eduPLAYnation is a Game Theory application called "repeated games" that puts social studies standards into the foreground of literacy instruction. Unlike gamification that depends on external rewards to incentivize participation, this Game Based method depends on human connection to spark skilled reading, healthy dialogue, and creative problem solving. Our goal is simple: to support learning conversations that foster higher order thinking. If so, learning is stored across the social or prefrontal cortex, a superior storage system as compared to the brain region that stores rote learning and isolated facts.

JAMs can be played by small groups as stand-alone activities in 50 minutes. Alternately, small groups can play JAMs between BRAVE games as prequels and sequels to bridge board game learning. Each JAM is available for D/L as a 16 pp PDF & includes (6) ELA extensions, including explicit writing instruction. Extensions take approximately 30 minutes. For large group problem solving, BRAVE board games offer FIVE 60-90 minute activities, to be played consecutively. If a class is playing JAMs between board games, you could play multiple JAMs within one era, moving across a series/strand to prepare and/or summarize gameplay's supporting events. Taken together, one board game and its corelating JAMs could provide about one month of integrated ELA activities. This is wise because students love board games for their fast-paced, interactive storytelling, but JAMs offer deep dives into related topics, plus time to consolidate learning. A method that board game learning alone can't accomplish.

JAMs are stacked chronologically in sets of 10 according to social studies standards, creating historical context from 1492 to 1876. To date, we're offering TWO series: 1 for government; another for geography. With 4 viewpoints/JAM, it's clear we're dedicated to incorporating as many voices into our nation's historical narrative as possible! Complexity noted, JAMs are intuitive and easy to master. Plus, every JAM and every series is organized identically, meaning as soon as you’ve facilitated or played one JAM, you’re ready to play ‘em all. The best part is that as your class moves from JAM to JAM, or from series to series, students naturally anticipate fitting new pieces into the puzzle. Whereby each JAM shifts focus, but the historical backdrop remains constant. This allows us to build infinite JAMs whilst keeping players connected to the overarching narrative. There are two exceptions. FIRST, every JAM 1 is an ice breaker that explores a different commercial board game, including its historical context, gaming mechanics, and relationship to the strand. SECOND, every JAM 10 falls under the schema of “creativity” and calls on applied learning to connect JAM 2-9 to distant events, or post-history.

Every JAM reinforces emerging pathways to deepen knowledge and make connections through time. Including real time.

We use Pre-Game Warm-Up "booklets" to anchor learning by framing each JAM with a schema. This gives students QT to practice recognizing, framing, and transforming dilemmas found in each JAM. Download & print double-sided, head-to-head to fold into a snappy little book.

Schemas are frameworks that support learning in FOUR ways, to: 1) keep students grounded; 2) cue higher order thinking; 3) frame GUIDING QUESTIONS found in each JAM pdf package; and 3) guide ELA extensions. Taken together, we're dedicated to putting tightly-scoped, inquiry led programming at your fingertips. Because we think learning should be fun! And deeply humanizing.

eduPLAYnation brings science and scientific principles into the social sciences in THREE ways: 1) We adhere to Learning Science by putting social studies in the foreground of ELA. In line with the Scarborough Reading Rope, JAMs build on students' previous work with phonics, word recognition, and background knowledge to build on vocabulary, language structure, reasoning skills and literary knowledge. 2) JAMs are a Game Theory application called 'repeated games' that systematically study the role trust plays in conflict and cooperation. 3) Players follow scientific protocol by creating a model of the past to reveal, test, and analyze data in a controlled setting.

Just like reading & writing are reciprocal tasks, we believe students should play teaching & learning roles. This means we don’t preach civility & inclusivity, our method hinges on it. Humans survive, in fact humans THRIVE on belonging—to families, friends, and primary cultures—but not to the exclusion of "other." In fact, collaborating with people outside our immediate circles deepens our sense of self, and others, provided we know who we are at our core. This demands we learn how to set boundaries starting with identifying emotions, managing thoughts and controlling actions. Lucky you, JAMs break it down every step of the way! To start, every player takes responsibility for group learning since each student plays a key role building context, increasing perspective and assessing complexity. Each text relies on empathy to cue cognition, asking students to consider WHO, WHERE, WHAT, WHEN, HOW, and WHY. Sure, gaming hinges on recognizing the subjective, our inherent humanity, but only insofar as it motivates players to track facts. Taken together, gameplay compares & contrasts viewpoints, as opposed to digesting one narrative that risks losing sight of the bigger picture.