Resources
Text and Multimedia Links: Building your K-12 Educational TTRPG Schema
"Dungeons & Dragons class at MSVU this winter, nearly full already: New course teaches power, politics, empathy through popular role-playing game" by Lauren Phillips, The Coast, 7/14/24.
"Supporting Student Development with Role-Playing Games" by Kade C. Wells, Edutopia, 10/12/23. (Also see his appearances in the International Literacy Association webinar series, as well as a link to Wells's website in Educator Stories below.)
Let's Roll: A Guide to Setting up Tabletop Role-Playing Games in your School or Public Library by Lucas Maxwell (published 2023). This short book -- 82 pages, including the index -- is written by a British school librarian, and as the title suggests, is mainly focused on setting up TTRPGs in an extracurricular setting in a library. However, there are some tips and anecdotes here that might be helpful when thinking about running TTRPGs in a classroom setting, as well as with neurodivergent learners.
"Playing Roles, Rollling Dice: Dungeons, Dragons, Academic Standards and Durable Skills Combine for Authentic Adventures in Learning." OVEC Deeper Learning Team, May 2023. An educational cooperative spotlights three Kentucky teachers using TTRPGs in their classrooms.
Teachers in the Dungeon. A podcast by two educators, Dan Reem and Tom Gross. As a starting point, check out this Doc for information on a 4/11/23 episode with tips on running adventures for those aged 12 and under.
"How Youth Can Build Social and Emotional Skills in Tabletop Role-Playing Games" by Caroline Pitt, Katharine Chen, Jennifer Rubin, Dominic Gibson, and Samantha Bindman, foundry10, January 2023. "This white paper highlights findings from a collaborative study on the potential benefits of tabletop role-playing games as tools for supporting youth SEL skill development."
"Follow up - Librarians report: Dungeons & Dragons in the Library" by Jake Ciarapica, American Library Association: Games and Gaming Round Table, 2/6/23. Great advice on how to handle the challenges of running role-playing game sessions on an ongoing basis when player participation can be inconsistent and many are seeking a "taste" without being well versed in the rules.
International Journal of Role-Playing. IJRP is an online scholastic journal that has been publishing issues going back to 2008 (usually annually). While the scope and topics of its peer-reviewed articles often reach beyond education, you'll find some examples focused on K-12.
"How Therapists are Using Tabletop Games to Help People" by Kam Burns, Wired, 10/22/22. We know the importance of SEL for our students. This article details the healing power of role-playing games.
"10 Ways D&D Can Be Used As an Educational Tool" by Rebekah Krum, CBR, 9/13/22. These examples could easily apply to TTRPGs in general as well.
Culliope's Cauldron. Maryanne Cullinan is an educator who not only utilizes RPGs, but is doing research on RPGs in schools as part of her PhD work. She was featured in the International Literacy Association's webinar on D & D helping with student writing (10/11/22), linked below.
Reacting Consortium. A higher ed program first begun at Barnard College (New York) in 1995 by Mark C. Carnes,; since then, a multitude of RPG various modules ("Reacting to the Past") have been created around key moments in history. Students are given roles, learn their parts, and do critical readings in preparation to play the multi-day modules in class. An overview video and an example RPG module are linked below; you may also want to read the blog entry "Introducing Reacting to the High School Classroom" by Harry Shontz (10/6/22).
"D & D After School" by Jane Hoskyn, Dragon+, February 2021. Discusses Stefan McNinch's after school D & D club and how it improved the academic and SEL achievements of his students, as well as links to D & D family and community resources. (Note: original article was taken down; link is courtesy of the Internet Archive.)
Bill Allan on Twitter and on YouTube. Allan is a high school teacher that produces a popular YouTube series with several seasons of "D & D with High School Students."
"When the Teacher is the Dungeon Master: why you should role the dice on bringing Dungeons and Dragons into the classroom" by Emily Gaudette, The Elective (College Board online magazine), 2/7/20.
"Exploring the Use of Role-Playing Games in Education" by Richard Heinz Patrick Prager, The MT Review, 12/30/19. Abstract and full PDF of article available.
'How Schools Spark Excitement for Learning with Role Playing and Games" by Paul Darvasi, KQED, 2/20/19.
"Dungeons and Dragons storms education" by Matt Zalaznick, District Administration, 11/28/18.
"Creating an educational RPG adventure for your classroom" by Adam Watson, Classcraft blog, 1/16/17.
The Role-Playing Society: Essays on the Cultural Influence of RPGs, edited by Andrew Byers and Francesco Crocco (published in 2016). While not every essay deals with TTRPGs or K-12 education, this very readable book contains several essays that are valuable as case study examples of implementation as well as recent scholastic research.
"Learning by Playing: Larp as a Teaching Method" by Muriel Balzer and Julia Kurz, Nordic Larp, 2015. Some Scandinavian schools have been using elements of RPGs in their classrooms for years, expanding them into entire schools built around "edularps" (educational live action role playing). This article explains the pedagogical grounding behind such RPG-themed schools. Also see the video link below about Østerskov Eferskole, a boarding school in Denmark.
When you want evidence of the learning impact of playing a TTRPG or being a Game/Dungeon Master, nothing could be stronger than hearing it from actual students. In this May 7, 2024 podcast episode of Teachers in the Dungeon, listen as three Illinois high school students share their stories. (22:54)
hubble-14539-lost-wide-mp4.mp4A teaser trailer for the TTRPG adventure module "The Lost Universe" created by NASA(!). Read more in the Teaching Resources below. (1:30)
Chad Collins (Gifted and Talented Teacher, Spencer County Middle School in Kentucky) explains how he has gamified his Academic Team elective class with a TTRPG theme to turn it into "The Academy." As they complete "Main Quests" (must do's), "Side Quests" (should do's) and "Feats of Strength" (may do's), students earn XP as a way of measuring progress toward their academic goals. Learn more about Chad in Educator Stories! Made in July 2023, consider this video as an introduction, then possibly watch the next video below. (19:17)
This July 2024 video by Chad Collins documents how The Academy has evolved in a year. It also showcases strategies and new edtech tools you can use for your own TTRPG-themed course. (25:24)
"Reacting to the Past" is a series of role playing games focused around moments in history, first created and ran at Barnard College in New York. Students are given roles, learn their parts, and do critical readings in preparation to play the multi-day modules in class. In this video, instructors explain the power of these RPGs and college students are shown playing them. (5:23)
If you're asking yourself "Why You Should Start a D&D After School Club," watch this September 2022 video produced by Dungeons & Dragons (and read Justin Gadd's story!). (2:54)
In this October 11, 2022 webinar facilitated by the International Literacy Association, the participants discuss "Using Dungeons & Dragons to Scaffold Writing Instruction" (58:12).
In this August 18, 2022 webinar facilitated by the International Literacy Association, the participants discuss "Leveling Up Reluctant Readers With Dungeons & Dragons" (59:31). Elementary teacher Emilie Rayner uses D & D to increase reading with her young students, and Kade C. Wells's dramatic NWEA MAP scores are evidence of success for his choice of leading an "adventure-based style" classroom.
In this July 16, 2022 webinar facilitated by the International Literacy Association, the participants discuss "Building Emotional Literacy Through Dungeons & Dragons" (59:47).
In this TEDx Talk from May 21, 2016, prize-winning poet Ethan Gilsdorf explains "Why Dungeons & Dragons is Good for You (In Real Life)" (22:35).
Educator Stories (Lesson Plans and Instructional Materials)
Educators from Kentuckiana districts (Kentucky and southern Indiana):
Bringing Role-Playing to Reaganomics (Lexie Bewley-Gilley, Bullitt Central HS, Bullitt County Public Schools). As part of a U.S. History unit on the end of the Cold War, Ms. Bewley-Gilley committed several days on a character creation lesson, giving students a deeper opportunity to gain an empathetic perspective on a person living in the 1980's.
"The Academy" Gamified Class (Chad Collins, Spencer County MS). Mr. Collins was inspired to gamify his school's Academic Team elective classes. See a glimpse inside the course by exploring linked copies of the class websites.
English Classes Integrated with DnD (John Brewer, Shawnee HS, Jefferson County Public Schools). Mr. Brewer not only integrates XP and "classes" into Senior English, he has DnD integrated throughout an entire Creative Writing course. The folder of resources includes a semester's worth of assignments. Start with the Overview doc.
Ancient Rome Warfare (Justin Gadd, Marnel C. Moorman K-8, Shelby County Public Schools). What adversities do Roman legionnaires face when in Britannia? Middle school students learn how to answer this question by playing a RPG. Start with the Overview doc.
Playing Pathfinder During Recess (David Bennett, Borden Elementary, Borden, IN). The benefits and challenges of playing a TTRPG with fifth grade elementary learners in just a thirty minute timeframe.
Historical Character Sheets (Mary Lowe, parochial middle school social studies teacher). As part of a middle school Age of Exploration unit, students are to fully complete a detailed D & D character sheet on a famous explorer and justify their choices. (This idea could be easily applied to other contexts, such as analyzing literary characters.) Start with the Overview doc.
Westward Expansion, d20 Style (Patrick La Mar, formerly at Oldham County MS/North Oldham HS, Oldham County Public Schools). How a social studies lesson became much more engaging by integrating a role playing game.
Running a D & D Extracurricular Club (Justin Gadd, Marnel C. Moorman K-8, Shelby County Public Schools). Discusses how D & D clubs improve the SEL and academic life of students, as well as tips on how to start and sustain such clubs.
Trading Card Mythological Gods Project (Adam Watson). A two day lesson plan originally created for a high school Myths and Legends class. Start with the Overview doc.
Educators from outside of Kentucky:
Role-Playing in Another Language. Nate Sidwell is a high school World Language teacher in Illinois. The link is to a Teachers in the Dungeon podcast episode from 4/30/24 (37:16) where Nate explains how his pedagogical approach of TPRS -- Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling -- led to using DnD 5e rules (and a Player's Handbook translated in French!) to create immersive RPG scenarios in a classroom for students to deeply learn a second language.
Writing Resources (Building Heroez). Kade C. Wells is a middle school ELA teacher in South Dakota who is a strong proponent of playing D & D in class. His writing lesson ideas inspired by D & D include "Head to Toe [Character] Description using Sentence Variety," "Character Backstory," and "Heroic Biopoem." Also, check out his YouTube channel.
Teaching Resources
Although the description and notes given for the resources are written by Adam Watson, a name at the end in italics and inside parentheses indicates the person who submitted the resource to Adam or through tagging KyEdRPG's social media. Thank you for sharing!
Play Make Learn (conference). Held in Madison, Wisconsin, this annual conference has been running since 2017. The focus is on many aspects of play in pre-K through college teaching; the role of librarians (particularly in makerspaces); and game-based learning in general, from video games to board games to TTRPGs. (Adam attended the 2024 conference, and some TTRPG stories from PML are here!)
Wisconsin Adventures. Created by the Wisconsin Historical Society in honor of D&D's 50th Anniversary (which, of course, shares a historical connection to the state), this TTRPG incorporates myths and legends from Wisconsin into a 5e compatible set of adventures. Per the website: "Within each adventure players will interact with characters inspired by historical figures, Wisconsin mythology, and actual locations. The historic background of each is provided at the end of the module, as well as an extensive list of English/Language Arts and Social Studies standards that can be met within the structure of the game." There are several options for purchase, including an Educator Bundle. This might serve as inspiration for your state or town's historical society, or for educators to create adventures around their own local myths and legends! (Chris Baker)
Fart Quest The Game. A free TTRPG to go with a popular book series Fart Quest, aimed at elementary grades 3-5, and inspired by the author's love of Dungeons & Dragons. The link is to a ZIP file that contains printable PDFs of pregen characters, a map, player instructions, and a "Dungeon Master" guide. (While this offical publisher website gives information about the book series and an overview of the game, the page only indicates two books have been published when they are actually up to Part 4.) (Justin Gadd)
Let's Quest. A 501(c)(3) Florida charity established in 2024 "dedicated to supporting afterschool tabletop roleplaying game (TTRPG) programs by providing a treasure trove of resources and materials to educators and facilitators. All services and materials provided are at no cost to students, teachers, schools, or parents". Let's Quest "believe[s] in the power of TTRPGs to inspire creativity, critical thinking, and community in young minds." The site is beginning to build out resources to help educators. (John Johnson)
The Lost Universe. NASA -- yes, as in the American space agency! -- created a system-agnostic TTRPG adventure module to teach about the Hubble Telescope and space-related science. This could be wonderful for students, assuming they already have characters (or are provided pre-generated ones), and if they are already familiar with the rules of an established TTRPG. Because it is system-agnostic, it depends heavily on a GM to bring specifics, such as stat blocks of characters and monsters; it also notes that the "adventure is designed for a party of [four to seven] level 7-10 characters." Based on the science concepts central to the module, I would recommend that the players are high school age (although you could customize the module for younger students). The website contains free material such as a downloadable PDF for a GM, a map, and a poster advertising the game. (Here's a 2024 interview with the NASA author of the adventure!)
DMless Adventures for 5e. Limitless Adventures is a company with several 5e supplements, but their "DMless Adventures" line would be of particular usefulness to an educator who needs to a way for students to lead their own play. The rules are simple, and consists of participants playing cards to determine each encounter; each card refers to a number in the guidebook very similar in style to a "Choose Your Own Adventure" book. Their first boxset, The Blood Queen's Defiance, is recommended for five players with 4th Level characters; others are available on the Limitless Adventures website. You might use the product as is, or use it to inspire you on how to automate your own academic TTRPG modules. (Dan Reem and Tom Gross)
Nations & Cannons. Using the D&D fifth edition ruleset, players can create characters set during the American Revolutionary War. From a local standpoint, I was particularly excited to learn the publisher is working on a supplement that includes Kentucky's Fort Boonesborough! There's plenty of game material to peruse on their website, as well as some educator opportunities to explore.
The Baby Bestiary Companion Rules uses the D&D fifth edition ruleset, and shows how to incorporate a character rescuing and raising a newborn fantasy monster. This could be a way to bring in younger players into a roleplaying game experience that doesn't necessarily involve fighting and battles.
The Last Spike. A board game about railroad expansion in the 1800's. While there are many such historical games in the marketplace, what makes this one particularly worth highlighting is that they offer a "Teacher's Guide" of resources to go with it, with middle and high school lesson plan ideas. You could find ways to add some role-playing elements!
The Quest Kids: Giant Adventure. In the publisher's words, it is a "life-sized fantasy game experience" with a simplified rule set geared toward students kindergarten age and up. Large durable tiles are placed on the ground, and students are to choose a pathway from one tile to the next while overcoming challenges and collecting tokens along the way. This might be a good alternative activity for an elementary PE class, or even as a way to do a creative indoor recess.
Alexandria RPG Library is based in Seattle and is a registered 501(c)(3) charitable organization. They have amassed a collection of thousands of RPG rulebooks and boxsets going back decades, which they often curate and exhibit around the country. Their online database may serve as a resource for teachers or students researching the history of tabletop roleplaying games, but their website may also be the start of some inquiry-based learning: What can the history of role-playing games tell us about a culture over time? How do various gaming systems create mathematical balance to ensure fair playability? In what ways are RPGs inclusive and exclusive (lack of translated materials, accessibility concerns, cultural insensitivities, etc.), and how can we make RPGs more inclusive? How can a roleplaying game charity positively impact a local or global community, and how can we help increase that impact?
Oddfish Games has some items that are just plain fun, including a guidebook on How to RPG with Your Cat. But they also have products that could inspire some educational integration. Their line of Adventure Scents could not only add to the ambiance of a roleplaying game journey, but could also increase the immersive experiences during a readaloud of a story, be the kickoff (whiff-off??) of a descriptive writing piece, or amplify a "you are there" moment of history. Oddfish also publishes Cooking with Dice: The Acid Test, which could gamify a culinary arts unit or even inspire how to incorporate TTRPGs for the entire course.
American Library Association "Games and Gaming Roundtable." The ALA has a page on their website dedicated to various ways that librarians can incorporate games into learning spaces. TTRPGs frequently are mentioned in the articles. (James Allen)
Kentucky, 1861: Loyalty, State, and Nation. A role playing game module that is from the Reacting Consortium,; this particular one was picked from Reacting's extensive list of games for its obvious local connection. While these Reacting games were originally created for college students to play, they certainly can be a starting point to demonstrate how such RPGs could be adapted for younger students to make history or literature come alive. (Note: the gamebook for the module needs purchasing and a paid membership to the Reacting Consortium is required to access the rest of the gaming materials.)
Classcraft. A digital platform that combines a positive behavior intervention system of rewards with a blended learning organization tool. Many RPG elements are present, including avatar customization, "boss battles" (gamified formative reviews), personalized learning Quests, and more. A basic plan is free, but a paid Premium level offers additional features. For a video overview of Classcraft from a student's perspective, click here; for a introduction to Classcraft Quests, click here. (Note: Classcraft was recently purchased by HMH, and as announced here, the original platform was sunsetted in June 2024. The new HMH Classcraft "will not instantly replicate every feature of the original platform, especially components related to gamification and behavior management. Our team is fully committed to reintegrating these vital elements over time but cannot confirm their immediate availability by June 30th [2024].")
Inkarnate. This site allows you to create template-driven fantasy-style world maps or smaller scenario/city scale maps. You can sign up with a Google account for a limited free account (limit of 10 maps and fewer templates to access), or pay for a "pro" account. (John Brewer)
Dungeon Scrawl. You can create dungeon maps for free that are "saved" within the browser with export options. A paid pro option is also available with a few more features. (John Brewer)
Inklewriter. A branching narrative writing tool, free and accessible via your browser. You can write and publish stories with branching "Choose Your Own Adventure"-style logic, allowing your eventual reader to experience the story like it's a text-based game. The linked page gives tips on how to create free, anonymous accounts for your students.
Twine. Another CYOA-style branching narrative writing tool that allows you to publish for others. It's a free open-source tool that can be accessed via your browser or as a downloaded desktop app. While there are some Twine options that might require, benefit from, or provide practice in coding, you can also use Twine as a simple WYSIWYG text creator. (John Brewer)
Dungeons & Dragons "Build an Adventure." Official lesson plans for grades 4-6 and 6-8 (language arts, science [NGSS}, and mathematics), including introductory materials such as game and character rules. Created by Young Minds Inspired in partnership with Wizards of the Coast.
Dungeons & Dragons: Official Site Educator Resources. Among other resources, I'd recommend requesting a free "Afterschool Club Kit" (supplies are limited and they likely go fast after the start of a school year!) as well as apply for a "D&D Beyond Educator License," which upon approval gets you free electronic access to the three key rulebooks as well as some adventure modules. In both cases, these may be limited to one person per school/library/enrichment center.
"System Reference Document 5.1." A 400+ page PDF released by Wizards of the Coast under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, this is the 5E compatible set of rules on how to create characters, combat, spells, magic items, monsters and more.
Online dice rolling sites:
D & D Beyond (official; besides digital dice, also has D&D character creation and other tools; requires a free account)
D & D Dice Roller (unofficial)
DM Tools: 3D Dice. The website also has other useful free tools, such as an Initiative Tracker.
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