Math Made Fun: Breaking Free From Math Anxiety

Breakout EDU helps relieve anxiety by transforming traditional math instruction into low-stress, high-excitement activities where kids can engage with content in a relaxed and fun way. Gamified, hands-on challenges empower students to approach math with curiosity and enthusiasm instead of dread! 

Breakout EDU Spotlight: Jodi Carthron

Meet Jodi Carthron, Gifted Resource Teacher at Rockhill Elementary in Stafford, Virginia! Discover how she's igniting excitement in her K-5 students with Breakout EDU, from immersive Breakout+ activities to the Game Design Studio, and more. Jodi shares insight on how her students are thriving with Breakout EDU, gaining confidence, and embracing the productive struggle.

Far Beyond the Bookshelf: Games to Support Literacy and Imagination in the Classroom

National Reading Month is all about inspiring and cultivating a love of reading amongst learners of all ages. This March, it’s not just about turning pages; it’s about fueling a passion for literacy that lasts a lifetime! 

This year, go beyond the book and bring literature to life with Breakout EDU! With every game designed or played, student excitement about reading grows. 

Here are some ways to celebrate National Reading Month with Breakout EDU:  

The Science of Inclusion: Breakout EDU Ignites Passion for Learning!

The participation of women and girls in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) is not just a matter of equality - it is critical for forward progress!

We believe diverse perspectives bring an unparalleled richness to scientific inquiry. From tackling climate change to finding cures for the incurable, the International Day of Women and Girls in Science (IDWGS), celebrated each year on February 11, is an opportunity to promote full and equal access to, and participation in, science for women and girls. 

Play-Based Learning: The Benefits of Play in the Classroom

Play is a multifaceted and essential aspect of childhood development and it contributes to a wide range of skill development. At Breakout EDU we believe that education is better when all learners are engaged, working together, and using essential “soft skills” to learn with play. That’s why our games are designed to unify education and fun while also equipping students with the essential skills they need to be successful in, and out, of the classroom. 

Read more for a few research-supported ways learning and play work together to amplify student success.

Breakout EDU Spotlight: Danielle Jackson

What I find most appealing about Breakout EDU is its ability to engage and challenge every student in the classroom. It grants me the flexibility to form diverse groupings, facilitating personalized learning experiences tailored to each individual's needs right when they need it.

Breakout EDU: A Versatile Classroom Tool for Engaging Instruction

Finding high-quality tools to support diverse classroom needs can feel a lot like searching for hidden treasure. Thankfully, Breakout EDU understands the importance of versatility in the classroom and we are excited to share how our platform has recently expanded to meet the unique requirements of every learning environment. Breakout EDU is constantly evolving to meet the needs of teachers and students, so be on the lookout for new games, challenges, and content beyond the options shared here. 

From STEAM to language arts, elementary to high school, and everything in between, here are 5 ways Breakout EDU is here to help you reinforce key concepts, foster collaboration, or simply insert some fun into lesson plans:

A Look Back at 2023 with Breakout EDU

Over the past year, the Breakout EDU team worked hard to transform the way students play, innovate, and learn in the classroom. We listened closely to teachers and implemented their feedback to continually make Breakout EDU a better learning tool while also thinking outside the box to bring learners new features to enhance their experiences. Together, we have raised the bar for educational engagement and empowerment - and we can’t wait to see where this journey will take us in 2024! 

Read more about the 4 ways Breakout EDU transformed classrooms in 2023!

Power Up Instruction with Gamification

At its most basic level, gamification is the infusion of game-like elements into a teacher’s instructional practice. Elements like competition, challenges, and rewards serve to motivate and engage participants. Gamified classrooms are dynamic, interactive spaces where students become active participants in their learning journey which can aid in the promotion of engagement and motivation, increased participation, and supporting social emotional development. 

For teachers looking to turn a traditional classroom into an immersive hub of learning, gamification might be just the ticket to meaningful, impactful fun. For teachers who are just at the beginning stages of implementing gamified lessons or veteran game facilitators, Breakout EDU is an easy-to-use, affordable option to put into play today. 

Game On! New Features for Heightened Engagement

We are leveling up the way Breakout EDU games are played! Designed to add a new layer of challenge, engagement, and fun to game play, we are pleased to introduce carousel games, thrilling gamification upgrades, and updated game player features.

Each of the following updates promise to bring a new level of excitement and ease to teaching and learning with Breakout EDU. Keep reading to break into a whole new dimension of activities. 

Binary Brilliance: A Journey Into Computer Science Week

It’s Computer Science Week! This celebration aims to “inspire students to learn computer science, advocate for equity in computer science education, and celebrate the contributions of students and teachers” (CSEd Week) to this exciting and rapidly changing field! 

At the heart of this week is the Hour of Code, a one-hour introduction to the basics of coding to show that anyone can learn basic programming and, more importantly, to demystify code by demonstrating it’s not as complicated as it may seem.

Like Breakout EDU games, computer science is a gateway to problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity. Together, we can celebrate this important week and get students excited about coding and computer science with fun activities and challenging games. Taking some class time to support student interest in STEAM helps prepare them for college and/or careers - regardless of what age, stage, or grade level they are currently on! 

Breakout EDU Spotlight: Debbie Heinen

I use Breakout EDU in my classroom mostly to review material before a test or as enrichment for students who need an extra challenge. It is a great way to encourage teamwork and problem solving which is a key point of the math curriculum in our district. 

Differentiating Instruction with Breakout EDU 

Classrooms are diverse and dynamic spaces! Each day teachers rise to the challenge of meeting the unique learning needs of their student population. Differentiated instruction is an educational approach that  recognizes students entering classrooms do so with myriad learning preferences, abilities, and backgrounds, and seeks to personalize instruction to meet each student where they are. 

Here, we share the importance of differentiated instruction along with 4 ways Breakout EDU lends itself to providing a differentiated experience for all students - without draining teachers' planning time.

Introducing an Engaging New Way to Turn Learning Into an Adventure

It’s common to grapple with engagement. It’s vital for students to experience - yet sometimes it can present a challenge for teachers. Each day's lesson plan is carefully crafted to include activities designed to heighten engagement in addition to the integration of 21st century and SEL skills, content knowledge, and differentiated approaches to learning. We get it! Educators need more time in a day! 

Game On! Podcast Episode #11 - Connecting the Dots with Peter Reynolds

In this episode of GAME ON, Adam Bellow interviews Peter Reynolds, a creative force who is celebrating the 20th anniversary of his popular book, The Dot. Reynolds is a prolific author and artist, and he and his twin brother run a company called Fablevision. Fablevision has helped organizations like PBS and the Smithsonian scale out their message using storytelling and technology. The episode explores the importance of play, art, and the joy of reading books. Peter Reynolds encourages everyone to jot down their brilliant ideas - whether as a story or a doodle - as an important reminder that everyone can make their mark!

All Aboard the Breakout Express! Simplified Rostering Options Drive Learning Quickly

Educators already love Breakout EDU classroom for the one-click ability to assign games, track student performance, assign badges, and monitor student game creation. Now it is time to say farewell to sharing long URLs or repeating directions to students on how to find a specific game. 

With Single Sign On (SSO), instant class codes, and LMS roster upload options, Breakout EDU classroom makes it simple for educators to get students on board, learning, and having fun each day!

Four Ways to Integrate Breakout EDU Activities Throughout the Year

Breakups aren’t always a bad thing! Students and teachers alike benefit from breaking up lesson activities and content into engaging chunks for students. At Breakout EDU, we believe education can (and should) be interactive and fun for students of all ages. That’s why we offer different activities - to fit the needs, preferences, and schedule of every classroom. 

We are here to help you break up with instructional monotony and reinvigorate curiosity while keeping you informed of student progress towards current year learning expectations. Check out these 4 ways teachers can use Breakout EDU to breakup with boredom throughout a school year: 

Sharing is Caring! School-wide accounts now empower teachers to access a shared game library

It’s no secret the most important work of a school happens in the classroom. Driving student academic growth necessitates access to a wide range of tools to support the diverse learning preferences of your unique student population. By design, libraries are a nexus for sharing ideas and resources - and a well-stocked school library can make a significant difference in driving academic growth. 

Celebrate Math with Easy-to-Integrate Breakout EDU Activities!

Teaching math often involves a wide range of methods, including direct instruction, hands-on activities, and practice to drive student progress towards year-end learning goals. Explaining concepts, demonstrating how to solve problems, and allowing for physical manipulation of objects are core pedagogical practices. 

Students need practice to solidify their understanding, improve their skills, and build the cognitive scaffolding necessary to support them in meeting grade-level standards. Practice means many things: completing worksheets, solving practice problems, or even playing Breakout EDU games!