eduPLAYnation programming combines Game Theory with Learning Science & social studies standards to engage and inspire students. This Game Based Learning is very different from gamification insofar that it inspires intrinsic motivation, versus playing down kids' natural abilities with non-tangible tokens and rewards. This novel method naturally positions learners for deeper understanding based on human connection, both inside and outside the game. If so, learning is stored across the social or prefrontal cortex, a superior storage system as compared to the brain region that banks isolated facts.

JAMs can be played as stand-alone activities by small groups in 50 minutes. Alternately, you can use JAMs to between BRAVE games, as prequels and sequels to bridge board game learning. Each JAM package pdf is 16 pp. and includes (6) ELA extensions, with each extension taking approximately 50 minutes. BRAVE games take 5, 60-90 minute sessions. If you're playing JAMs between board games, you could play multiple JAMs within one era, moving across a series/strand, between board games through US History up to 1877. This means there's enough programming to make one board game and its corelating JAMs last for about one month. This would be a wise approach because while board game learning is engaging, expansive and detailed, it's too fast-paced to pick up every detail. Meanwhile, JAMs offer a deep dive into certain topics that board game learning can't.

JAMs are stacked chronologically in sets of ten by social studies standards. So far, we have 2 series: one series for government, and another for geography. Rest assured, we're creating & testing more JAMs every day! JAMs are intuitive and easy to master. As soon as you’ve facilitated or played one JAM, you’re ready to play ‘em all! This is because every JAM and series is organized identically, but dedicated to a different social studies topic or strand. As you move from series to series, the focus of study shifts, but the historical backdrop remains constant. This framework allows us to build infinite JAMs while keeping you connected to the same overall story arc, testing truths to put history into fuller context. There are two exceptions. FIRST, every JAM 1 is an ice breaker that aims to explore a different commercial game, including its historical context, gaming mechanics, and overall purpose of each series. SECOND, every JAM 10 falls under the schema of “creativity” and uses applied learning to connect JAM 2-9 to distant events, sometimes post-history. Note, all JAMs are played by groups of 4+ and use the same format and procedures.

Each and every JAM reinforces an existing pathway that aims to deepen a student's capacity to build connections through time, including real time.

We use the same set of 10 schemas to set the tone for each JAM, 1-10, regardless of the strand. This way, students can spiral skills needed to recognize, diagnose, and transform dilemmas found in every JAM. Each schema is introduced through one of our ten (10) Pre-Game Warm-Ups. Download & print these booklets double-sided, head-to-head & fold.

Schemas are conceptual frameworks that cue higher order thinking, frame the GUIDING QUESTIONS section found in each JAM, and guide the ELA extensions following each JAM. This means that while we aim to build infinite JAMs, we'll always build them in sets of 10 around the same 10 schemas:

eduPLAYnation aims to bring science into the social sciences in three ways. FIRST, we adhere to Learning Science by putting social studies in the foreground of ELA. Using the Scarborough Reading Rope, we trust we can build on your students' previous work with phonics, word recognition, and background knowledge to build their vocabulary, language structure, reasoning and literary knowledge. SECOND, this Game Theory application, called 'repeated games,' studies how interdependent players make decisions in dynamic settings based on set of constraints (laws) and a number of variables. THIRD, players as scientists are tasked with following scientific protocol and recording data flowing from a controlled setting.

Just like reading & writing, Elephanta Education believes teaching and learning are reciprocal tasks. We don’t preach inclusivity and civility, our method design hinges on it! In truth, humans survive and indeed THRIVE on belonging—to families, friends, and primary cultures. But not to the exclusion of "other." Learning about and collaborating with people outside our immediate circles deepens our sense of self, provided we know who we are at our core, and we know how to set boundaries. This starts with learning how to manage the chain event of emotions, thoughts and actions. Our games break that down every step of the way! To start, our novel design method ensures every player takes responsibility for group learning, meaning each student plays a key role strengthening the group's overall capacity to build context, increase perspective and assess complexity. Next, each text relies on empathy to cue cognition, asking students to consider WHO, WHERE, WHAT, WHEN, HOW, and WHY. Taken together, gaming hinges on recognizing and honoring the subjective, our inherent humanity, without every losing track objective facts. This means students are able to successfully compare & contrast different viewpoints without losing track of their personal identity.