From Worksheets to Wow: How Boddle Energized This Classroom

An Exciting Start to the School Day with Boddle

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, educators have observed a noticeable decline in student interest, especially when students are required to work independently. Teachers have had to rethink and adapt their strategies to better capture attention and maintain focus in the classroom. With technology playing a bigger role in everyday life, students now expect immediate feedback and thrive in interactive learning environments. Josh Sektnan, a fourth-grade general education teacher in Pittsburgh, has embraced this shift, using creative approaches to keep his students motivated and learning.

Turning Independent Work into a Strength

The Challenge:

Josh noticed that sustaining students’ focus—especially during independent work time—was becoming a bigger challenge each year. To keep students actively involved, he explored new ways to enhance participation, seeking tools that could make learning feel more dynamic and rewarding.

The Solution:

At the start of the school year, Josh used traditional review worksheets each morning to get students settled in and ready to learn. While some students completed them diligently, others struggled to stay interested. That changed when he introduced Boddle Learning.

With Boddle, his students became more attentive and eager to participate, creating a smoother start to the day. The gamified format and interactive lessons sparked enthusiasm, turning morning review time into something his class looked forward to. Boddle even introduced an element of friendly competition, encouraging students to challenge themselves and each other in a fun and productive way.

Beyond improving focus, Boddle’s standards-aligned content helps Josh assess student progress more effectively. His district uses Reports of Student Progress (ROSP), which evaluate students based on grade-level standards rather than traditional letter grades. With Boddle’s ability to assign specific standards, he can seamlessly track student growth and integrate their progress into these assessments.

Josh has also seen a shift in his students' attitudes toward learning.

"Students are more excited about learning and often ask for additional opportunities to use Boddle Learning."

Having taught for nine years across various educational settings—including special education, life skills programs, and general education—Josh values tools that support diverse learners. His passion for creating a lively classroom extends beyond academics; for the past two years, he has even integrated one of his trained therapy dogs into his teaching, providing students with a unique source of comfort and connection.

The Impact:

• ✅ A More Exciting Start to the Day: Students are more focused and ready to learn each morning, setting a positive tone for the rest of the school day.
• ✅ Standards-Based Grading Support: Teachers can assign specific skills aligned with student needs and academic requirements, making it easier to track progress and mastery.
• ✅ Comprehensive Teacher Reports: Boddle’s intuitive reports provide valuable insights into student performance, helping educators personalize instruction and assess learning more effectively.

Josh’s Advice for New Boddle Users:

“Give it a try and explore all it has to offer! Boddle provides countless opportunities to assess student learning in a fun and engaging way.”

- Josh Sektnan, 4th Grade Teacher