Educational Games

Ellen Baltz
EDIT 704

Parlor Games

Definition: a game (such as a board game, card game, or guessing

game) that you can play inside your home
Examples:
Factor Captor
Picture Guess
Click States

Factor Capture
Everyday Math Game
Can be played online or using a printed template
How to play:
a. Player 1 selects a target number from the
number chart
b.

Player 2 identifies the factors of the

target number (factors up to the target
number)

c.

Player 2 receives points that are equal to

the sum of the correct factors

d.

Players switch roles

e.

The game is over when all of the

numbers on the number chart have been
selected

Factor Capture: Evaluation

This parlor game can be played digitally through
www.everydaymathonline.com or can be played using a printed paper
template. In order to play this game, students need to know their
multiplication facts, as well as determining the factors of a number. In
addition, students knowing prime and composite numbers will be very
beneficial, but it is not necessary. This game is an effective game that
keeps students engaged and allows them to think critically.

Picture Guess
Game to help learn vocabulary words
Learners must guess the secret word or phrase using only their
teammates drawing
Can be played using paper and pencil or can use iPad (Google
Drawing)
How to play:
a. Teams of 4; on teammate is the drawer
b. Teacher shows the drawer the first vocabulary word
c. When teacher says Go. the drawer start drawer a
picture that depicts the vocabulary word
d. Teammates must raise their hand when they are able to
guess the picture (possible score: 1 point)
e. Game continues for each vocabulary word allowing each
student to draw a picture (possible winner: team to reach
10 points first

Picture Guess: Evaluation

This parlor game can be played digitally using an iPad or laptop (Google
Drawing) or can be played using paper and pencil. This is a great game
for students to further their understanding of content vocabulary words
and/or spelling words. The game even helps students collaborate and
can build upon the classroom community. In addition, Picture Guess is a
wonderful opportunity to let the artistic students shine; but can also
hinder those that are not creative or artistic.

Click States
Digital game from
http://www.roomrecess.com/pages/45.ht
ml

Game to help learn the states, capitals, and

nicknames of the states
The game counts the number correct and
the number wrong and gives a percent
accuracy
Keeps students actively engaged with a
60-second challenge

Click States: Evaluation

This parlor game is played digitally on the website:
http://www.roomrecess.com/pages/45.html. It is an engaging game that
helps students practice where the states are located on the map. In
addition it also helps them identify the state capitals, as well as the
different nicknames of the states. This game is great for Social Studies
standards and can be used in many different grades.

Role-Playing
Games

Definition: a game in which players take on the roles of imaginary

characters who engage in adventures, typically in a particular
computerized fantasy setting overseen by a referee
Examples:
Lemonade Stand
Sugar and Salt Solutions
Energy Skate Park

Lemonade Stand
Digital game from
http://www.coolmath-games.com/0-lemonade-s
tand
The goal of the game is for the learner to make as
much money as they can in 7, 14, or 21 days
by selling lemonade at a lemonade stand
Great game to use to teach money, economics,
and supply and demand
How to play:
a. The learner buys cups, lemons, sugar,
and ice cubes, then sets up the recipe
based on the weather and conditions
b. After the learner gets the lemonade just
right, they set the price and sell their
lemonade at the stand (may change the
price as the weather conditions change)
c. At the end of the game the learner will

Lemonade Stand: Evaluation

This role-playing game can be played at
http://www.coolmath-games.com/0-lemonade-stand. This is perfect
game to teach students about money, economics, and supply and
demand. Students must price out the ingredients and materials they are
going to need in order to run a lemonade stand and make money.
Within the game the students are running the stand and must make
decisions on pricing as the weather conditions changes and the demand
of lemonade increase or decreases. Overall, Lemonade Stand is a great
interactive game where the the learner is control and learns how to
work through a real-world/educational scenario.

Sugar and Salt Solutions

Digital game from
http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/su
gar-and-salt-solutions

Students are able to be the interactive

scientist to see the reaction when salt
and sugar are added to water
Learners can pour in sugar, shake in salt,
and evaporate the water to see the
effects on concentration and
conductivity
Learners can zoom in to see how the
different sugar and salt compounds
dissolve and to explore the role of water

Sugar and Salt Solutions: Evaluation

This role-playing game can be played at
http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/sugar-and-salt-solutions. This a
great game that allows the students to become digital scientists. This is
an interactive game that helps the learners understand what happens
when sugar and salt is added to water and what the water does to the
sugar and salt. In addition, it also allows the learners to evaporate the
water to see the results of the sugar and water. This is a great
educational game for teachers and students to use if they arent able to
get their hands on the materials needed for this live experimentinstead they can use this interactive science stimulation.

Energy Skate Park

Digital game from
https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/
energy-skate-park

Students are able to be the interactive

scientist that builds tracks, ramps, and
jumps for a skate boarder
Learners can change the angle, speed, and
weight of the skater to view the kinetic
energy, potential energy, and friction as
the skater moves
The learners can also build tracks, ramps,
and jumps on different planets in space
to see the difference from Earth

Energy Skate Park: Evaluation

This role-playing game can be played at
https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/energy-skate-park. This a great
game that allows the students to become digital scientists. This is an
interactive game that helps the learners understand kinetic energy,
potential energy, and friction that occurs within a skate park. This is a
great simulation because it connects science to the real world and
allows the students to make connections. The students are even able to
see the difference in energies and friction on different planets within our
solar system.

Mind Games

Definition: a series of deliberate actions or responses planned for

psychological effect on another, typically for amusement or competitive
advantage

Examples:
Hopscotch
Magnets Game
Online Sudoku

Hopscotch
Downloadable to iPad from
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/hopsco
tch-coding-for-kids/id617098629?mt=8#

Learners are able to be creative by

creating mini-games, drawings, miniwebsites, interactive patterns, and so
much more
Learners experience inquiry-based learning
Rigorous and can be connected to the ISTE
standards

Hopscotch: Evaluation
This mind game, Hopscotch, is a free app for iPads and can be
downloaded from the app store or at
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/hopscotch-coding-for-kids/id6170986
29?mt=8#
. This mind game is a great way for learners to show their creativity
through digital works. They are able to create interactive games,
drawings, mini-website, and so much more and can share them with
their peers. Hopscotch is a fun way to get students comfortable with
coding and creating online.

Magnets Game
Digital mind game from
http://www.learninggamesforkids.com/l
ogic_games/magnets.html

Learners must connect three or more

magnets of the same color so that they
can be destroyed
Learners click to rotate the magnets so
that they opposite poles of the two
pieces are connected

Magnets Game: Evaluation

This mind game, Magnets Game, is a free game that can found at
http://www.learninggamesforkids.com/logic_games/magnets.html. This
mind game is a great way for learners further their understanding on
the connection of magnets. The learners must understand that the
magnets connect when the poles are opposite and repel when the poles
are the same. This game is engaging and keeps the learner focused on
trying to attach three magnets together to win points.

Online Sudoku
Digital mind game from
http://www.kidsmathgamesonline.com/sudoku/f
reesudoku.html

Involves critical thinking that involves

mathematical skills
Incorporates higher levels of problem solving
Learners can complete independently or in groups
How to play:
a. Fill in the 9x9 grid so that every row,
column, and 3x3 box contains the
numbers 1-9
b. No overlap or number in any row,
columns, or 3x3 box

Online Sudoku: Evaluation

This mind game, Online Sudoku, is a free game that can found at
http://www.kidsmathgamesonline.com/sudoku/freesudoku.html. This
game involves critical thinking and mathematical problem solving.
Learners must persevere when playing this game as they have to solve
the puzzle following strict rules of number placement. It is rigorous
game, where students must use their mind and their determination to
finish the puzzle.

Educational
Games for 5th
Grade

Games for 5th Graders

Factor Capture is a great educational game, especially for my 5th
graders because it allows them to work on mathematical skills and
concepts that are part of the South Carolina standards. The game allows
them to play digitally against the computer or against a peer or they
can play using a printed template.
Picture Guess is a great game for my GT Reading students to use to
help them review and study their weekly vocabulary words. The game
would allow them to be creative and would give them opportunities to
think of drawings that would help them remember the definitions of the
words.
Magnets Game is a perfect game that fits with the 5th grade Science
standards for Force and Motion. The students can play this game to
deepen their understanding on how magnets attract and repel.