Game On? Brain On!

Book excerpt: Get in the game! The research is clear: human beings are born to play. In Game On? Brain On!, Lindsay Portnoy unpacks the games and playful experiences that invite engagement and deep learning. Using cognitive science to explore the ways in which play helps students acquire and maintain critical skills, Portnoy shows how inviting creativity and excitement into the classroom results in big gains for everyone. She also shares how, by being intentional, educators can create equitable access to playful learning experiences for all children. Through relatable vignettes, ready-to-use examples, and informative "Level Up" toolboxes, Portnoy empowers educators to teach a better way--through play! "Whether you're a n00b or a pro, you'll gain a deeper appreciation for what happens in the mind when engaged in play." --Amber Coleman-Mortley, director of social engagement, iCivics "Lindsay Portnoy brilliantly shows us why and how to bring play's power into classrooms through games." --Peter Gray, research professor of psychology at Boston College "Lindsay Portnoy does a wonderful job emphasizing the importance of play in learning and how we need to ensure that we are addressing equity in terms of play." --Steve Isaacs, teacher, game design and development, Bernards Township Public Schools "Game On? Brain On! is guaranteed to make you feel good while learning about play--just like a great, fun game!"--Dr. Kat (Karen) Schrier, author of Knowledge Games