Episode 52: The Power of Playing Games in the Classroom

Let's have some FUN!!
 
Today’s show was so much fun to record and it just so happens to be all about having fun! On this episode, we are chatting with Nicole Manley from Teaching in a Top Knot about how to implement game playing in a special education classroom. Nicole shares all the pros of playing games with your students from...learning social & emotional skills to incorporating content to teaching those life long lessons of how to be a good loser and a graceful winner.

And then she also gives us tips of how to address some of the challenges that come up with game playing like managing student behaviors during this more unstructured time, how to pay for the games in your classroom and what to say to others when they tell you you’re students can’t be learning because they’re playing.

After recording the show, I got to thinking about how playing board games with kids at home is most likely a lost art in a lot of families because of technology. Kids gravitate to those fast paced, instant gratification activities like video games and phone apps instead of old-fashioned board games and card games, but there are only so many skills you can learn while engaging in technology.

That's why implementing game playing within your classroom is so super important!

Nicole shares with us...

• What role playing games in the classroom has
• The social & emotional benefits
• Challenges teachers might face as they implement game playing in the classroom
• How to get set up and stock your game closet
• How to support academic content through the use of game playing
• And MORE!!

Tune in to hear all about the benefits of game playing in the classroom!

Nicole was named Teacher of the Year for her district by the local Lions’ Club.  She was also recognized as Outstanding Teacher by the PTA and as a leader for individuals with disabilities by GASELPA.  Nicole is active in special education reform at the district level and is a charter member serving on the Special Education Advisory Committee where she helped to create her district’s Special Education Manual. Nicole is responsible for single-handedly getting her school recognized as a Unified Champion School by Special Olympics Southern California.  As part of this program, she hosts an annual Abilities Awareness Week on her campus.  A week-long event that includes lunch activities, classroom learning, unified games and sports and raffles.  This event receives support not only from teachers, families and administration but also from local businesses.

You can connect with Nicole on Instagram

And check out her TPT store to find resources to support the games in your classroom

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