Games in the Classroom Part 3: Resources from Mind Sparks

I have spent time in pervious posts going over the MANY benefits of playing games in the classroom.  I sure hope that I have convinced some to get it a try! Ha!  

Don't forget that not all games are created equal and it is important to be selective when choosing a game.  Check out a great list of reflective questions you can ask yourself, by clicking here. 

Below you will find a collection of free and paid games that I use on a regular basis in my classroom. I hope you find something worth using!

Games in the Classroom Part 2: Challenges vs. Rewards

Game play is incredibly engaging and keeps kids excited about being apart of your classroom. 

What teacher doesn't want that, right?!?

BUT....playing games isn't always perfect, and there may be potential hurdles.  

However, if you allow yourself time to think through the possible challenges--overcoming obstacles will be easy.  

Potential Challenges

• Off task behavior
• Typically during games you won't have misconduct as games have a way of captivating students' attention.  If an off task behavior does arise--proximity does wonders!  Or, re-giving clear directions and re-modeling what game play should look like is another option. 
• "lack of" educational time
• Some in education think playing games wastes valuable educational time.  However--it is quite the contrary!  Game play is a perfect time to apply taught skills and let students learn and collaborate with one another.  
• Not healthy for self esteem 
• Yes, with some games there will be winners and losers.  Competition is everywhere in life, and we must teach our students how to work through the emotions of winning and losing.  There is no better space to teach students how to deal with victory and defeat than within the safety of our classroom.  Dialoguing about winning and losing should be done prior to game play and also with some reflective time after the game.  
• Prep time
• While it does take time to prepare educational games and explain them to students, once the students know the rules they are able to play for the rest of the year!  This makes center set-up a breeze!  

Okay--now that the challenges are out of the way...lets focus on the rewarding aspects of game play.   

Rewards

• Increased engagement
• Game play allows all students to be actively engaged--there isn't any hiding when you are playing a game. Plus game play appeals to a wide variety of learning styles.  
• Reinforcement of taught skills
• Students will apply what they just learned while playing!  This is instant gratification for students because they are using skills the learned right away. They will feel like rock stars!
• Application of soft skills
• Whenever students have an opportunity to work with a partner or group of students soft skills will be applied.  Game play most notably draws out cooperation and good sportsmanship.  During game play students will learn how to play fair, celebrate a win without bragging, how to lose a game with grace and cooperate with opponents.
• Formative data collection 
• While students are having fun--it is a great time to circle the classroom and collect informative data.  It is also a great opportunity to provide positive error correction and feedback to students. 
• Differentiation
• Games are easily adaptable to all levels of learners, and many games include ways to differentiate for students.  Games can also be played in any subject or content area. 
• Positive Classroom Environment
• Games are fun, and fun classrooms are a places where kids want to be!

Games in the Classroom

One of the goals I have as a teacher, is that students have fun while they are in my classroom.  Intervention is a sensitive subject, and when they are with me I want students to feel success--and be excited to be in my small group.  When my thirty minute time slot is over, I want kids to leave with a smile on their face and feel enthusiastic about their return the next day.

One of the main ways I keep it fun for students is through the use of learning games.  I absolutely LOVE using games during instructional time.  Students are able to apply taught skills, work on soft skills with peers, and I can monitor progress!. 

BUT....are all games created equal?  

There are many things to consider when selecting the right games to use in your classroom.  When you are choosing a game to play ask yourself the following questions:

1. Will this game be engaging and motivating? 
2. Will this game increase student's skills?
3. What previously taught content is included?  
4. Will every student be able to participate?

Another important thing to note is that teachers should spend time debriefing once game play is over.  We often rush to get kids to clean up the materials and get back to their seats so we can move on to the next subject.  BUT....take a few moments and have students reflect.  By giving students the following questions to ponder, you are allowing students time to make sense of the learning experience and grow.  

1. Was anything difficult for you while you were playing?
2. Was anything easy for you while you were playing?
3. How did this game help you?
4. If you could play this game over, what would you do differently?

If you want more advice, take a moment to read "Ways to Use Games Effectively In the Classroom", which was published in EdWeek.  The article's author interviewed several seasoned teachers who use game play as apart of their regular instructional routines. Lots of great advice!

Spend Time Looking Backwards

When the school year is over, So. Are. Teachers.  

We are tired. Exhausted. Drained. Physically, emotionally and mentally spent. 

We are so excited to turn off that alarm. Stay in comfy clothes.  Eat a meal that lasts longer than 10 minutes without being interrupted.  Use the bathroom whenever we want. 

BUT....

The perfect time for reflection is right before you leave for summer break.  I know it is tempting to not spend one more moment thinking about school, however there is SO MUCH power in looking backwards and reflecting on your school year.

It is proven that we learn from processing through our own experiences.  When we stop and spend time thinking about the academic year, we grow and develop professionally.  Insights, celebrations, frustrations and goals come with reflection.

Thus, I urge to take a few minutes to reflect, perhaps even jot down the answers to the following questions.  Even better yet....have a conversation with a colleague, administrator or coach!  If we hold conversations with others are reflections are amplified.

How did your school year go? 

Why was it so?

How did you grow?

How will it show?

I recently sat down with my building administrator to reflect on my year.  Although he didn't ask me the above questions, he did ask me to tell him one celebration, one frustration and one goal.  I very much valued the time I was able to spend talking about my year, and it allowed me to contemplate changes I want to make for next year. 

So before you turn off those lights and walk out the door, give yourself a moment to contemplate.  Trust me--it will be worth it!