Author Archives: anaturaleducator

About anaturaleducator

I have taught children and adults of all ages in traditional classrooms and alternative environments across the US, including integrated preschool, a Project-Based Learning charter school, and two science museums. With the advent of the Common Core, educators are inspired to provide interactive activities in their learning environments. Board games are an engaging alternative that allow students to build skills around content.

Pack & Stack

Posted on November 7, 2014 by anaturaleducator

Pack & Stack is super fun game for students of all ages. It has a lot of components, and I recommend having an older or experienced student assigned to decide challenges and monitor play during the game for large groups. … Continue reading →

Posted in Boardgame | Tagged 1-6 players, adding/subtracting practice, ages 7+ independent play, cooperative, fast, fine motor, math, spatial awareness, visual discrimination, wooden | Leave a comment

Monster Mash

Posted on October 23, 2014 by anaturaleducator

The first TBT post has Halloween flavor as well. Children of the 80’s may remember Monster Mash, a loud but fun visual discrimination game. I was lucky to find a $2 copy at an indoor charity yardsale outside Albany, NY. … Continue reading →

Posted in Boardgame | Tagged 1-12 players, ages 2+, cooperative, DIY, fast, independent play, memory, same/different concept, visual discrimination | Leave a comment

Pinterest Link

Posted on October 15, 2014 by anaturaleducator

I am attempting to create boards on Pinterest that will lead you to specific games and resources for educators- visual lists to help you find materials online. Check it out! 2xdiceplayroom on Pinterest

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Robot Turtles

Posted on October 14, 2014 by anaturaleducator

I should have reviewed this game sooner-I ordered my first copy during the Kickstarter campaign (left box) and then advanced order the ThinkFun version (right box) to get the expansion when they picked it up. Super simple idea that kids … Continue reading →

Posted in Boardgame | Tagged 2-8 players, ages 4+, cooperative, DIY, easily modified, left/right concept, logic, mapping, memory, programming, spatial awareness, strategy, tile laying, ~30 min | Leave a comment

Duck Duck Goose

Posted on October 13, 2014 by anaturaleducator

I found this gem at the local thrift store for $3- it even came with the 3AAA batteries needed for the Momma Goose! For preschool game connoisseurs, this is a slightly quieter cousin of Lucky Ducks which I do not … Continue reading →

Posted in Boardgame | Tagged ages 3-5, Batteries required, Chance, colors, cooperative, DIY, fast, matching, Noisy, Preschool, same/different concept | Leave a comment

Sequence

Posted on October 13, 2014 by anaturaleducator

Sequence is a moderately easier to find board game at thrift stores. It is also possible to make DIY versions, and accommodates up to 12 students a time. If you can find 3-4 copies, you have a class set! There … Continue reading →

Posted in Boardgame | Tagged 2-12 players, ages 4+, card game, cooperative, counting, DIY, easily modified, independent play, math, recognizing sets, strategy, visual discrimination | Leave a comment

Fits

Posted on September 30, 2014 by anaturaleducator

FITS may remind you of a certain video-game from your childhood. FITS uses tiles that are shapes made of 3, 4, or 5 squares to test your spatial ability in four levels. It is recommended for ages 8 and up, … Continue reading →

Posted in Boardgame | Tagged 1-4 players, adding/subtracting practice, ages 7+ independent play, components as toys, cooperative, logic, negative numbers, push your luck, spatial awareness, strategy, visual discrimination, ~30 min | Leave a comment

Can’t Stop

Posted on September 19, 2014 by anaturaleducator

According to my designer/developer partner, this is one of the first Euro-stye games from the 70’s. We found it at a local thrift store, but it is an easy DIY. It is a more engaging form of some math games … Continue reading →

Posted in Boardgame | Tagged 2-4 players, cooperative, DIY, easily modified, fast, independent play, logic, math, push your luck, strategy | Leave a comment

Timeline

Posted on September 5, 2014 by anaturaleducator

Timeline is a quick logic card game that relies on the players knowledge of events and ability to reason. There are a few different versions available for $10-$15 each: Inventions, Science & Discoveries, Diversity, and Historical Events. If using this … Continue reading →

Posted in Boardgame | Tagged 2-8 players, Ages 10+, card game, cooperative, fast, history, independent play, logic, science | Leave a comment

PitchCar

Posted on September 2, 2014 by anaturaleducator

Hands down, this is the most popular game in my classroom- for boys and girls. I have had to use a lottery system to make sure everyone gets a turn at choice time! The track is scratched and the car-discs … Continue reading →

Posted in Boardgame | Tagged 2-8 players, ages 4+, cooperative, DIY, easily modified, fine motor, math, physics, wooden | Leave a comment