SeeSaw Logic

SeeSaw Logic
Publisher: Yahoo! Inc.
Released: 2010
Game Type: Puzzle

Summary: This game uses logical thinking skills in order to determine which shape is the heaviest out of a group of shapes that are placed on balances.  The picture above shows a higher level puzzle in which the player has to use the process of elimination in order to decide which shape is the heaviest.  Just because the pyramid is heavier on one scale, does not mean the the pyramid is the heaviest shape overall.  At the beginning level of the game there is only one scale with one object on each end.  The player should be able to solve this problem easily by selecting the shape that is touching the ground.  During the game the player can keep track of their points and how long it takes them to correctly solve a problem.  This game provides the player with an intrinsic motivation of trying to beat their score each time.  Once a level is completed the problems become more difficult as more points are earned.   

Educational Link:  This game has great potential of teaching kids how to use logic in order to solve problems.  When a student is playing this game they have to think about which shapes are heavy compared to others on different balances.  Logic is not only applied to a game like this one, logic is used in many different math, reading, and life problems.  Logical thinking will help students arrive at answers on their own instead of asking for help all of the time.  Students will become more indepedent if they can logically solve problems by theirselves.  This game provides a meaningful practice for logical thinking.   

My Opinion:  I like that this game challenges the players thinking by slightly increasing the difficulty of the problems each time.  It really forces the player to compare objects and think about which one is the heaviest overall.  Also, it has the motivation factor, which will keep players coming back for more.  Players will want to return to the game to try and beat their previous scores.  One downside is that there did not seem to be an ending to the game.  Its important that a game provides closure for the player so they will know how they have done after playing the game. 

1XL Website

Adding
Publisher: Quia Corporation (1XL)
Released: 2010
Game Type: Trivia

Summary: This website provides lot of practice on different math skills. The player is able to choose which skill they would like to practice according to grade level.  The games provide a question and answer format that is timed.  Once again this "game" does not really have a goal for the player or any rewards. The player reads the question and then types in the answer in the answer block. 

Educational Link: This game would provide lots of drill and practice for struggling students in certain concept areas of math.  Many basic math questions like one more, one less, 10 more, and 10 less are assessed during this game.  These basic skills are often difficult to find in the form of a computer game.   

My Opinion:  I do not like this math website because it does not seem to be motivating for the players.  They are just answering questions over and over again.  There is no end.  They would have to select when they want to finish answering the questions.  If a teacher were to take a class to the computer lab in order for everyone to practice these skills through the use of a game, the students would be bored of the game very quickly.  I have noticed that my students like to see motivating visual rewards on the computer, or at least a level change to know they are making progress.  Games that provide drill and practice tend to get old very quickly to young learners. 

Map It!

Map It
Publisher: Playkidsgames.com
Released: 2007
Game Type: Trivia

Summary: This "game" is called Map It.  I put the word game in parenthesis because I would expect that there be a purpose while playing and some type of reward.  This program simply allows students to type in locations around the world, and then an arrow will locate that place on the map.  There is not much gaming invovled for a site that is called playkidsgames.com.

Educational Link:  This program would be helpful for students who are learning the location of different states, cities, and countries around the world.  During a geography lesson it would be nice to have this program open on the computer.  When students have questions about the location of different places, they would be able to go to the computer and look up the location themselves by typing it in.  Map It could assist them with their learning of the location of different places around the world, instead of the teacher simply showing them where it is.   

My Opinion: In terms of this program being called a "game" I was pretty disappointed when I first opened the link to the game.  It is not game-like at all.  There is not a challenge or a purpose.  It is more like a reference for students to use to find locations around the world.  This tool would be helpful when searching for unknown destinations.  However, I would not consider it a game.   

Math Lingo

Math Lingo
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
Released: 1995
Game Type: Puzzle

Game Summary: This game provides the player with a picture of a math problem on the left side.  Then in the middle of the screen are 9 different answers in boxes.  The player has to choose the correct answer.  The answers are in the form of math vocabulary that students should use when solving math problems.  To answer the problem the player clicks the correct box.  Each time the player gets an answer correct a picture covers the box they choose.  The player wins by lining up 3 pictures, similar to a Tic-Tac-Toe board.   

Educational Link: Many times its difficult to get students to use math vocabulary words.  This game provides young learners with the chance to use math words while reviewing problems and concepts they may have already learned. 

My Opinion: I really like this game because students do not use math words enough at an early age.  This game forces them to use math vocabulary to solve problems.  The review aspect is also appealing to me as an educator because students always need ways to review previously taught concepts.  This game would be a great warm-up for a math class during a unit review depending on the concepts that have been taught. 

Spelling and Vocabulary Matching

Spelling and Vocabulary Matching
Publisher: Houghton Miffline
Released: ?
Game Type: Puzzle

Game Summary: This game allows students to practice matching sounds from words with pictures.  The player will click on the boxes under the sea and match the beginning letter of the words to the beginning sound of the picture.  Once they have made all the matches they get a visual reward!

Educational Link: This is a great way to have young readers practice letter and sound correlations during reading.  This game would be a great warm-up for a small reading group. 

My Opinion: I like that this games gives the player a chance to time themselves while making the letter/sound matches.  It is intrinsically motivating when they have to beat their own times.  Also, I like the words and pictures that are displayed for the students to see.  ESOL and ELL students would really benefit from a game like this.

The Ruler Game

Ruler Game
Publisher: The Kid Zone
Released: 1998
Game Type: Trivia

Game Summary: This games provides students with the opportunity to answer questions that involve measurement.  To answer a question the player has to move the red arrow to the correct measurement on the ruler.  This game would be good for students in 3rd grade and up who are learning about measurement conversions.

Educational Link: Ruler measurement conversions

My Opinion: I like that this game gives students the chance to answer questions about what they are learning about rulers.   Measuring different objects around a room can become boring after a while.  By having the students use this game as a warm-up for converting different measurements would be a very engaging activity. 

Crazy Moves

Crazy Moves
Publisher: General Mills
Released: 2010
Game Type: Life Simulation

Game Summary: During this game the player gives commands to the Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal character.  The commands have to be verbs that are one word.  Then the Cinnamon Toast Crunch character will perform the command.

Educational Link: Teaching Verbs

My Opinion: I like that this game would give my students practice with using verbs.  Crazy Moves would also be helpful for ESOL and ELL students because they would not only be using the words, but they would get to see them in action too.  A downfall is that some words you type in do not work.  There may be limited verbs you can use with the game.

Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?

Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader
Publisher: Dr. Jeff Ertzberger, Watson School of Education at UNCW
Release Date: ?
Game Type: Trivia

Game Summary:  I discovered Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? on a website entitled PowerPoint Games . Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? is a Powerpoint game that can be formatted and edited to fit the needs of your students and curriculum content in your classroom.  Once the game is modified for the students in the class they can play individually on a computer to answer questions and click through the slides, or you could play the game as a whole class.  The game can be modified by typing in your own questions in the individuals slides and then they are already linked back to a main screen in which you write the answers.  The students would be quizzed on trivia type questions about the subject are they are studying.  There is music already added to the game and it is very engaging for young learners, because as we all know any students younger than 5th grade wants to be smarter than the 5th graders!

Educational Links: Any math concept or comprehensive unit would work very well when implemented with this game.  Specific questions can be asked about a topic, for example Geometry, time, money, and measurement would be great topics to add to this PowerPoint game.  Science and Social Studies reviews would be a great way to use this game during a whole group lesson.  A science review on the water cycle, or rocks, sand, and soil would be engaging while using this game.  In social studies a review on U.S. history or Native American would be enticing as well.

My Opinion: I love PowerPoint games! All of the games from the above link are great for comprehesive reviews in any subject area and are engaging for students.  The music is the best part!  The kids will actually feel like they are on the game show.  I used a Jeopardy game last year that was similar to Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?, and my kids loved it.  So I'm sure my kids will love this game too.