Brainzy is a platform that lives online and gives students access to fun yet educational interactive games focused on helping improve math, English, and science.
This is for students as young as PreK and runs right up to grade 8 as a way to educate simply but in an engaging way on nearly any device. There is a free version and a premium option, but more about that later.
Kids get their own account and avatar, making it a space they can re-visit from anywhere they want, be that in class or elsewhere. Grade leveling makes it easy to find the perfect challenge.
So is Brainzy something you could use?
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What is Brainzy?
Brainzy is an education games platform that is cloud-based so it is accessed purely online. The advantage of that is that it runs in a browser window, making it possible to use on most devices, from smartphones and tablets to computers and Chromebooks.
Since this is aimed at younger students but runs older too, the visuals are fun, colorful, and characterful. Student are guided through the exercises by cartoon characters that they will start to recognize.
From number games to sight words, sounding out and working out addition, there are lots of ways to learn math, English, and science within Brainzy. With feedback for students and a progress tracker -- for the premium version -- the whole platform is kept measurable and contained. This is useful for teachers and guardians and also works as a nice way to make it all feel manageable for the children.
How does Brainzy work?
Brainzy can be accessed online, via a web browser, for free. Students can sign up with an account or teachers can setup multiple accounts, up to 35, each with their own recognizable avatar. Once signed in, students are given access to all the content that is available. This is where it can be helpful to give a steer on what's best for that individual at that time.
Picking the right level of content can be done easily thanks to the ability to refine by grade level. Users can also select a sub-topic so it may not be just purely focused on addition or vowels, for example.
The progress tracker allows students to see how well they are doing so they can progress visually. This is also helpful for guardians or teachers who want to help the kid decide which is the best level to pick next -- keeping them challenged but not put off.
While there is plenty on offer in the free version, there are more options if this is paid for, but more on that below.
What are the best Brainzy features?
Brainzy is excellent for math and English with activities helpfully broken down into Common Core curriculum state standards levels.
English topics include letters- and stories-focused material for PreK and K levels, sight words for K and grade 1, and vowel sounds for both.
For Math, there is addition, subtraction, counting, and more, all laid out in a visually understandable way that doesn't mean knowing the numbers themselves is vital.
The addition of a video or song at the beginning of each set of activities is a useful way to clarify what is happening and also provides an engaging and entertaining start to the task. This is wrapped up with a read-along storybook, which is also a useful addition that keeps the learning going while offering a punctuated conclusion to a section.
The fact this is all set in a virtual place, The Land Of Knowhere, and has characters with names such as Roly, Tutu, Officer Ice Cream, and Cuz-Cuz, makes it a fun experience. But it's not distracting, crucially, so this can be used in class or as a supplement to lesson learning in which skills can be practiced and improved.
A seven-day free trial of the full version of Brainzy is available, which is good to see if you would use the extra features or if the free version is enough.
For teachers, there are useful lesson plans that allow for the integration of these games as part of learning from the class.
A selection of printable worksheets help bring this world of visually fun learning into the classroom. These are also ideal to send home with students who may not have online access.
How much does Brainzy cost?
Brainzy offers several options but keeps it simple.
The free version of Brainzy offers three free content downloads per month, however, you still have access to the online games and activities.
The premium plan is charged at $15.99/month or annually at $9.99/month equivalent with a once-time payment of $119.88. This gets you unlimited access to printable content, resources right up to grade 8, unlimited access to the site, interactive guided lessons, the progress tracker, and the ability to produce digital assignments. This also gets teacher access to up to 35 students on an account.
Brainzy best tips and tricks
Bookend lessons
Start a lesson with an activity game, then teach around the topic, then end the lesson with either the same or similar game to cement the learning.
Guide students
Brainzy can be too much choice for some students, so be sure to guide those who need it to activities that they can handle and enjoy.
Go beyond grades
Grade guidance is helpful but use it as just that, guidance, allowing students to go ahead of behind based on their abilities so that they stay interested.
