Set up teams.
Students can sit together or stay in their regular seats—they’ll work independently and earn points for their team.
Bright Spark Design
How It Works
A simple way to make classroom practice more engaging.
The thinking behind the games
Why I Play Games in Class
Games weren't just something we did after the work was finished. They were part of how we got the work done.
When I taught middle school math, we often alternated between lesson days and game days. The next game day gave students something to look forward to and a reason to practice independently. During lessons, students could even earn tokens or classroom money to buy extra game turns.
On game days, small checkpoints helped students move through independent practice while earning turns for their teams. The games motivated the practice instead of replacing it.
You can use this approach with any subject, assignment, or schedule. Here's how to get started.
The Bright Spark approach
How It Works
Turn everyday practice into a reason to keep going. Students work toward checkpoints, earn team game turns, and head right back to learning.
Assign practice and set a checkpoint.
For example, students earn one game turn for every three correctly completed problems.
Let students work at their own pace.
Everyone works at the same time. Students don’t wait for the class to answer a question or finish a round.
Check work, then play.
When students reach the checkpoint, they check answers with you or a provided answer key, get help if needed, and take a quick game turn. Everyone else keeps working!
Return to practice and repeat.
After their turn, students go back to their assignment to earn another turn. End the game when class time is up!
The game motivates the practice — it doesn't replace it.
About the Creator
Hi, I’m Sarah!
I’m the creator behind Bright Spark Design and a former middle school math and STEM teacher. I love finding creative, practical ways to help students stay engaged and keep working.
These games grew out of my own classroom, where a little friendly competition and a bit of luck gave students a reason to keep practicing. Now I create classroom games and teacher tools to help other teachers bring a little play to the work.