Introduction

Hi and welcome to my blog! As you probably already know, this is a blog about how games can help kids with education in the classroom. I chose only five games. But there are lots more educational games out there. I would recommend actually playing these games. I've played all of them. Just remember, even though games are educational, doesnt mean that they cant be fun!

Bibliography:

Bulbanews.com	pokemon piece
Kingsisle blogs	wizard101 piece
Kingsisle Entertainment(on youtube)	Wizard101 peice
Bee M(Youtube)	Plants vs Zombies piece
wordpress.com	Plants vs Zombies piece
Brain trainning games at Miniclip.com	Miniclip piece
minecraftworld.wordpress.com,lostbutterfly92.deviantart.com,jpeg.raptr.com,jpeg.dibojango.net,	pictures

Minecraft

Ok. I'm excited for this one. Minecraft is probably my favorite out of all of these games. Alright, so if you're a downer on Minecraft and you hate it, and right now your thinking,'I'm gonna leave this stupid blog. All its gonna talk about is Minecraft. And I hate Minecraft' than you better stick around for this. After you here what I have to say, you'll probably change your mind. First off, Minecraft requires imagination, and risk-taking. In Minecraft, you have the run of the world, you are able to shape your destiny, and lots of other things. Minecraft lets you interact with others. You are able to express your creativity, set your own challenges(and exceed them). It builds your confidence, your team building skills, communication, and collaboration skills. Minecraft gives you a mathematics application, and you use your metacognition, reflection, and self-asses skill. And keep this in mind. In Minecraft, your success is always attainable.

Question:Do you think that Minecraft is something that can be incorporated into a classroom as an educational subject?
Please leave me an answer to the question in the comments!
Youtube video on minecraft education

Wizard101

Wizard101 is a very popular game that lots of kids play and love. You go around Wizard City and lots of other worlds going on quests. There are lots of extra perks in Wizard101 including pets, gaming with friends, chatting, stores, extra gear and lots more! Some people say that Wizard101 is stupid, but I say that its a great game! Wizard101 has its own level of education. There are numerous reports of player's math, reasoning, spelling, grammar, and reading skills improving. Its because there are a lot of parts in Wizard101 that require school related skills. The card game game behind Wizard101, is a giant mix of statistics that the players eventually learn. They are taught to reason out solutions, to understand which combinations of spells lead to the best out come, and to solve problems. And even though Wizard101 is not an art game, it inspires creativity and lots of kids to submit artwork and stories that are inspired by the game.
Here are some Wizard101 commercials that might spark an interest!-Wizard101 com.1,Wizard101 com.2,Wizard101 com.3,Wizard101 com.4
Question: Do you play Wizard101? And if you do, what is your favorite or least favorite thing about it?
Please answer the question in the comments

Here's some Fan Art!

Pokemon

Ok. Now we have an interesting one here. Pokemon is loved by lots of kids, and I bet that those kids would like to play Pokemon more, but have no time because of school. Well, now there's a possible solution! Incorporating Pokemon into the classroom. It's not actually that strange if you think about it; Pokemon inspires creativity in children. And can be used in many different ways. For example, it can be used in science for the learning of evolution, habitats, and lifestyles of an animal! And not only can it be incorporated into science; but it can be utilized in math, reading, writing, art, computers, and social studies! Pokemon also gives children an idea to write about. Because when children write about what they love, they become better writers.
Here is a website containing lesson plans incorporating Pokemon-http://www.masterthescience.org/
Question: What is your favorite Pokemon?
Please leave me an answer in the comments!

Miniclip

Miniclip is a website that has lots of different types of games. They have action games, Halloween games, sports games, and more! One of the many categories is brain training. There are many games in the brain training in section. Here are just a few...

• First off, there is Anagram Magic. Anagram Magic works on your vocabulary and spelling.
• Then there is Word Sailing. Word sailing works on your vocabulary and wit, it also helps with improving your cleverness.
• Next we have 4444. 4444 is a puzzle game that helps with critical thinking and cleverness.
• Now we have Trivia Machine. Trivia Machine gives you three options: elementary, scholar, and genius. After that, it gives you multiple choices. From television, to arts and literature. It is kind of like minute. This game help you in critical thinking.
• The next game is Word Vine. Word Vine is a game that gives you puzzles and words. You have to make a 'vine' connecting one word to another. Word Vine helps with metacognition of words that have things in common. It requires critical thinking.

There are a lot more educational games on Miniclip. I recommend visiting it!

Question: What do you think the most educational game on Miniclip is?
Please leave an answer in the comments!

Plants vs Zombies

Plants vs Zombies is a game that you plot different plants to protect yourself from the invading zombies. Even if the game does seem stupid, and pointless, it does have a lot of educational perks. For example, when you pass each level, you gain a new plant. But since you only have 6-8 slots, you have to plan which plants to use. After every 6-9 levels, it will change scenery, and you will only be able to use certain plants. All of these extra perks  require math skills, decision making, critical thinking, resource management, land use, and strategy. Every single one of these skills, you learn in school. And because this game requires these skills, you will get to practice them frequently!

Here is a link to an example video that demonstrates the game-http://youtu.be/yo4tiX0lH6g
Question: What do you think the most educational game is in this blog?
Please answer question in comments!