area.
2. Teachers will have the ability to manage the in-class game polls. We will pre-load the in-class games assigned for that week, but the teacher has the ability to go in and change them if there is a game that doesn't work for their class, as well as add games that you like to play that aren't included in Grapple.
3. Teachers will have the ability to manage the computer games. Again, we will pre-load computer games, but if the kids get bored with the games, or if they just don't like them, the teacher will have a library of games to pick from and can change them out.
4. The biggest addition is a class page. This page is separate from the Grapple home page where they get the Grapple clues, play games, etc. The class page is where:
1. A New forum will introduced for student communication. They will have more flexibility to choose font colors, size, & style, and speed issues will be eliminated.
2. Students can create their own nickname, and select an avatar!! This means they will be recognized on the forums with these attributes rather than their login name.
3. Students will be able to see who else is online!
4. Students will have the ability to request calendar items & announcements to be added to the calendar and announcements area. The requests will be approved by the teacher prior to being posted.
5. Picture viewing area for the students. Teacher can upload photos on the Manage MyGrapple page to be viewed here.
6. Students can send a private message to their teacher. This is so that they don't have to post it on the forum for everyone to see. This is especially helpful to students who are having problems, but don't quite know how to tell their leader in person. This is a one-way communication so the teacher can call the student to talk.

Teacher Flexibility

We have also made MyGrapple.com a lot more flexible and customizable for the teacher. To name a few new enhancements here, teachers can assign new student passwords, modify student nicknames, deactivate a student login if a student has abused their privileges, add new forum topics, and more!

About the website-love it--love the enhancements, but I promised one of my 5th grade boys I would ask you about the possilibity of adding music to the site?  Like Switchfoot, Newsboys, Toby Mac, etc.  With Hanana Montana being such the rage, would love to have my students listening to Christian music whenever possible.

Also, how about a drawing board?  Kids could draw pictures and post them?  Our kids have been so good with all of their posts and messages would love to see some of these features if possible.

As for your questions. Music is something we have talked about, but it won't be included in Grapple this next year. We aren't saying that it won't ever be added, but the capability to upload music is something we still have to research and delve into the world of copyright law, etc.

As for drawings. With the Jr. High edition of Grapple, we will have a viewing section for a Group created web site called Rough Edit. Kids won't actually be able to upload drawings, photos, etc to Grapple, but they can upload them to Rough Edit for the chance to view them on MyGrapple.com. www.group.com/roughedit is coming very soon, so keep your eye out.

Melissa Towers