Prodigy Math Game: Game-Based Learning for the Common Core

March 12, 2015
With more and more educators embracing game-based learning, it’s important to evaluate and choose the program that works best for you and your students.  But with an abundance of educational gaming options available, how does one decide which one is best for them? It’s no secret that there are hundreds of math games out there, many of which are fantastic and are changing the way students and teachers approach math. Be on the lookout for adaptive games that help you differentiate and are engaging to the point that students are likely to play outside of the classroom.

One program that is doing an unbelievable job of gamifying math is Prodigy Math Game. Prodigy is a free, adaptive math game that integrates Common Core math (1st-7th grade) into a fantasy style game that students absolutely love playing. Prodigy takes game-based learning a step further and provides teachers with a powerful set of reporting and assessment tools that allow them to easily identify trouble spots, differentiate instruction, and better manage classroom time. Prodigy has recently expanded its content offering to include skills that align to the Math Florida Standards (MAFS) and the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS).  As a web-based game, Prodigy can be accessed at school and at home on virtually any device.

Over 1,500,000 students and 55,000 teachers use Prodigy for free math practice and it’s easy to see why. Here’s what teachers we spoke to had to say about the program:

"As a 5th grade teacher, I have students working at various grade levels and Prodigy helps in differentiating my instruction to suit their individual needs. I really like using the assignments feature to asses each of my students for both diagnostic and formative purposes. One of the main reasons I choose Prodigy to supplement my students' math learning is that I can choose and align the questions that are asked in the game with the specific strand and expectation that I am teaching in class. When I tell my students that we are having a quiz using Prodigy, they couldn't be more excited to complete it! They absolutely love the game and ask to play it any time they have the chance." Sarah Z, Grade 5 Ontario Public School

“I teach 2nd grade in a dual language classroom in Seattle. I have MANY extremely low and unmotivated students and math is by far their hardest subject. We practiced how to log on and how to begin and I let them soar from there. I have NEVER had such excited students. They love Prodigy Math Game and those who have computer access at home, are spending a great amount of time mastering skills outside of the classroom. I am able to differentiate lessons for my higher students and go back to the basics for my lower students. I am thrilled with the program and love the fact that it’s free!” Shoshanna Cohen, Grade 2 Seattle Public School.

Prodigy is extremely effective at engaging students using an adaptive technology to cater to each individual. Prodigy’s personalized approach quickly identifies gaps in students’ understanding and works with them by pulling them back to prerequisite skills and then scaffolding them forward through more difficult concepts. Prodigy has also built out tools like virtual manipulatives, which teachers can use to walk students through solving certain problems.  Prodigy also has a fantastic assessment feature, which allows teachers to customize content and align the game with what they are teaching in class.

Assignment questions are integrated right into the game so students have no idea they are working on an “assignment”!  The program is very user friendly and makes teaching math easier and more enjoyable.

Sign-up your class for free in less than 2 minutes, and see why teaching math will never be the same!

This post is sponsored by Richie Saltzman.

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