Tabletop Role-Playing Games in the Classroom

When someone from the world of K-12 schools asks if tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs) can be educational, answering "yes" with evidence-based research is only the first part of the struggle. What teachers really need are pragmatic ways to start such an innovative game-based learning approach. This book includes both, written in a style that recognizes the academic needs of instructional staff while maintaining an engaging, invitational tone. If you've never rolled polyhedral dice or played a TTRPG before, have no fear. Beginners are welcome!

This book presents new frameworks designed by the author to ease integration and facilitation of tabletop role-playing games in an educational setting. You'll also encounter the "what" and "why" of TTRPGs, K-12 educator anecdotes of actual (not just theoretical) implementation, relevant case studies, how librarians are crucial allies, advice on partnering with game shops, and practical classroom strategies. Recurring text features such as Starting Equipment, Bulletin Board Bard, and Ritual of Reflection identify concrete takeaways, models for emulation, and help you synthesize new information while creating next action steps. This book is a critical tool for educators wishing to integrate their pedagogy with tabletop role-playing games.