Category: Education

A Pittsburgh Girl living the California Dream

Posted on October 20, 2014December 17, 2014 by Corinne Marcot-Jones

How does a ‘yinzer’ from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania end up as a marketing intern for a board game company in San Francisco, California? Simple, I was a blonde hair freckle faced girl stuck in the east coast snow and humidity dreaming of California…just like everyone else.

The reality of my California dream came about 7 years ago as I watched my older sister pack her closet, lacrosse stick, and smile as she headed off to play collegiate lacrosse on the West Coast. As the youngest of four, I learned at an early age to follow the footsteps in front of me! Before I knew it, I was 18 years old and signing my life away to play collegiate lacrosse, for my sister’s conference rival, at St. Mary’s College of California.

And how does playing collegiate lacrosse connect to my 2,593 mile journey away from home? Skip over the hundreds of sprints, hours of practice, and preparing pregame speeches and you have a girl studying for a sports management and communications degree. Graduation was approaching and so was the dreaded post collegiate job search. Saint Mary’s College presented me with many opportunities for growth, but connecting with Blue Orange Games after graduation made that 18 year old’s decision to move to California worth it.

The strong Alumni and networking community of St. Mary’s led me to be able to connect with Martin Marechal, Blue Orange Games VP of Sales & Marketing and former student-athlete of St. Mary’s College of California. From there, the interview process for a marketing internship with Blue Orange began and before I knew it the job search was over! I packed my little Honda to the brim and head across country with my Dad.

That brings us to my current destination, Blue Orange Games: a fun and upbeat company that mixes education with fun and creates awesome board games. Board games have always been something that my family used to bring us together, so being able to bring other families the same joy was important to me. But honestly, who wouldn’t love to play board games for a living?! From attending events, to writing text for a game’s box, to managing the company’s Instagram account, I am lucky enough to be working in an environment where I can use my personality, creativity, and writing skills everyday.

Prevent Summer Learning Loss: Play Games to Sharpen Young Minds.

Posted on June 12, 2014July 2, 2014 by Corinne Marcot-Jones

Summer vacation means fun and sun, but it can also be a major learning setback for kids (click here for article). Parents express how summer is the most challenging time to esnsure their kids are productive. Maintaining learning skills can be as simple as incorporating games that strengthen math, language skills, visual perception, and creativity. Although the brain is not a muscle per say, it does benefit from regular workouts to stay sharp. Incorporating educational games into their routine will help ensure that once fall approaches, students will have a much easier time transitioning back into school.

Math Skills

Can Math be fun? Many kids struggle with math, and that struggle can lead to frustration. Introducing them to mathematical concepts through games is a less formal approach that will take some of the pressure off because it’ll be fun! Sumoku is a game that will strengthen addition and multiplication in a simple, yet challenging format. The game is made up of colorful number tiles and a die. After you roll the die, players must spot a combination of numbers which adds up to a multiple of the key number. This sharpens math skills because you need to quickly calculate in your head to come up with the right answer. The game is made up of high-quality tokens, and comes in a travel-friendly bag. Another game that introduces children to addition is Double Shutter. Made up of two columns of movable tiles, the object is to flip down as many tiles as possible. Children will learn how to count by adding up the tiles to match the number on the die. The game can be played alone, or with up to 4 players.

Visual Perception

Visual perception skills are the ability for the brain to process what the eyes are seeing. Kids who struggle with visual perception might struggle to write on a blackboard, or find an object within a busy background. Doodle Quest develops this skill through drawing challenges. Children follow instructions on the quest cards, then complete the quest on transparent sheets. There are 36 quest cards with two separate levels of difficulty, so kids can work up to more difficult challenges surrounded by underwater images. Children will develop the ability to measure visually and develop hand-eye coordination. These skills will help in a range of tasks and assignments that require spatial awareness and fine-motor-skills.

Language Skills & Creativity

Language skills, such as reading and writing, also fall by the wayside during the summer. Reading a book to children, and having them read too, is a great way to spend time together while strengthening this important skill. Tell Tale is a storytelling game which is like a book, but that you and your kids can improvise together! Illustrated cards act as story prompts, sparking your imaginations. You pick a card, or make a storyboard, and spin unique stories together. Tell Tale sharpens creativity and improvisation, while encouraging social play. From a creative writing perspective, you could take out a pen and paper and write down the stories that emerge, developing writing skills along the way.

Many of our games introduce preschoolers to letters, while older kids get a head start with vocabulary. Our most popular game, Spot it!, strengthens language skills in a simple matching game. Summer is a great time to learn a new language, and Spot it! French and Spot it! Spanish are easy introductions. For advanced play, use the word in a sentence, or spell it out without looking at the card. To practice writing, write a sentence using the word, or create a poem with words that rhyme with it. Speedebee is another game that strengthens language skills, but with a spelling feature. The goal is to be the fastest player to create a word based on a few letters on the dice. The fast-paced dynamic develops spelling skills and reaction time, which will come in handy during spelling bees or during in class writing exams.

We look forward to summer vacation for the time off and to be with our loved ones, but summer can also be a time to think creatively about how to engage children’s minds so they don’t fall behind. Most of our games are compact, so it’s easy to bring them along with you on your next vacation. Summertime will still be the most anticipated time of the year for kids, but with the added bonus of discovering fun ways to learn.

Playing Games: a Doorway into Childhood

Posted on May 16, 2014June 17, 2014 by Corinne Marcot-Jones

When I told a friend of mine that I would be working for a company that creates games, she said: “You will be rediscovering childhood!” She was right. Each process of game development takes me through another door to that treasure trove of memories. The past two months have zoomed by as I have immersed myself in play, while learning what it takes to make play happen.

Growing up, I played games too. A few that stand out in my mind are Operation, Monopoly, Scrabble, Snakes & Ladders, and Etch a Sketch. I have this vivid memory of playing Operation with my brother and sister, meticulously handling the tiny tweezers, yet missing the wish bone! I can still hear that high-pitched buzzer go off and seeing the red nose of that naked man glow and all of us bursting into laughter. As I look back at that moment, it dawns on me that playing games is a wonderful way to spend time with loved ones, but there’s something deeper happening: playing games creates memories.

I would never have imagined that later on as an adult, I would be engaging in parallel activities, but with the purpose of testing games that go out to our consumers. It’s curious to see how people react to different outcomes, or see the wheels in their heads turning as they plan their next move. Beyond just being fun, games compel us to think strategically, or in ways other than from our daily activities. It is learning, but with a social component that connects people. Board games are a tried and true format that encourages social interaction. In this fast-paced digital age, there’s no better way to unplug and get together.

Can one create memories? We at Blue Orange are certainly helping to create lasting impressions. I think of kids playing our games, and see just how important that process is. Whether completing drawing challenges with Doodle Quest, or telling stories with Tell Tale, children and parents can play with a purpose.

There is a tendency to perceive playing games as just entertainment, that it’s something to keep little ones busy, but our mission reveals that it’s so much more. Although having fun is a big component, for children, play is a doorway into discovery and creativity. They discover new thought processes, and create a micro-world of their own making. I love rediscovering childhood through their eyes.

Tips for Shaping Gameplay

Posted on April 10, 2014April 11, 2014 by Corinne Marcot-Jones

Remember the joy of opening a present? The visual appeal of the packaging. The anticipation of opening the box. The touch and even the smell of a new toy/game. Now imagine you are a 5 year old child. Multiply those sensations to infinity. Alright, it’s not to infinity but it’s pretty high. The act of opening a new game encompasses a child’s senses. The visual, the touch, and the smell of an newly opened game can make following rules really difficult at first. I know when I’m playing with my 5 year old son that I initially don’t always follow the rules of the game. No need to be frustrated. The experience of teaching your child the game rules can still be fun and a good learning experience.

We recently had a visit from a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Sam Blanco. We are a fan of her blog (www.samblanco.com) and how she adapts play for her students with special needs. She offers some valuable tips on shaping gameplay with your kids.

Tips for Shaping Gameplay

by Sam Blanco, BCBA

Whether you have a child with special needs or you are trying to play games with siblings of different ages, it can be challenging to figure out how to make a game accessible for everyone who wants to play.

Here are a few tips for introducing and teaching new games.

• Allow for exploration. Kids can learn a lot just from freely exploring the materials of a game. Chef Cuckoo is a great example of this, because kids get a kick out of exploring all the different ingredients and putting them into interesting and odd combinations. Pixy Cubes is another great example as kids enjoy free time to create their own patterns with the cubes. Becoming familiar with the materials makes it easier for many learners to focus on understanding the rules, rather than trying to simultaneously understand the rules and the materials.

• Put fewer pieces in play. This simple step can make a huge difference in a learner’s ability to enjoy a game. For example, with Fastrack, instead of having ten discs in play, I might just start with four. Remember the Rule of Three. Before adding a new step or increasing the difficulty level, the child should be able to play the game at the current step three times consecutively with success. With Fastrack, once a learner has mastered playing with four discs, we’ll start playing with six discs, then eight, etc. This means that it might take a while before you’re playing the game completely as designed.

• Additional rules can wait. I frequently introduce a game without introducing all of the rules. For example, with Chef Cuckoo I challenge learners to create the Best Pizza or Worst Pasta, but don’t introduce the “star system” aspect of the game until later. The Rule of Three applies with adding rules, as well.

• Provide prompts when necessary. It can be useful to provide visual or textual prompts to allow your learner to play a game independently. For example, with Double Shutter I sometimes utilize a visual prompt of index cards with all the different addends that can be used to arrive at a specific sum.

• Stack the deck. When introducing card games of any type, I frequently set up the deck with only cards I know the learner can understand and play with. For example, with Speedeebee, I will go through all the cards and remove any that I know my learner cannot respond to based on his/her current skill level. If I’m playing with more than one child who have different skill levels, I’ll create individual stacks of cards and change the rules so that players take turns responding. Over time, as the learner experiences more success with the game, I introduce more challenging cards.

• End the game early. Learners with special needs may have a lower frustration tolerance, so while it may seem counter-intuitive it is often best to end a game at the height of their interest. I’ll also frequently use a timer for games that last a long time, and when the timer goes off we move on to a new activity. Ending a game at the height of interest actually increases the likelihood that the learner will request it again in the future, and as their mastery of the game grows their frustration tolerance will also grow.

Remember that there is great value in playing, even if you aren’t playing the game as designed. The goal is to create opportunities for learners of all skill levels to have fun playing games.

Sam Blanco is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and an ABA provider for children ages 3-15 with autism and other developmental disabilities in NYC. She is dedicated to showing the value of games, play, and technology in special education. You can find much more information on teaching through games at her blog at www.samblanco.com.

From Classroom to Game Room

Posted on March 21, 2014December 17, 2014 by Corinne Marcot-Jones

After graduating with a Creative Writing degree, I envisioned myself being a writer or a teacher, or both. In addition to fine-tuning my craft at San Francisco State, I was an instructor’s assistant for three different creative writing classes, and was an English tutor at the Learning Assistance Center. I could have gone down the literature path and spent my days analyzing prolific texts, and although I love literature, I need to tell stories. I love to write and to share my love for learning with fresh minds, so it’s serendipitous that I found a fit at Blue Orange Games!

As I write copy for new games and select illustrations, I am taken aback by the parallels between what I did as a tutor and what I am working on now. As a tutor, I helped students read and write better while encouraging them to become independent learners. I never thought that I could find similar rewards working for a company, but I have. I am helping kids learn through these games. Had you told me months ago that I would be part of a team creating educational games for children three and up, I would have said, “That’s my dream job!” Although I am not directly working with students, I think of the children who will learn via our games and it’s a similar feeling. When I was interviewed for the position I said to Martin, the director, that I could see myself thriving here because it’s important that my work has an impact. At the end of my first week, I looked over to Brandan’s computer and saw symbols that I chose for a new Spot it! game. I love to think that somewhere, someone, will be playing the games I helped create while learning!

As a tutor, I learned how different activities such as board work, writing prompts, and asking open-ended questions helps students learn by triggering different cognitive functions. I gained a variety of teaching strategies so I could guide students while engaging their attention. It was so rewarding to watch my weekly students become better writers over the semester. Learning encompasses a range of resources and strategies that students can access. I see how our games mold young minds, preparing them for school later on. Reading, for instance, is a challenge for some college students. I wonder if it‘s because they did not learn to read early enough, or were probably never taught reading strategies like annotating in high school. Whatever the reasons, getting a jump start improves your capacity for learning down the line.

The mix of learning with fun is why I loved studying creative writing. In my second semester as an instructor’s assistant, I presented a lecture to a classroom of more than eighty students! My heart beat fast, but then I saw the students’ eyes light up after I gave them my writing prompt. When they turned in their stories, I could tell that my guidance triggered many intriguing tales. For one of the games I’m working on right now, Tell Tale Princess, I am using this talent by choosing characters, settings, and emotions that will trigger kids’ imaginations. My work here mirrors what I accomplished as an IA, only targeted to a younger audience. Although my niece is only two and a half years old, so probably too young to play this game right now, I foresee her creating vivid stories thanks to my image prompts one day!

Educational Games in the Classroom – Pixy Cubes

Posted on January 30, 2014January 30, 2014 by Blue Orange Games

When using educational games as learning tools in and out of the classroom, we encourage teachers and parents to break the rules! With a little creativity, you can turn existing games into a classroom or homework activity that targets the lesson at hand.

Last year, we were fortunate to have a teacher in Pennsylvania with over 20 years experience in elementary school education design lesson plans using our educational games. As a part of an ongoing series of posts, today we will be covering our creative storytelling game Tell Tale.

See previous post on Tell Tale

Pattern Building with Pixy Cubes

About the game:
Pixy Cubes is a versatile game that involves memory, speed and creativity, depending on how you play. The game contains 16 cubes with green, red, yellow, and blue sides—either as solids, half and half, or crescent shapes. Players use the cubes to complete patterns on the challenge and design cards, either in a race or by memory. It’s similar to Tangrams, but in 3D!

Pixy Cubes Educational pattern game

Grade Level Application: Kindergarten

Skills: Math concepts, such as patterning, and attention to detail

Lesson Plan Suggestions:
Small Group: 4 children
# Of Games Required: 1 per group
Noise level: Low

Practice Patterns
Divide up the cubes so all players receive one of each cube pictured below. On a worksheet, there are 4 lines of patterns each with an outline of the next cube. They have to rotate their cubes to find which one fits the pattern and place it on the outline.

Practice Cooperative Play
Divide up the cubes so all players receive one of each cube (see picture above). Then have the students decide on a 16 cube Design Card to recreate the pattern of. Together they have to recreate the pattern using their cubes.

Grade Level Application: 4th

Skills: Math concepts, such as repeated patterns

Lesson Plan Suggestions:
Small Group: 4 children
# Of Games Required: 2 per group
Noise level: Low

Practice Patterning With Mirror Images
Another activity for one student similar to Design Games is to use mirror images to extend the pattern. This pattern is two cubes high and eight cubes long. Students could use four Pixy Cubes to create one of the challenge card patterns. Then they are to extend the pattern with the second set of four cubes being a mirror image of the first four cubes. The third set of four cubes will be a mirror image of the second set. The fourth set will be a mirror image of the third set.

(Sets one and three are the same, and sets two and four are the same.)

Lesson Plan Suggestions:
Small Group: 4 children
# Of Games Required: 4 per group
Noise level: Low

Practice Patterning Using Tessellations
Another activity for one student similar to Design Games is to use mirror images to create a tessellation that is a 4×4 square using all 16 cubes. Students could use four Pixy Cubes to create one of the challenge card patterns. Then they are to extend the pattern with the second set of four cubes being a mirror image of the first four cubes either to the left or the right. Then they are to place the remaining eight cubes below in a mirror image of the first eight cubes. This will make a 4×4 cube square.

Grade Level Application: 3rd

PixyCubes_Cards&Pieces

Skills: Math concepts, such as repeated patterns

Lesson Plan Suggestions:
Small Group: 6 children
# Of Games Required: 1 per group
Noise level: Moderate to low

Practice Attention To Detail
Speed Game with 6 players: Divide students into two groups of three students in each so there will be two games being played at the same time. Each group gets six of the Challenge Cards and two sets of cubes as explained in the Speed Game. Play begins in each group with two players and one observer who will rotate into the game in each of the rounds of play. As soon as one of the players completes the pattern, the observer checks to see that it is correct. If correct, the observer trades places with the first winner, scrambles the four cubes, and tries to beat the other player for second place.

1st winner gets 3 points
2nd winner gets 2 points
3rd (last one to finish) gets 1 point

Play continues with the winner of the first round being the new observer, who will reenter the game when the second round has a winner. Players keep track of points. Play continues with winner of each round being the observer and re-entering the game as new winners happen. At the end of six rounds the one with the most points is the winner.

Educational Games in the Classroom – Tell Tale

Posted on January 16, 2014January 30, 2014 by Blue Orange Games

When using games as learning tools, we encourage teachers and parents to break the rules! With a little creativity, you can turn existing games into a classroom or homework activity that targets the lesson at hand.

See the previous post in the series on Sumoku

Practicing Language Arts with Tell Tale

About the game:
Tell Tale is a storytelling tool consisting of 60 double-sided illustrated cards. Illustrations include characters, settings, objects and emotions. Players use the cards as prompts to build stories, either individually or collectively. Players may improvise and let chance lead their story, or plan it out.

Grade Level Application: Kindergarten

Skills: Language and vocabulary development by thinking in sentences and using a variety of descriptive words, observing details especially facial expressions of emotions in people pictures.

Lesson Plan Suggestions
Classroom activity or Small Group: 4-6 children
# Of Games Required: 1 per group
Noise level: Moderate to low

Practice Language and Vocabulary development
Everyone is dealt 4 cards then after looking them over picks 2 to use. Using a story paper worksheet, draw a picture using those 2 images and then write or tell a sentence about what’s happening.

Practice Observing Details
Place 4 cards with facial expressions face-up in the center of the group. Have the students draw a picture with someone making one of those faces then write or tell a sentence about how that person feels and why.

Grade Level Application: 1st

Skills: Language and vocabulary development by writing descriptive paragraphs

Lesson Plan Suggestions
Classroom activity or Small Group: 4-6 children
# Of Games Required: 1 per group
Noise level: Moderate to low

Practice Writing Descriptive Paragraphs
Each student takes a card and then chooses one side to write about. Using three or more sentences, they should describe what they see. Encourage them to be creative with this, i.e. “Who or what is in the picture?” “Where is this person/object?” “What is happening?”

Grade Level Application: 3rd

Skills: Language and vocabulary development by creating stories (with a beginning, middle, and end) and using a variety of descriptive words, writing skills such as handwriting and using sequenced events in stories

Lesson Plan Suggestions
Classroom activity or Small Group: 4-6 children
# Of Games Required: 1 per group
Noise level: Moderate to low

Practice Writing Stories With Beginning, Middle, and End
Write a story. Write a story by taking the top six cards from the stack. Using either side of the cards, line them up in the order you want to use them in your story. Write a story with a beginning, middle, and end.

Practice Writing a Cooperative Story
Continue a story. Each child draws one card and uses it to begin a story. As each child completes writing about the first card they place the story on top of a stack of stories to be continued. They take the bottom story from the stack, get a new picture card, read what has been written, and continue the story by using ideas from their new picture card. Several stories could be in progress at the same time. A child may draw the same story at a later time. This is alright as long as someone else has written on it since their earlier writing.