Game On: Anna ISD Teachers Discover the Power of Classic Play in Learning

Last week, approximately 60 Anna ISD educators came together for a professional development session focused on something simple, familiar, and powerful: classic games. The session was led by Heather Boykin, Anna ISD’s Gifted and Talented Enrichment Specialist and Rattan Elementary’s 2025 Teacher of the Year.

Heather began the session by pointing out something many of us might not realize. Today’s students often spend most of their recreational time on screens. Online games are common but do not always help children build the same thinking and social skills as traditional games. Classic board and card games teach strategy, patience, collaboration, and the ability to cope with losing. These games strengthen executive function and foster creative thinking. They also help form the brain pathways that support long-term academic growth.

“Games are more than fun,” Heather shared. “They help kids develop thinking patterns, learn cause and effect, and build essential problem-solving skills.”

During the training, teachers played several classic and contemporary games. They learned to adjust rules or content to match their grade level and subject area. Games can be used to teach math facts, review vocabulary, explore new concepts, or even model creative writing. Teachers also created a custom game they can use on the first day of the new school year.

This kind of learning is especially beneficial for gifted students but also effective for all learners. Students who regularly engage in this type of play show improvement in critical thinking, decision-making, and classroom engagement.

The training also focused on social-emotional learning. When students play games together, they develop empathy, practice communication, and learn how to handle success and frustration. These are life skills that extend far beyond the classroom.

Parents can be part of this learning, too. Playing games at home helps reinforce what students learn at school and builds stronger family connections. Whether a simple card game or a more complex board game, these shared experiences help children develop confidence and resilience.

At Anna ISD, we are dedicated to educating the whole child. We believe in innovation, engagement, and creating classrooms that nurture every part of a student’s development. Through this training and many others, our teachers continue to bring thoughtful and creative strategies into their classrooms.