Teachers First - Thinking Teachers Teaching Thinkers

Crowd Buzzer is a virtual game buzzer that lets players buzz in from any digital device and lets others see who buzzed in first and the order of other players. No more wondering who hit that buzzer first! Begin by giving your game a name, then look for the game code in the upper left portion of the page. Next, provide players a link to the Crowd Buzzer site, located here, and ask them to enter the game code. In addition to the game code, players add their name and the optional team name if desired before joining. Next, turn the buzzer on and off from the hosting site; for example, turn off buzzers while reading a question, and turn them on when ready for responses. Finally, players click the buzz button on their screens, and the host receives a list of names in the order they buzz in. Crowd Buzzer allows up to 100 players per game.

tag(s): game based learning (173), Teacher Utilities (134)

Customize and share personalized Wordles based upon the popular word game, Wordle, reviewed here using Make a Custom Wordle. Enter a word of any length (unlike the original word for five-letter words only) to generate a shareable link for your word. Make a Custom Wordle also offers the option to create words in several languages, including Spanish, French, Hindi, and German. Share the link with students using email, classroom management system, or class website. When complete, copy the URL to share by pasting it into an email or your blog or classroom website.

tag(s): game based learning (173), sight words (21), spelling (93), vocabulary (231)

Blooket is a digital review game built for classroom use. Educators create game sets, and students join on their device to play a variety of game options using the provided code. Games include options for solo or group play. Build sets using your own questions or search Blooket's library to find games created by other educators. Save favorite sets to your account for later use, then duplicate sets and edit to fit your needs when ready to play. Blooket also offers the option to import quizzes directly from Quizlet, reviewed here. As students join a game, they choose a Blook, a character that serves as an avatar. When ready, choose the "host" option to begin play by selecting a game mode and following prompts. Some games offer the ability to assign homework, allowing students to complete the game within the selected time frame.

tag(s): assessment (143), Formative Assessment (66), game based learning (173), gamification (74), quizzes (89), vocabulary (231), vocabulary development (91), worksheets (68)

Quickly create and share interactive learning games created from your vocabulary terms using Educandy. Activities include match-up games, memory matches, crossword puzzles, and more. Go to the top right menu and click download the free app. After creating your account, follow the prompts to create a list of words, matching pairs, or quiz questions. When finished, edit or play the game using links found under your activities. Share using the link provided or copy the embed code to embed your game into a website.

tag(s): assessment (143), DAT device agnostic tool (138), game based learning (173), preK (247), quizzes (89), vocabulary (231)

SplashLearn is a game-based math curriculum for students in grades K-5. As students play games, SplashLearn adapts the learning path to fit individual student responses and interactions within the elementary math 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 use toward the purchase of 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 (126), decimals (85), division (97), equations (116), fractions (160), game based learning (173), geometric shapes (130), Learning Management Systems (22), measurement (125), multiplication (120), number sense (70), place value (34), subtraction (108)

Game Builder offers ready-to-go games and templates for building digital games in a variety of formats. Choose from classic games like Bingo and Jeopardy or try different forms such as Squid Hunter or Chakalaka. Select a game option to begin making games, then follow prompts to add questions and responses. When finished, be sure to choose the option to make your game public making it available to share. Registration is required to create and share games.
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tag(s): assessment (143), game based learning (173), gamification (74), quizzes (89)

Semantris is an engaging pair of word association games offered as a Google experiment in predicting the use of words by players. Arcade is a quick-thinking game; write a word associated with the shared selection to drop words to the bottom of a list as quickly as possible. Block is a slower paced game; try to provide a short phrase to describe one of the words in the blocks to drop the blocks and prevent them from reaching the top of the page.

tag(s): game based learning (173), logic (162), puzzles (143), vocabulary (231), vocabulary development (91), word study (57)

Room Escape Maker takes the popular room escape adventures online. The only way to escape is to solve a series of puzzles using hints and strategies as you find your way out of the locked room. Browse through the selection of games created by others to find ideas on how to use this site. When ready, choose "Create Game" to start. Begin with your chosen canvas or background and follow prompts to add items and clues to your escape room.
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tag(s): game based learning (173), gamification (74), makerspace (43)

Poki Educational Games provides an assortment of learning activities in several different subjects. Find interactives by content by choosing from the related categories options on the the left menu tabs. Categories include interactives in all content areas as well as problem-solving activities and puzzles.
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tag(s): game based learning (173), logic (162), problem solving (219)

Quizlet Live is a classroom quiz game for groups created by the makers of Quizlet, reviewed here. Follow directions to create and share a quiz set and assign to student teams. At least six students are needed to create and play a Quizlet Live game. When students receive the code and log in, they find other team members and begin competing. Accuracy is encouraged over speed, providing a wrong answer will send teams back to start from the beginning of the quiz.

tag(s): collaboration (87), DAT device agnostic tool (138), game based learning (173), quizzes (89), spelling (93), vocabulary (231), word study (57)

This "freebie" from Brainpop goes beyond the usual videos and quizzes. It includes several engaging interactives, some created by Brainpop and others linked to outside sources. Game Up, a free area of Brain Pop, is a collection of free online games that are linked to Common Core and State Standards. English, science, math, social studies, and health activities provide challenge for every learner. This free gem also includes activities for grades K-3 and ENL/ESL students. Some of the topics (at the time of this review) included: After the Storm, Argument Wars, Antibiotic Resistance, Carbon Cycle, Do I Have a Right, Court Quest, Cell Command, Blood Typing, Make Me Sick, The Diabetic Dog Game, and Food Fight.
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tag(s): branches of government (62), cells (79), debate (38), diseases (67), fractions (160), game based learning (173), journalism (69), logic (162), matter (47), myplate (19), nutrition (133), oceans (140), planets (110), plants (140), puzzles (143), solar system (106), supreme court (26)

Looking for engaging interactives for math, language arts, geography, and even more? Look no further than this colorful site. These activities are great ways to build skills and work on math and language arts concepts for all students. The activities are divided into multi-player and single-player games in such categories as "Addition and Subtraction," "Multiplication and Division," and "Fraction and Ratios." There are also language arts interactives! After signing up, enroll your students in the Free membership, assign games, and keep track of student progress. Arcademics uses HTML5, so you can use any device with a web browser. Find apps for Android and iOS, too. HTML5 allows students to play together from any device, anywhere; this means students can play some of the games with classes around the world. Talk about collaboration! Need help? See the step by step instructions for troubleshooting available at the FAQ link. Access information for grade levels, subjects, and more across the top of the website. To choose a game, roll your mouse over it to see its title, then click. Read the quick introduction to understand the activity. Provide direction in whether students should enter a player name or use the randomly generated name from the site. Choose to play a new game or join an existing game. Create a private game if you wish, which requires password creation. No email address or personal information is required for these excellent practice activities. There is a subscription (at a cost) offer for this site. This review is for the free portion of this resource "The free Arcademics Basic includes student powerups and achieivements, but no data analysis."
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tag(s): addition (126), collaboration (87), DAT device agnostic tool (138), division (97), fractions (160), game based learning (173), multiplication (120), ratios (48), subtraction (108), verbs (27), vision (45), vowels (6)