Meet the games
Six games make up the five layers (English uses Ladder in K–3 and Roots in 4–8), plus the Cherry on top.
Ladder
Grades K–3Climb from one word to another by changing one letter per rung. Each hidden rung has a clue, so the class reasons from meaning and spelling at once.
How it grows: Kindergarten climbs one word family with pictures, tapping the first sound (cat → hat → bat). By grade 3, ladders use four-letter words and four rungs.
Standards: Phonics and word recognition (RF.K.2–RF.3.3), spelling (L.2.2, L.3.2).
Roots
Grades 4–8One set of word-part tiles, five definition clues. Tiles can be reused, every tile gets used, and extra real words count as bonus words.
How it grows: Grade 4 starts with prefixes and suffixes (re-, un-, -ful). Grades 6–8 build words like telescope, incredible and beneficial from Greek and Latin roots.
Standards: Vocabulary acquisition with Greek and Latin affixes and roots (L.4.4–L.8.4).
Target
Grades K–8Tap a number, an operation and another number to combine them. Hit the target, then hunt for every different way. The board keeps a running list of the ways your class has found.
How it grows: Kindergarten adds or subtracts within 10 in one step. Grade 3 needs × or ÷, grade 5 three operations, grade 6 a fraction, grade 7 negative numbers and grade 8 squares.
Standards: Operations and algebraic thinking, number systems and expressions (K.OA–8.EE).
Trios
Grades K–8Nine tiles, three hidden groups of three (two groups in Kindergarten). Pick three that belong together; each solved group reveals the science idea behind it.
How it grows: Kindergarten sorts animals and weather. Middle school sorts cell parts, plate boundaries and forms of energy (Earth science in 6, life science in 7, physical science in 8).
Standards: NGSS performance expectations for each grade.
Timeline
Grades K–8Put three to five cards in order, then reveal the dates and a fact about each one.
How it grows: K–1 orders daily routines and “long ago to today” changes (candle → lamp → light bulb). Grades 3–5 order American history; 6 ancient civilizations; 7 the medieval world; 8 U.S. history.
Standards: C3 Framework history indicators: chronological sequence, change and continuity (D2.His).
Code Path
Grades K–8Build a program from blocks, press Run, and watch the robot follow it. Bump a wall and you debug together.
How it grows: K–1 use arrows. Grades 2–3 use forward and turn, plus a gem to collect. Grades 4–5 add repeat loops; 6–8 nest loops inside loops and chase par.
Standards: CSTA computer science standards for algorithms and programming (1A-AP, 1B-AP, 2-AP).
Cherry
Grades K–8The bonus cherry on top: a quick creative-thinking puzzle. Never needed for the cake or the streak.
How it grows: K–2 drag pictures into collections (rhymes, colors, homes, first sounds). Grade 3 adds picture compound words. Grades 4–8 crack rebus word pictures like HEAD over HEELS.
Standards: Creative and flexible thinking; no single standard.
Curious which standard a puzzle covers? It's listed at the bottom of every puzzle screen, and the full list is on the standards page.