How I Gamified my Classroom: Gamified Lesson

As I first started reading Explore Like a Pirate this summer, I was instantly motivated to plan something interesting for my students. I started thinking about units that I could revamp, and with the election coming up this fall I decided to update my unit on American Symbols and government. The only thing is, that I did this early on in the book before it described game mechanics, so it's a little different than the other posts in this mini series. The good news is that it was engaging for the students and something I definitely want to do again!

A few years ago, I learned how to make a paper bag camera where the students could “take pictures” of things and then write about them. I've always loved the idea, but had never been able to figure out how to get it to work effectively in the past. The students would spend most of their time drawing a picture, and then would write one sentence, if that, to describe it. Well, when you're teaching how to write paragraphs that's a problem!

I still loved the idea of using the camera in a lesson, and it was on my mind while I'm trying to figure out how to revamp this unit. I got a little distracted and started looking up things to do on my upcoming vacation in Napa Valley, and then all of a sudden BAM! It hit me!

We would take a tour of national monuments and Washington, D.C. And use the camera to take pictures of the places we visited. While “on the tour” the students would learn from the tour guide, me, about the different monuments. They would take a picture, and when it was developed we would write facts about the monument or other symbol on the other side. The students love love LOVES traveling on planes and taking pictures of the monuments. I was surprised at how much of a hit that was.

Well, it didn't stop there. I wanted to create a sense of adventure to add that game aspect to this lesson and give the students a problem to solve. So one day they received a letter from George Washington saying that he had somehow traveled through time and he needed help from the smartest class around to go back and lead the country. I had this whole great plan where the students would have to find and decipher clues to spell out one of the names of the monuments to find him.

And it was a total flop.

Close up of the letter.

The students were more interested in looking for clues in the sand at recess or it on the field in the grass. They completely missed the clues that I wrote on the white board or taped to desks. Maybe the beginning of 2nd grade was a little too soon to get them to complete extra tasks to earn clues. Or maybe I didn't explain it right. It's something I'll definitely try again next year, or maybe even with another lesson this year. Well just have to see how it goes!

The good news is that even though they did not understand looking for clues in the way I wanted them to, they were super excited about learning the content. Each week when we went to library I had students come up to me and show me books about the government, Presidents, or monuments that they were checking out. They would say things like “Maybe there's a clue in here, Ms. Corrigan!”

Well, there were plenty of clues hidden in books. Only those books were already at their desks!

Make sure you check back next Wednesday, 11/9, to read about the 3D model challenge!

How I Gamified My Classroom: Mini Games

I remember playing Mario Party 2 as a kid on my Nintendo 64. After reading Explore Like a Pirate I played it again to see if I could find the different game aspects he talked about. Some were easier to find than others, but one that jumped right out was mini games! Of course, this game within the game, was the best part! 

That being said, this post is all about mini games to use in your classroom!

Mini games are a great way to practice skills. You can make them as simple or as complicated as you want. I prefer to keep it easy! Here are some quick tips I have for playing games:

1. Everyone does every problem. Keep them engaged and you'll have less problems to deal with.

2. Use something easy to write on like white boards, scratch paper, journals, etc. Don't make it too complicated, and everyone doesn't need to use the same thing. 

3. The fewer teams you use, the better off you'll be. I recommend a max of 4 teams, but I usually end up using 2 teams. 

4. Number off everyone on each team, so every team has the same numbers. Have students solve the problem, or answer the question, etc. and then call out a number to see what their answer was. This helps keep them on their toes. 

I've written out more detailed procedures I've used in previous posts. This is the spark notes version for those of you who've read about my games before. If you're just tuning in now, be sure to check out the other mini games I play at the bottom of the post!

 This game is called Mystery Boxes!

The boxes have point values hidden behind. The point values range from 0 - 100. 

Let's say I'm using two teams. I write a problem on the board, let's say 1+1=, and the students have to solve it. I call on team mate number 3 from both teams, and they both show me their answer. Both teams have 2 as the answer, so both students get the chance to choose a mystery box. Team 1 chooses box 1, and let's say there's 5 points behind it. Team 1 earns 5 points! Team 2 chooses box 28, and let's say there's 50 points behind that one. Team 2 earns 50 points!

Click the video for a sneak peek of what's inside the product!

Click the image to view this product in my TpT store!

If you haven't read about the other mini games I play in my class check them out below!

Danger Cards

Sink or Swim

Math Baseball

How I Gamified My Classroom: Items

This post is all about one of the baby steps I took to add game elements into my classroom- using Items! 

I was a little skeptical about using items at first. I'm horrible at remembering to hand out things like tickets, deal with punch cards, money for a classroom economy, etc. In the past I've used item like things for little rewards, and it was never as motivating for the students, or myself,  as I wanted it to be. This time I was really motivated, and so far it's working out okay!

The items I'm using now give the students an advantage in a game that we play. I already play learning games in class so this was an easy way to add gamification into my classroom. Each item has  different "power" and can be earned by doing different things. Some items are worth game points, which can be used to break ties, as a starting score, etc. 

Sea Shells: This is a very low level item. It's worth only 5 game points, so it's not very valuable. I used this a lot at the beginning of the year, but not so much now. 

Sword: Similar to Sea Shells, this is worth game points. It has 3 levels, but my students have only earned the level 1 sword so far. Level 1 is worth 10 game points, level 2 is worth 25 game points, and level 3 is worth 50 game points. 

Treasure Chest: This is a favorite item in my classroom right now. The treasure chest allows the team to earn double points for the next 3 rounds. 

Mutiny: This item allows students to "curse" a player on another team. I haven't had the chance to get more creative than a "silent" curse. When a player has been hit with a silent curse they have to remain silent the entire game, OR their team loses all their points! 

Mapquest: This item isn't exactly for use in a game, but it's something that students will definitely need during the school year. It allows one of their missing classroom supplies to be replaced. It's only the end of the first quarter and I already have many lost or broken homework folders, so it's time to cash these babies in!

Jolly Roger:I haven't introduced this item to my class yet, but it is coming soon! This item will allow the holder to bend the rules in a game. I'm really excited to see how this one plays out!

Conch: This item will allow students to call out to another student to help them during a game. If someone has the conch they can play it and ask another player to help them, or if another student is struggling they can play it to go help them. I haven't used this one yet, but it'll come into play soon!

Pieces of Eight: This one.. I haven't quite figured out yet or introduced. It will be a set of 8 coins that the students will collect, and on their own they are useless. As part of a set, the student in possession of all eight will be unstoppable. I have no idea what that looks like yet, but I've got time to figure it out!

I've hidden items around my classroom inside books, but most of them are tied to returning homework assignments and completing work. Since it is something relatively new, my class hasn't completely figured out how to use items. But, they excited about it, and it's fun for me to watch!

Check back next Wednesday 10/26 to read about the mini games I play in my classroom! I've posted about some of the games before, but this post includes some new ones, too. 

Five for Friday

I can't believe that it's already time for another Five for Friday with Kacey from Doodlebugs Teaching. Time flies by when you're relaxing on Fall Break.. Here's a bit of what I've been up to!

Every year we go to Oktoberfest. This year has to be my favorite time we went. Just low key relaxing outside listening to good (sometimes..) music!

Do you remember the Explore Like a Pirate linky this summer? It gave me tons of great ideas to add gamification elements into my classroom, so I'm writing a mini series about the ways I gamified my classroom during first quarter. I hope to add 2nd, 3rd, and 4th quarter as they come up, too! Click the image to see the original post.

Oh, and make sure you stop by again on Wednesday to read about how I used Items in my classroom!

I have been waiting for this book for a long time! My absolute favorite author, Jodi Picoult, has published another book. I just started reading it, and I'll probably end up reading the rest of it this weekend. If you haven't read her books yet, you need to start now. She is amazing!

My whole condo needs an upgrade, and slowly but surely we are getting there! Welcome.. new dining chairs and the gigantic coffee table!

Please excuse the mess in the background.. Things got a little super messy before Fall Break, and I spent the break tidying up. So it looks much better now! 

This has been in the works for a while.. I forgot how busy the beginning of the year is! Anyways, the November edition of The Ultimate Reading Challenge is now in my TpT store. Click the image to check it out!

Read what the other bloggers have been up to by clicking on the button to go back to the linky!

How I Gamified My Classroom - First Quarter Edition

This summer I read Explore Like a Pirate by Michael Matera. It gave me a bunch of great ideas to make my classroom more fun and engaging. Some are definitely more easy than others, but in the end I think they would all be worth it! 

Anyways, I decided to take baby steps. I tried out a few ideas during the first quarter, and I can't wait to share them all with you! Rather than write one looooooooong post about the things I tried, I decided to break it down into several smaller posts. 

In the upcoming weeks I'll write about how I used different game mechanics in my classroom. I'll write about what worked well, what didn't, and what I'd change.


Join me next Wednesday, 10/19, as I talk ramble on about: Items!


Oh, and if you're interested in learning more about gamification, check out these posts:

A Whale of a Tale: Theme and Storytelling

Pulleys, Ropes, and Rigging: Game Mechanics to Outfit any Journey

Tools and Treasures: Stockpiling Items and Earning Badges

X Marks the Spot: Finding Joy in Playful Assessment

Danger Cards

I'm so happy I read Explore Like a Pirate this summer! I got so many great ideas for ways to engage students, and one of my favorite things was the mini game aspect. I already play learning games in my classroom, and I was able to get some new ideas for easy games. 

On my Instagram, I recently posted about Danger Cards, and here's how I play this fun and easy game!

P.S. this is perfect for those Friday afternoons when your class is crazy and you're just ready for the weekend. 

But, it's also works great when you just need a fun and easy way to practice a skill!

I have the same rules and procedures in every game, so when we learn a new game it takes about 30 seconds. Very little actually changes, which makes it so much easier for me!

The rules and procedures I use for every game are:

1. Divide the class into teams. I either use 2 or 4 teams depending on the game and how much time we have.

2. Number off everyone on each team. 1 - however many students you have. Each team should have a number 1, number 2, number 3, etc. 

3. Everyone solves every problem. Gotta have that engagement!

4. Be quiet when solving the problems. I do not give warnings in games since it is usually a reward, so if this rule is broken that student will be out, or their team will lose points, move back, etc. The consequence depends on the game. I've found that if you are consistent with this then you have very little problems with students talking while solving the problems. 

5. Give the students enough time to solve the problem. Depending on what the problem is, and the strategy I want them to use, it usually takes between 45 seconds and 1 minute. Ultimately you need to keep the game moving forward, or you'll lose the students. If I call on a student and they have not finished the problem then they earn an out, don't get points, whatever makes sense with the game. 

*With Danger Cards, the students don't get an opportunity to choose a Danger Card.

6. Call out a number, and the student on all teams with that number show the answer. 

7. If it's right - they move forward, get points, get to choose something, etc.. If it's wrong, they move backward OR stay in the spot, lose points, nothing happens, etc. These are all variations on the game, so it'll vary with the game! 

*With Danger Cards, a correct answer will earn the opportunity to choose a Danger Card. A wrong answer doesn't earn or lose points.


Here's the nitty gritty with Danger Cards. 

The Danger Cards have a point value on the inside. The students could earn points, lose points, or choose a card that has 0 points. Prior to the start of the game, one student from each team gets to peek inside one card. They can tell their team the point value, so they can use that as part of their strategy.

P.S. most of my students haven't figured out the strategy aspect of this game yet. I think 2 out of 30 have figured out how to trick others into losing points, but that's it!


Anyways, back to the game.


I present a problem, and the students solve it. I call out a number, and any student with that number shows me their white board. If they get the answer right, they get the opportunity to choose a danger card.

Let's say 4 students had the correct answer. I roll the dice to see which student gets to choose a Danger Card. The student chooses a card, but doesn't let the other 3 students see it and doesn't say anything. The other 3 students will decide if they're going to play or pass, depending on their reaction to the card. If they play, they take the point value on the card. If they pass, nothing happens. The 3 students decide if they're going to play or pass, and then the student who saw the card says if they will play or pass after everyone else has cast their vote. If the student says PLAY the class erupts into cheers because they know they'll earn points. If they say PASS, it goes silent because they know that it says something that's not good.

I think that sounds more complicated than it is, and it only takes about 10 seconds or so. I think they like the unknown aspect of the cards because they love love love playing this game!

Looking for other EASY games to add to your day? Click the images below to read about other games I play. 

 Sink or Swim

Math Baseball

What games do you use in your classroom? Let me know in the comments!

Fall Break Sale

I'm stopping by for a quick post to let you know that I'm having a sale!

My TpT store will be on sale for 20% off  Monday - Wednesday. Click the image to visit my store!

Check out some of my fall favorites below:

This research project includes: 

→ Bat Research Journal and graphic organizers
→ Game templates - word search, unscramble a word, write a story with questions
→ Templates for each side - fact and opinion, informative paragraph, and fun facts
→ Parent letter
→ Rubric

This primary friendly portfolio includes:
→ multiple graphic organizers for research
→ vocabulary words and pages
→ writing prompt for a friendly letter with pre-writing graphic organizers and publishing page
→ informative paragraph pre-writing graphic organizer and publishing pages

Included in this pack:

→ Master sheet of October paragraphs
→ Individual October paragraphs on half sheets for students to check their work 
→ Sentence pieces for 6 mixed up paragraphs with October themes
→ Recording sheet

Included in this pack:

✓ calendar template for reading log
✓ game board template for reading log
✓ templates for friendly letter, Venn Diagram, Halloween Story
✓ spelling tic tac toe template
✓ reading brochure with suggested activities and websites to check out in October

Happy shopping!