Far Beyond the Bookshelf: Games to Support Literacy and Imagination in the Classroom

Celebrate National Reading Month with Breakout EDU!

National Reading Month is all about inspiring and cultivating a love of reading amongst learners of all ages. This March, it’s not just about turning pages; it’s about fueling a passion for literacy that lasts a lifetime! 

When students are regularly exposed to stories, they become more adept at viewing the world through diverse perspectives. Reading invites students to identify with characters, both similar to and different from themselves. Classroom book talks allow students to share their thoughts and interpretations in a safe way ultimately helping to deepen cultural awareness and empathy. This is all in addition to expanding their vocabulary, building analytical skills, nurturing creativity, and learning the value of literary devices for effective communication skills!  

This year, go beyond the book and bring literature to life with Breakout EDU! With every game designed or played, student excitement about reading grows. 

Here are some ways to celebrate National Reading Month with Breakout EDU:  

Book-inspired games 

For a twist on some of your students' favorite books, try one of these games to bring literature to life! These games take inspiration from well-loved books and invite students to unleash their imaginations while solving puzzles, cracking codes, and unlocking the secrets hidden inside stories they already know and love. 

  1. Breakout of Mr. Lemoncello’s Library: Inspired by the best-selling book series of the same title and designed with the assistance of author Chris Grabenstein, this game starts when the school day ends! Mr. Lemoncello is closing up the library for the day and doesn’t realize there is a group of students quietly working on a project in the back. By the time the students realize what time it is, the library is locked up tight and the alarm is set. Challenge your students to help these kids follow Mr. Lemoncello’s clues and break out without creating havoc!

  2. Goldi Locks Puzzle Pox: Goldilocks has…. Chicken pox?! Oh no! As boring as it is, she needs to stay home and try to feel better. Her little brother is quite the trickster and he covered her room in stickers hoping it would help her feel better. As Goldilocks stares at the stickers she begins to see some patterns emerge. Could her brother have left her some puzzles to solve so she won’t be bored? No doubt your students can help her figure out the clues and decipher what her brother is up to. Author Erin Dealy teamed up with Breakout EDU to design this fun adventure based on her popular book, Goldilocks has the Chicken Pox.   

 
 

For a personalized experience aligned with the books in your classroom, explore our Game Design Studio. Here, you can effortlessly create custom games tailored to any book, opening up endless possibilities for literary exploration!

Author-inspired games 

As part of our commitment to promoting literacy through exciting classroom challenges, Breakout EDU has collaborated with popular children’s authors to bring their captivating stories to life. The following games were created with direct input and guidance from the authors: 

  1. Panic in the Playroom: In “The Almost True Stories of Tytus the Monkey,” author Toby Price introduces readers to tales of adventure that incorporate kindness, chaos, and autism. Drawing inspiration from this story, Breakout EDU and Toby worked together to develop Panic in the Playroom! This game invites students to embark on a thrilling quest to restore order to a chaotic playroom while demonstrating kindness and displaying empathy for others. As they navigate puzzles and challenges, students not only immerse themselves in an imaginary world, they also develop crucial reading skills including comprehension, inference, and analysis.  

  2. Around the World in Digital Ways with Sonia: “Sonia’s Digital World” was written by Breakout EDU Certified Ambassador, Shannon Miller. This tale invites readers on an exciting journey through the digital world. Built upon the themes and adventures found within the book, students are challenged to explore the global landscape through a digital lens. As students decipher clues and solve puzzles inspired by Sonia’s adventures, they enhance digital literacy skills while also strengthening comprehension, vocabulary, and critical thinking. 

 
 
 
 

Student-created games

Let student creativity take control within the Game Design Studio! Whether inspired by a book the class is currently reading or one of their personal favorites, students can take inspiration from the plots, characters, and conflicts they enjoy most to design their own Breakout EDU game to share! It's an exciting alternative to traditional book report projects, empowering students to showcase their understanding of literature in innovative ways.

When students create their own games, they hone critical literacy skills of reading, writing, speaking, and listening. They also go above and beyond to develop higher level skills such as plot analysis, foreshadowing, characterization, and the use of literary techniques. 

Student game design requires planning, storyboarding, backward design, and implementation - all essential elements of literacy. To create a successful gaming experience, students need to begin with the end in mind and develop a plan for how their clues will unfold. They’ll know they did a great job as they watch their peers productively struggle their way to victory! 

Every book is an adventure waiting to be unlocked! Beyond furthering the joy of reading, Breakout EDU fosters the growth of literacy skills, critical thinking, collaboration, and a lifelong love of learning. For a free trial of Breakout EDU, click here.