TeachersFirst's Game-Based Learning Resources

This collection of reviewed resources from TeachersFirst provides the editors’ choices of the TOP tools for game-based learning. Game-based learning is popular in today’s classrooms. Explore tools in various subject and topic areas. Differentiate for all students using games! Find games to help your students learn and review. 

Explore all of the resources tagged game-based learning

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Learning Game Generator - Yourway Learning

Grades
K to 12
 
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,...more
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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)

In the Classroom

Use the game generator to create activities for use during station rotations, whole-class games, or as a homework activity. Use the features included on this site to request changes until you identify a game that meets your needs and your class's. Be specific with your requests; for example, ask for a Jeopardy-style game that includes all of the answers to use in your game. If your class enjoys games that require a lot of movement or use puzzles, include that type of information in your prompt. Use this site to create questions for online game-maker tools such as Classroom Jeopardy, reviewed here and those found on TeachersFirst Special Topics Page: Gamification Resources, reviewed here.
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Teach Your Monster - The Usborne Foundation

Grades
K to 2
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...more
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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)

In the Classroom

Assign each student a notebook where they write down new words they encounter in the game. They could also make a digital notebook using WriteReader reviewed here. Create a small reading corner or station where partners can practice blending sounds and decoding words. Pair students and have them take turns reading words or sentences aloud that they learn through the game.
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Topmarks - TopMarks Online Ltd.

Grades
K to 2
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...more
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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)

In the Classroom

After playing a phonics game on the website, create a classroom race where students identify words with specific sounds (ex., "sh" or "ch") on flashcards around the room. Students collect cards with correct sounds and earn points for their team. Use the sentence-building game from Topmarks as inspiration. Provide students with word cards (nouns, verbs, adjectives) to construct sentences in small groups. Challenge them to make their sentences longer or add descriptive words for extra points. After playing word-recognition games, set up a classroom scavenger hunt where students find objects or pictures that match words from the games. Set up classroom literacy stations that include Topmarks games on tablets or computers, a phonics-based board game, and a reading corner with decodable books. Rotate students through stations in small groups.
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Groovelit - Harvard Innovation Labs

Grades
K to 12
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...more
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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)

In the Classroom

Be sure to visit Groovelit's blog to find many ideas for classroom use, such as bell ringers, quick writes, and creative writing prompts. In addition, the blog shares several certificate templates to recognize student achievements, such as inclusion in the "Spicy Vocabulary Word Hall of Fame" and "Greek Roots Mastery Tracker." Use these ideas and others to create your certificates for students to share using the certificate creator found at Tools for Educators, reviewed here. Groovelit can also engage reluctant writers by generating short yet interesting prompts that reward students with points through short writing activities. Differentiate writing activities as needed based on students' needs. For example, quickly generate writing prompts for different topics of interest for your students or assign activities based on students' writing or vocabulary skills.
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The Big Fib Podcast - Benjamin Strouse, Chris Tarry & David Kreizman

Grades
K to 8
  
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...more
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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)

In the Classroom

Share this podcast as a flipped learning experience or include it as part of a listening center during station rotation activities on evaluating information shared by different sources. Take advantage of free teaching materials such as the Listening Guide to provide students with focus while listening and as a resource for documenting their evaluation process. After listening to and evaluating several episodes of the podcast, encourage students to write and produce a podcast in a similar style. After creating storyboards and writing their script, use a podcast creation tool such as Castbox Creator Studio, reviewed here to record and share your podcasts.
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Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse - Twinkl

Grades
K to 5
 
Twinkl, reviewed here is a website that provides educational resources for teachers and parents. They have partnered with Sony Pictures Entertainment...more
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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)

In the Classroom

Engage students by introducing your Spider-Man and Spider-Gwen tasks with the Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse official trailer at the bottom of the page. Discover activities for learners aged 5-16 years. Fuel your student's interest with these entertaining, curriculum-aligned, Spider-Man activities! Use one of the writing prompts for a creative warm-up activity. Play interactive games on computers as a part of daily station rotations. Free downloadable activities include occupational therapy, fine motor skills, writing prompts, reading comprehension passages, interactive games, and math activities.
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K20 Games - University of Oklahoma K20 Center

Grades
6 to 12
  
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...more
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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)

In the Classroom

Learn more about how to use the K20 game portal by viewing instructional videos provided on the K20 playlist found here. Include financial literacy games in your classroom to engage students in discussing finances, statistics, and decision-making using real-life scenarios. Ask students to compare and contrast their decisions as they play the games, share discussions on Gravity, reviewed here, and encourage students to provide feedback to peers on the consequences and benefits of their game decisions. Ask your tech-savvy students to create tutorials for each game using a screen recording tool such as Free Online Screen Recorder, reviewed here, then share the recordings on your class website for students to use at home and school.
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Music Games - Crazy Games

Grades
K to 12
 
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 ...more
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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)

In the Classroom

Before sharing these games with students or including them on classroom computers, demonstrate how to identify and avoid ads in some games. Then, use the games to engage students in learning about different musical instruments, understanding rhythm and beat, or supplementing current music class instruction. Make it easy for students to find shared games using Symbaloo, reviewed here. Create a Symbaloo mix that links to shared games and add it as a resource on classroom computers. If students have difficulties understanding instructions, ask other students to create tutorials using Free Online Screen Recorder, reviewed here, then share a link to the tutorial on classroom devices and your class website.
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Logic Games - Crazy Games

Grades
4 to 12
 
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...more
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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)

In the Classroom

Bookmark and save this game site as a resource for logic and puzzle games to share with your students. Consider adding a puzzle of the week to your computer center activities or as an engaging at-home learning activity. Puzzles are an excellent way to strengthen math conversations in any classroom. After spending time with logic puzzles, ask students to share their thought and learning processes as they play each game. Ask students to create a screen recording demonstrating how to play the game and discussing the process. Use your device's screen recording features or an online tool such as Free Online Screen Recorder, reviewed here, to create and share recordings. Use a simple curation tool such as 3X3 Links, reviewed here, to share students' recordings and/or discussions in one easy-to-find location.
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Science Games - Crazy Games

Grades
5 to 12
 
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...more
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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)

In the Classroom

Be sure to take some time to explore this site before sharing it with students due to the different kinds of activities available. You may want to share specific games with tech-savvy students first, then let them be the teacher to show classmates how to play. Include games as part of blended learning activities, computer centers, or online lessons. For example, use Canvas LMs, reviewed here, to create a lesson incorporating one or more science games, video tutorials, quizzes, and additional activities. Enhance learning by asking students to work in groups to create science games using Scratch, reviewed here. Many examples and tutorials are available on Scratch to get you started.
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Art Games - Crazy Games

Grades
K to 12
 
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 ...more
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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)

In the Classroom

Before assigning games with students, use your whiteboard or a screen recording to demonstrate how to avoid ads found on the site. It is also helpful to add a short tutorial for some games to get students started, as most games do not include instructions. Select games on this site, and others, as part of an arts center that features music, art, and drama games and activities. Curate your resources into one place to make it easier for students to find and access them using Wakelet, reviewed here, or another curation tool. Instead of sharing several links onto computer devices, share a link to the Wakelet collection that includes all your resources.
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Math Games - Crazy Games

Grades
4 to 12
 
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...more
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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.
This site includes advertising.

tag(s): addition (127), coordinates (15), equations (119), game based learning (206), logic (160), multiplication (120), number sense (68), problem solving (234), time (91)

In the Classroom

This site has quite a few advertisements; before sharing with students, demonstrate how to avoid the ads when playing games. Include games from this site as part of a math center or problem-solving homework activity. Ask students to discuss and share their problem-solving strategies after playing. Extend math learning by asking students to create a weekly or monthly math podcast using Buzzsprout, reviewed here. Use this podcast for students to compare and contrast strategies for solving the different games and share their understanding of the math concepts featured in the games.
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iThrive Sim- Digital Simulation Games - ithrive games

Grades
9 to 12
 
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...more
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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)

In the Classroom

Teachers can find links to individual games, downloadable curricula for various video games, lesson plans, and teaching resources. These game simulations are designed to build skills in decision-making, understanding bias, compromise, advocacy, and collaboration among students. The games support face-to-face interaction and can also be adapted to the needs of online and hybrid learning environments.
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Teachers' Guide to Cranky Uncle - John Cook

Grades
6 to 12
 
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...more
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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)

In the Classroom

Add this game to your toolkit of lessons and activities when teaching Internet safety and media literacy skills. The Teachers' Guide already includes many ideas on integrating the game into classroom lessons and includes using technology to enhance and extend learning. Use these ideas as a starting point to build student engagement and help them understand the real-world applications for the information found in the game. For example, use the suggested Padlet, reviewed here, activity to compile quiz questions as suggested in Activity 5. After completing that activity, have students create their own videos, fake social media posts, or news articles that contain misinformation and create quiz questions for their peers to complete. Adobe Creative Cloud Express for Education, reviewed here, is an excellent tool for students to use when creating websites, flyers, and infographics. As a final project, and to extend learning, have students share what they learned with others by producing podcasts using Buzzsprout, reviewed here, or digital books for younger students using Book Creator, reviewed here.
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The Pack - New York Hall of Science (NYSCI)

Grades
6 to 12
 
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 ...more
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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)

In the Classroom

Utilize the Teacher-Guide to find ideas for classroom use. Use the table in the guide as a starting point to document and organize student learning. As students play The Pack, use a spreadsheet tool such as Excel or Google Sheets to recreate the table in the guide and add additional areas of documentation. Enhance student learning by having students use a screen recording tool like Screencastify, reviewed here, to share different portions of the game and their chosen actions. As a final activity, and to extend student learning, ask students to create their own environmental learning game using Scratch, reviewed here.
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Clever Crazes for Kids - Building Healthy Lives Foundation

Grades
K to 8
  
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...more
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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)

In the Classroom

Add games found on Clever Crazes for Kids to others shared on classroom computers. Encourage students to participate in games by earning points. Have students document and extend their learning by sharing screenshots of accomplishments and by screen recording student reading sessions to demonstrate progress. Use Seesaw, reviewed here, as a digital portfolio to document progress and share student learning with parents.
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PBS Kids - PBS

Grades
K to 5
 
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'...more
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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)

In the Classroom

Discover and share the many free resources available on PBS Kids. Show clips on your interactive whiteboard, or with your projector, then have students complete an accompanying activity. With younger students, use Gravity, reviewed here, as a video response platform for students to share how they would use what they learned by watching the videos or using the interactives. Alternatively, you might try using Acast, reviewed here; Acast is an extremely easy to use tool for creating audio to share as podcasts. PBS Kids is perfect for sharing with parents. Include a link to activities on your class website along with suggestions on how to use activities at home.
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SplashLearn - StudyPad, Inc

Grades
K to 5
  
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...more
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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)

In the Classroom

Take advantage of the free games and activities to provide practice and support with your math and reading curriculums. Differentiate learning based on student ability and confidence. Assign content based on students' learning goals. Share this site with parents to provide practice and support for math and ELA concepts at home. Use SplashLearn's reports and assessment results to guide your lesson planning and make adaptations to adjust to students' learning needs. Share this site with other practice activities using a bookmarking tool such as Symbaloo, reviewed here. Share your Symbaloo link with parents and on classroom computers for easy access to all learning tools shared. Use activities found in SplashLearn as part of a blended learning experience using Pear Deck, reviewed here. Include a link to the site along with videos and other learning activities found online or uploaded from your computer.
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Bad News - Cambridge Social Decision-Making Lab and DROG

Grades
5 to 12
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 ...more
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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)

In the Classroom

This game is perfect for use as an introduction to lessons on digital citizenship, media literacy, and social media. Share the site with your students to explore on their own and encourage them to play several different times using the different options provided. Your students won't mind playing over and over; it is easy to get hooked on trying to find the best way to gain as many followers as possible! Once students become familiar with the game and the different options presented for spreading misinformation, ask them to apply their findings to online content. Have them do some online research to find sites or information using tactics such as emotion and the others featured in Bad News. As they research sites and online information, have them add links to the sites they find on a class Padlet. Padlet, reviewed here, offers an option to create columns, use this option then label a column for each badge found in the game and ask students to share a link to their sites in the appropriate column. In addition to adding a link, have students include a comment providing information on why their site belongs in the category. Instead of assessing learning with quizzes or a written report, enhance learning and transform your assessment by having students create infographics to share information learned. Canva Infographic Maker, reviewed here, provides easy to use templates to create interesting and informative infographics. Extend leaning and ask students to become the teacher using Quizizz, reviewed here. Include videos, quizzes, and other interactive activities as part of your Quizizz lesson. Be sure to share your assessment rubric with students as part of your assignment. Find many ideas for implementing rubrics for assessment along with examples and online tools at TeachersFirst Rubrics to the Rescue, reviewed here.
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Immigration Nation - iCivics

Grades
5 to 8
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...more
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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)

In the Classroom

Since the topic of immigration can be a sensitive issue in any American classroom today, you may want to use the lessons in From Provocative to Productive, reviewed here to introduce how to have a respectful discussion (and develop critical thinking skills along the way). Once you feel students are versed a bit in diplomacy, use Immigration Nation as an introduction making sure students know the facts about becoming a citizen in the United States. Share the game on an interactive whiteboard or with a projector. In order to assure your students know the requirements before participating in a discussion of this hot political issue, you may want to play with the entire class first, reminding students they need to learn the facts before they can effectively debate the issues. Then allow students to play on their own on the whiteboard or classroom computers, keeping a log of their actions and results. Once students know the facts, you could set up a discussion using Thinkalong, reviewed here to practice their discussion and argument strategies. With older students, a next step might be to take the debate public using Virtual Debate, reviewed here which has online examples and resources for conducting virtual debates.
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