Teachers First - Thinking Teachers Teaching Thinkers

Create learning games with the AI-based Learning Game Generator for any topic or grade level. Begin by adding vital information, including grade level, learning outcome or objective, and the game's length. The Game Generator provides a document with instructions for playing the game, any required materials, and setup instructions. Use the provided tools to request changes to create a game that works for your classroom. Copy or download the document using the Manage Content Dropbox options when satisfied.
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tag(s): artificial intelligence (187), assessment (146), Formative Assessment (73), game based learning (206), gamification (86), Teacher Utilities (202)

Teach Your Monster is an engaging educational website that helps young children develop literacy, math, and healthy eating habits through interactive games. It features Teach Your Monster to Read (covering phonics, letter recognition, word blending, and early reading comprehension), Teach Your Monster Reading for Fun (encouraging independent reading through a story-rich adventure where players explore a magical island and complete book-themed quests), Teach Your Monster Number Skills (focused on counting, number recognition, and basic math concepts), and Teach Your Monster Adventurous Eating (promoting healthy eating habits through fun challenges). Designed by educators, the platform aligns with early learning curriculums and provides teachers with tools to track student progress. It's free to use on computers, though the app requires a purchase, making it a valuable supplement for classroom instruction.

tag(s): game based learning (206), literacy (121), phonics (52)

The Topmarks Learning to Read webpage offers interactive English games designed to support early reading development for children aged 5-7. These free, engaging activities cover essential literacy skills such as phonics, word recognition, spelling, and sentence building. The games are visually appealing and easy to navigate, making them ideal for classroom or at-home practice. Teachers can use this resource to reinforce foundational reading skills, differentiate instruction, and provide fun, interactive opportunities for students to practice independently or in small groups. It's an excellent tool for fostering early literacy in an engaging way.
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tag(s): game based learning (206), literacy (121), phonics (52), preK (289)

Groovelit shares several interactive writing and literacy games. Games focus on narrative writing, language use, and persuasive writing. The scoring provides points as students complete a writing activity using sensory language, dialogue, and more, while teachers view student scores in real-time. Groovelit uses AI to generate stories based on teacher input on the skill and content focus and suggests ideas for the type of game to create. Choose the customize option to select a game and personalize options for scoring and length of the game. Students join the game by visiting the provided link and using the custom code.

tag(s): artificial intelligence (187), creative writing (126), persuasive writing (58), vocabulary development (95), writing (325)

The Big Fib Podcast encourages kids to separate accurate information from falsehood by listening to an interview with two participants in a game show format. The participants are known experts and liars. Recent podcasts include kid-friendly topics such as whales, bicycles, and laughter. Several educational guides are available for download, including a Listening Guide for prelistening, an Explore Board for use before and while listening, and a Choice Board for after listening activities. An additional document includes correlations between reading and literature standards and speaking and listening standards.
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tag(s): game based learning (206), media literacy (113), podcasts (116)

Twinkl, reviewed here is a website that provides educational resources for teachers and parents. They have partnered with Sony Pictures Entertainment to create Spider-Man (C) activities that take children on a fun journey through the Spider-Verse as they learn and play alongside well-loved characters Spider-Man, (C) and Spider-Gwen, (C) A free membership is required to download these resources.
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tag(s): comics and cartoons (56), creative writing (126), game based learning (206), interactive stories (22), writing (325), writing prompts (60)

K20 Games offers over a dozen games encouraging critical thinking skills through game-based learning. Games place students in the role of decision-makers in real-world situations. Examples of games include Aware, which puts the student as an emergency manager in a region plagued with emergency disasters, and Paper Trail. This game asks students to consider how to behave in a morally corrupt business community. To access the games as an educator, select the Request Games link and complete the required information to receive an invitation code. Receipt of the code typically takes 24-48 hours. After receiving the code, follow the directions in your email response to create an account. Create a class, then select games to assign to your students. Each selected game includes teaching materials and a sample lesson plan. Share the provided invitation key with students to access and play games.

tag(s): bias (28), business (54), careers (182), data (150), evolution (88), financial literacy (95), functions (52), game based learning (206), media literacy (113), organizational skills (88), psychology (65), statistics (121), weather (160)

Experiment and interact with music and music theory through the many different games shared on this site. Play a virtual trombone, try playing a song with Rhythm Race, or test your knowledge with Song Trivia. Select any game from the thumbnail offerings to begin. Some games include tutorial activities and options for multiplayer games. Some games direct players toward other sites; check before sharing with students.
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tag(s): game based learning (206), musical instruments (54), rhythm (22), trivia (18)

Solving problems using logic is an excellent way to improve brain function and cognition; this compilation of logic games provides you with many different activities. In addition, each of the activities features different methods for engagement. For example, Gold Train FRVR (use the search bar to find) requires players to build train tracks to avoid obstacles as they work toward the final destination. At the same time, Happy Glass (use the search bar to find) includes progressively more complex challenges for players to fill a glass without spilling the water. Hover over the thumbnail for each game to view the title and select to play.
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tag(s): game based learning (206), logic (160), problem solving (234), puzzles (149)

Science Games shares several interesting science games that cover many topics. For example, discover the scale of the universe, interact with a skeleton simulator, or scope out the solar system, among other activities. Hover over the thumbnails to view the titles of the games, then click on your choice to access the activity. Game-play is different for each activity; some are interactive, while others are more typical games that earn points for the players.
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tag(s): body systems (40), earth (182), game based learning (206), human body (91), mitosis (9), planets (113), solar system (108), space (220)

Explore your creative side with the many kinds of music and art-themed games offered on this site. Doodle, practice drawing, or create a bonsai tree using options for colors and size of your tree. Hover over any of the thumbnails to see the game title, then select to access and play. Some games take players offsite; previewing games before sharing them with students is always suggested.
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tag(s): artists (87), colors (63), drawing (62), game based learning (206), gamification (86), trivia (18)

Math Games offers a variety of unique games to practice math concepts using problem-solving and logic. These are not your ordinary skill and drill games, but they involve challenging players to explore how to manipulate numbers in new ways. For example, the game of Miniaturization (type into search bar) asks players to reduce the size of cargo items to fit more units into a shipping container efficiently. Other games involve addition and number puzzle activities.
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tag(s): addition (127), coordinates (15), equations (119), game based learning (206), logic (160), multiplication (120), number sense (68), problem solving (234), time (91)

Engage and enhance students' civic and social-emotional learning (SEL) using simulations by iThrive Sim. The simulations are for high school students in social studies, history, and humanities classes. The digital simulations are designed to support student-driven learning, and the storyline is determined by the actions students take together. The page includes links to three learning scenarios where teachers can preview the game. Registration with a school email address is required to play. The resources on this site are designed for high school students.

tag(s): collaboration (94), flipped learning (9), game based learning (206), Online Learning (36), simulations (23), social and emotional learning (110)

How do you teach students to understand and build resilience against misinformation? Try using this game created by George Mason University scientist John Cook which uses cartoon personifications of climate science denials. The game is available to play on any browser or download the app from the Apple Store or Google Play. By teaching how others use fake experts and cherry-picking information to spread disinformation, this game engages players as they employ critical thinking skills to build points and learn how to separate fact from myth. The Teacher's Guide features all you need to know to understand how to set up the game for your class, the basic premise and information found in the game, and classroom activities that accompany the game's features.

tag(s): DAT device agnostic tool (146), digital citizenship (93), evaluating sources (30), game based learning (206), internet safety (116), media literacy (113), social media (50)

The Pack is an open-world game based in Algos, a place where healthy ecosystems are no longer in place, and the player is responsible for assessing the needs to fix the environment. Each new game begins in a unique world and encourages players to use computational thinking skills and an understanding of environmental awareness. Follow the included Teacher-Guide to find ideas and strategies for classroom use. Download the tips and tricks guide and watch the introductory video to learn more about The Pack. Use the download links to download to a Mac, Windows system, or access the app available at the iTunes Store.

tag(s): animals (293), ecology (105), ecosystems (85), environment (251), game based learning (206), plants (148)

Clever Crazes for Kids is a kid-friendly website devoted to sharing education enrichment resources aligned to state and Common Core Standards. This site features game-based learning activities based upon STREAM (Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) concepts and content. Additional activities provide foundations in English language learning skills for ENL/ESL students. Play games as a guest or create a free account to save favorites and earn points. Download the Toolkit for Educators (PDF) to find an overview of the site's offerings and suggested curriculum uses.

tag(s): game based learning (206), multilingual (78), preK (289), STEM (310)

PBS Kids' focus is mainly educational activities and videos for kids in Preschool, Kindergarten, and Primary age students. Click on the jumping basket to see their new feature Groovin' with Acoustic Rooster. For younger students, select games, videos, and activities about well-known characters like Arthur, Clifford the Big Red Dog, Ruff Ruffman, Peg and Cat, Dr. Seuss, and more. Clicking All Games will give you 29 categories to choose from, for example, Team Work, Feelings, Engineering, Spelling, Reading, Healthy Habits, and many more. Click New Games to find topics such as Guess the Feeling, World Orchestra, and others to help familiarize youngsters with flight, trains, counting, and well, you name it, and PBS Kids probably has it!

tag(s): DAT device agnostic tool (146), game based learning (206), literacy (121), preK (289), video (267)

SplashLearn is a game-based math and ELA curriculum for students in grades pre-K-5. In addition, SplashLearn offers several general knowledge Games, Playsheets, Decodable Books, and Bedtime Stories that incorporate science, social studies, and the arts. SplashLearn adapts the learning paths as students play games to fit individual student responses and interactions within the elementary curriculum. Use the teacher dashboard to manage classes and add students. Other features allow educators to assign material to individual students, add required assessments, and enable home access using parents' email addresses. The site's themes and rewards motivate student learning; students earn coins to purchase virtual pets. Note: This tool is now free for teachers for the premium version and complete access to all its features (no cost).

tag(s): addition (127), alphabet (52), blended learning (36), decimals (85), division (96), equations (119), fractions (159), game based learning (206), geometric shapes (133), Learning Management Systems (20), measurement (123), multiplication (120), number sense (68), place value (33), preK (289), sight words (23), spelling (98), subtraction (108)

How bad can you be? This game teaches you how fake news and disinformation spreads as players take on the role of the bad guy to acquire as many followers as possible while raising their credibility ratings. Follow the prompts and make selections on how to spread disinformation and take advantage of others' fears and emotions as you proceed through the game. As you make choices, watch how that affects the number of your followers and learn how to use celebrity and fear to influence others. Throughout the game, players earn up to six badges recognizing accomplishments such as impersonation and emotion.

tag(s): digital citizenship (93), game based learning (206), internet safety (116), media literacy (113), social media (50)

Use this simple matching game from iCivics to learn the requirements of becoming a citizen in the United States. With this interactive online game, iCivics keeps to the facts, avoiding issues of asylum and "dreamers" (people brought to the U.S. as children and raised there). The appealing character of Liberty Belle, assistant to the Statue of Liberty, will help younger students persist in learning the facts about becoming a citizen in the United States.

tag(s): game based learning (206), immigration (84), landmarks (21), politics (118)