Creating a thriving school culture isn’t a one-time initiative—it’s an ongoing effort built on trust, connection, and shared experiences. That message came through loud and clear during our recent webinar, Building a Thriving School Culture, the first in Breakout EDU’s 2025 leadership webinar series.
Every teacher has those moments. The ones that stick with you, that remind you why you chose this path. During Teacher Appreciation Month, we’re spotlighting a few of those feel-good moments that remind us what makes educators truly extraordinary. These stories aren’t about awards or accolades. They’re about heart, connection, and the kind of magic only teachers can create.
The school year’s winding down, and summer break is on the horizon! We’ve teamed up with educators to bring you real, classroom-tested ideas to keep students engaged in those final weeks. From creative book report alternatives to unforgettable family share night activities, these Breakout EDU projects will spark critical thinking, collaboration, and lasting memories. No matter your grade level or subject, you’ll find inspiration to end the year on a high note.
Traditional test preparation methods, such as rote memorization and repetitive practice tests, often fail to engage students meaningfully or develop the skills they need to succeed in assessments. To truly prepare students, schools can focus on building critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, and confidence—skills that not only improve test performance but also set students up for long-term success.
One powerful tool that helps cultivate these essential skills is Breakout EDU. This innovative, game-based learning platform transforms classrooms into engaging educational challenges, requiring students to work collaboratively to solve puzzles, analyze clues, and apply content knowledge in a fun and engaging way. By integrating Breakout EDU into classroom lesson plans, schools can enhance student engagement while reinforcing the skills and content necessary to become strong, strategic test-takers.
In this episode of Game ON!, host Adam Bellow chats with Jesse Lubinsky,
Education Evangelist at Adobe, about his journey from tech consultant to educator
to edtech leader. Jesse shares insights on the power of creativity in education, the
impact of technology on learning, and how gaming can transform the classroom
experience. He dives into the importance of finding joy in work, taking risks, and
building strong connections. Plus, they explore AI’s role in creativity and how
educators can empower students with innovative, accessible tools.
In this episode of Game ON!, host Adam Bellow chats with Ann Brucker, Director of Games at Breakout EDU, about her journey from 4th/5th grade teacher to game developer. Ann talks about creating Breakout+ educational point-and-click adventure games. She shares about the challenges, triumphs (1M game plays and counting!), and lessons learned along the way. She also offers advice on embracing adventure, learning from failure, and staying curious.
Join us in celebrating Computer Science Education Week, taking place from December 9–15, 2024. This annual event is all about inspiring K-12 students to explore computer science, advocating for equity in computer science education, and celebrating the remarkable contributions of students, teachers, and partners shaping the future of technology.
In a world where engaging students and meeting curriculum standards are often at odds, Breakout EDU’s Lesson Content Games bring fresh possibilities to classrooms. Lesson Content Games are designed to deliver standards-aligned learning experiences that captivate students and provide teachers with powerful tools for reinforcement and assessment. These interactive games add excitement to lessons, turning key concepts into hands-on learning.
Breakout EDU’s wildly popular Breakout+ games recently surpassed 1 million plays, just a month before the games’ first anniversary. The Breakout+ games have sparked the imaginations of teachers and students around the world and many have wondered if they might be able to create their own Breakout+ game on our platform someday. I sat down with Ann Brucker to answer this question and to get the inside scoop behind the making of these captivating games.
Halloween is in the air - and on every kid’s mind! Rather than fight the excitement, embrace “spooky season” and treat your students to Halloween-themed learning opportunities with Breakout EDU’s Puzzle-tober activities and resources.
We’re excited to introduce a brand-new game type on the Breakout EDU Digital Platform. Each standards-aligned Lesson Content Game begins with a short video lesson followed by a series of puzzles designed to reinforce key concepts. This format gives students the chance to immediately apply what they’ve learned by solving puzzles, while providing teachers with a powerful tool to assess understanding and reinforce learning.
In this episode of GAME ON, host Adam Bellow speaks with innovative educator Dan Ryder about his journey in education, the evolution of customized learning, and the importance of creativity and design thinking in the classroom. They discuss the impact Dan’s teachers have had on his life and the role of games in learning. Dan shares valuable advice for both new and seasoned teachers, emphasizing the need to lean into joy and create engaging experiences for students.
Imagine a typical day in your classroom. You are working hard to keep your students engaged and focused on the lesson, but you can’t help but notice their participation is lukewarm. Your teacher super senses tell you that something is not quite hitting the mark in your lesson plan. It’s time to shake things up.
In this episode of GAME ON, host Adam Bellow sits down with Jed Dearybury, an Educator, Author, Illustrator, and PLAYOLOGIST! They discuss favorite childhood games and drawing inspiration from Peter H. Reynolds, the beloved author and illustrator of “The Dot”. Jed talks about the power of play in his own life, overcoming obstacles and finding his true self, and the joy of sharing fun with others. Jed’s passion for teaching and his desire to equip, encourage, and empower others using creativity, laughter, and hands-on fun shines through in this conversation.
Fall is a whirlwind of preparation and excitement! It’s that time of year when students and teachers alike get the back-to-school butterflies. There’s no better feeling than meeting your new students for the first time - but the realities of starting again with establishing classroom management procedures and adjusting lesson plans can feel overwhelming.
In this episode of GAME ON, Host Adam Bellow interviews Jennifer Gonzalez, the brilliant mind behind Cult of Pedagogy. Jennifer, a former middle school English teacher, has transformed the educational landscape with her influential online platform. She shares her remarkable journey from the classroom to creating a vital resource for educators, highlighting the importance of building a supportive, growth-minded teaching community. Tune in to hear her inspiring story and practical advice for teachers!
At Breakout EDU, we believe that professional development should be enriching, actionable, and FUN! Our second annual Camp Breakout EDU webinar series is designed to equip educators with the tools and strategies they need to supercharge student engagement and turn classrooms into dynamic learning environments.
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![Beyond the Book Report: End-of-Year Activities to Engage Students [10 Classroom-Tested Ideas]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5501c7b2e4b00bf48b5640ca/1744394941568-UKGQOEL5LNJYAK34XMBQ/Blog_OpenHouse1.jpg)
