LEVEL UP YOUR PLAYFUL PEDAGOGY
Join us on a teaching adventure of a lifetime!
In classrooms around the globe, teachers hunger for strategies that can inspire authentic engagement, while young minds yearn for a new world of learning where they can become the hero. We crave choice. Mastery. And a clear sense of purpose.
Fully Engaged is a fresh and fast-paced study of how teachers can inject curiosity, wonder, and excitement into any classroom. It’s packed with student-centered strategies precision engineered for young minds. Discover how your pedagogy can leverage the science of serious engagement to inspire students of any age to achieve the impossible, and learn how you can transform your teaching through intentional, student-centered course design to create classrooms that are truly the stuff of legend!
Chapter 1.1
Two Word Check In
Start every class with connection using Two Word Check-In! Inspired by Brené Brown’s work on empathy, this quick and powerful routine invites students to name their emotions in just two words—without overthinking or judgment. This ready-to-use classroom template now includes interactive twists and creative extensions, like stepping into the mindset of historical figures, scientific concepts, or even abstract ideas. Whether it’s a daily ritual or a fresh way to spark discussion, this simple check-in builds emotional awareness, deepens understanding, and fosters meaningful classroom connections.
Chapter 1.2
Blackout Poetry
Unlock creativity and dig a little deeper with Blackout Poetry! This engaging activity transforms existing texts into powerful, original poems by strategically blacking out words to reveal hidden meanings. Whether analyzing literature, reviewing content, or exploring artistic expression, students will sharpen critical thinking skills while crafting visually striking poetry. With endless possibilities for interpretation, Blackout Poetry turns any lesson into an interactive and thought-provoking experience!
Chapter 1.3
Console Wars
Power up learning with Console Wars! In this high-energy activity, student teams design their own video game covers using ready-made Google Slides templates that mimic real-life game packaging. Blending content knowledge with creativity, students craft compelling titles, taglines, and cover art while summarizing key concepts on the “back of the box.” Whether reviewing a novel, historical event, or scientific breakthrough, Console Wars turns any lesson into an epic battle of creativity and comprehension!
Chapter 1.4
EDflix Student Slideshows
Turn research into a binge-worthy experience with EDflix! In this dynamic activity, student teams become rival production crews, crafting a must-watch docuseries about their unit of study. Using ready-made slideshow templates that mimic a streaming service interface, students design episode titles, summaries, and visuals to bring their research to life. Whether tackling historical movements, scientific breakthroughs, or literary themes, EDflix transforms traditional research into a high-stakes creative challenge—because when there’s an audience to impress, engagement soars!
Chapter 3.1
Choice Board Bingo
Turn your classroom into a dynamic financial challenge! In Coins for Content, students work within a set “budget” to create answers that maximize their learning. Inspired by real-world decision-making, this activity challenges students to prioritize valuable information and make thoughtful trade-offs, all while staying under budget.
Chapter 3.2
Annotation Scramble
Crank up the collaborative fun of reading together with your peers thanks to the Annotation Scramble! In this fast-paced activity, student teams race to annotate a shared text, uncover key ideas, and respond to each other’s insights before time runs out. With a mix of strategy, collaboration, and quick thinking, this game transforms close reading into an interactive competition—because great readers don’t just read, they engage!
Chapter 3.3
Graffiti Pages
Ready to see if your students really “get the picture?” Unleash all sorts of creativity with Graffiti Pages! In this visual thinking activity, students transform their reading into a doodle-filled, idea-packed masterpiece using key quotes, standout moments, and personal reflections. The more you add—sketches, symbols, connections—the stronger your understanding will be by the end of the unit. Let your creativity flow and make your learning stick!
Chapter 3.4
Subject Matter Sudoku
Put your knowledge to the test with Subject-Matter Sudoku! In this strategic review game, student teams work together to complete a grid, filling each square with two unique connections between intersecting concepts. Like a Sudoku puzzle, each idea must fit only where it belongs—challenging students to think critically and make meaningful connections. Give a click to get in the game with printable activity cards and more!
Chapter 3.5
Social Media Smackdown
Step into the fast-paced world of digital influence with Social Media Smackdown! In this creative challenge, student teams take on the role of PR strategists, curating the ultimate social media portfolio for a high-profile “client” from history, literature, or your current unit of study. From crafting viral tweets to designing Instagram-worthy posts and even strategizing Snapchat stories, students will think critically, collaborate, and bring their content to life in an engaging, modern way.
Chapter 3.6
Traps & Treasures
Turn ordinary fact-finding into an unpredictable adventure with Traps & Treasures! In this high-energy close reading challenge, student teams race to uncover key information, but there’s a twist—each group selects a mystery envelope before they begin. Inside, they’ll find either bonus points (treasures!) to boost their confidence or point deductions (traps!) that push them to work even harder. The element of surprise keeps students engaged, while the competitive edge encourages deeper thinking. Who will navigate the traps, uncover the most treasures, and come out on top? Only time will tell—so choose wisely and start the hunt!
Chapter 3.7
Hexagonal Thinking
Unlock deeper connections with Hexagonal Thinking! In this dynamic discussion and review activity, students arrange hexagonal tiles, linking concepts, themes, and ideas in meaningful ways. With no single “right” answer, every connection sparks debate, critical thinking, and fresh insights. Whether analyzing literature, historical events, or scientific principles, students must justify their choices and refine their reasoning as they build an interconnected web of understanding. The result? Engaging, high-level discussions that turn learning into a collaborative puzzle of ideas!
Chapter 4.1
Class is Lava
Turn routine tasks into an action-packed adventure with Class is Lava! Inspired by the hit show Floor is Lava, this high-energy challenge has students “hopping” between activities, completing key tasks, and navigating obstacles—all while racing against the clock. Whether they’re watching a video, taking a quiz, or tackling a reflection prompt, students choose their own path and work together to stay in the game. But beware—if a team stumbles, they’ll have to “rescue” each other before moving forward! With built-in choice, collaboration, and movement, Class is Lava transforms your everyday syllabus into a fast-paced, engaging experience.
Chapter 4.2
Pardon the Interruption
Bring the energy of sports talk shows into your classroom with Pardon the Interruption slideshows! Inspired by the rapid-fire format of primetime sports coverage, this presentation style keeps students engaged, focused, and on their toes. A progress-tracking ticker at the bottom of each slide helps students see what’s ahead, while a countdown timer ensures discussions stay fast-paced and dynamic. Whether you’re running a debate, reviewing key concepts, or moving through lesson checkpoints, Pardon the Interruption slides add structure, urgency, and excitement to any class period. Just set the pace, hit the timer, and let the game begin!
Chapter 4.3
Two Teams and a Turncoat
Trust is everything in this high-stakes social deduction game! In Two Teams and a Turncoat, students are divided into rival factions, each working together to accomplish their objective—while keeping an eye out for the hidden traitor in their ranks. Inspired by classic party games like Mafia or The Resistance, this classroom-friendly adaptation challenges players to strategize, negotiate, and decipher who’s truly on their side. The catch? Identities are secret, alliances are fragile, and only through clever conversation and well-timed revelations can teams secure victory.
Chapter 4.4
Fantasy Football Draft
Transform your classroom into a competitive arena with the Fantasy Football Draft Google Slides template! This engaging activity allows students to “draft” historical figures, literary characters, or scientific concepts onto their fantasy teams, promoting research, critical thinking, and persuasive skills. Using customizable slides that mirror a real fantasy football draft board, students will present their picks, justify their choices, and strategize to build the most formidable team. Whether you’re teaching history, literature, or science, this interactive template brings a fun, game-like element to your lessons, fostering collaboration and deepening understanding of the subject matter.
Chapter 4.5
Virtual Bike Ride
Imagine hopping onto a high-tech, futuristic bike and setting off on a journey through history, science, or literature—all without leaving your classroom! In this immersive activity, students design their own virtual cycling experience, selecting destinations that bring their learning to life. Whether it’s racing through the Jurassic period, pedaling past the pyramids of Egypt, or navigating the neon streets of a cyberpunk metropolis, this activity turns research into an interactive adventure.
Chapter 4.6
Image Battle Royal
In Image Battle Royale, students engage in a fast-paced, high-energy challenge where they must search for and submit images that best represent a given concept—whether it’s a literary theme, a historical event, or a scientific principle. The twist? Literal thinking won’t always get you the win! Creativity and unique interpretations earn the most points, pushing students to think critically and make unexpected connections. Whether a team submits a wrapped gift to symbolize the Nile River as a “gift” to Egypt or finds a surreal image to represent abstract themes, every round becomes a quickfire exercise in analysis, collaboration, and visual storytelling.
Chapter 4.7
Construction Zone Cage Match
Step into the ultimate engineering showdown, where teamwork, creativity, and structural genius collide! In the Construction Zone Cage Match, student teams work against the clock to design and build the most impressive, durable, and innovative structures using a mix of materials. But there’s a twist—each team must send their best builder into the ring to tackle a surprise engineering challenge, forming an all-star squad that will face off against their own home teams!
Chapter 5.1
Hero Builder
Bring history, literature, or science to life with the D&D-Inspired Hero Builder! This immersive activity transforms students into character creators, rolling dice to assign stats, sketching avatars, and justifying their choices using real-world historical or literary context. With a spiderweb chart guiding their decisions, students craft unique personas that reflect their learning while fostering critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration. Whether building a revolutionary leader, a scientific trailblazer, or a wartime strategist, this engaging template turns research into an epic quest, making background knowledge an adventure rather than an assignment.
Chapter 5.2
Text Quest
Transform your classroom into an interactive storytelling battleground with Text Quest, a Choose-Your-Own-Ed-venture daily debate activity! Each session, students navigate thought-provoking dilemmas tied to your course content, making key decisions that shape the discussion. Whether analyzing historical events, literary conflicts, scientific breakthroughs, or ethical debates, students must justify their choices using evidence and persuasive reasoning. With multiple branching paths and strategic twists, Text Quest keeps students engaged while reinforcing critical thinking, collaboration, and content mastery.
Chapter 5.3
Station 2 Station
Ditch rigid rotations and give students the power to direct their own learning with Station2Station! In this flexible, high-energy format, students select from a menu of content-aligned activities, each designed to reinforce key skills in different ways. Whether engaging in Socratic debates, creating visual explanations, or tackling hands-on problem-solving, teams work at their own pace while staying actively immersed in the lesson. Perfect for differentiation, Station2Station allows students to take ownership of their learning while keeping the classroom buzzing with purposeful engagement.
Chapter 6.1
Treasure Hunt Rubric
Transform student writing into an epic quest with the Treasure Hunt Rubric! This dynamic, adaptive feedback system replaces static grading with bite-sized challenges, allowing students to unlock “gems” as they revise and improve their work. Instead of overwhelming final scores, students tackle targeted checkpoints, earning one to four gemstones based on mastery. With real-time feedback and self-paced progress, this gamified rubric empowers students to refine their writing step by step, fostering engagement and continuous growth. Say goodbye to the dreaded stack of ungraded essays—this system keeps students actively improving in real-time!
Chapter 6.2
Google Forms Feedback
Expedite your grading workflow with the 15-Minute Google Forms Feedback system! This powerful approach streamlines narrative comments and personalized feedback, allowing teachers to provide targeted insights in record time. By using a simple, pre-filled Google Form, you can generate individualized feedback with just a few clicks—no more drowning in endless comment writing! Students receive actionable suggestions, compare first drafts to revisions, and engage in metacognitive reflection. Whether for projects, progress reports, or daily assignments, this efficient system ensures every student gets meaningful, growth-focused feedback in minutes.
Chapter 6.3
Single Point Rubric
Revolutionize student feedback with the Single-Point Rubric—a streamlined, student-friendly alternative to traditional grading rubrics. Instead of overwhelming learners with rigid scoring grids, this approach highlights core expectations while leaving space for “Glows” (strengths) and “Grows” (areas for improvement). By focusing on meaningful, personalized feedback, students gain a clearer sense of their progress and specific ways to improve. Whether assessing writing, projects, or presentations, this adaptable rubric encourages reflection, growth, and a mastery mindset. Ditch the nitpicky point breakdowns and embrace a feedback system that actually moves learning forward!
