How One 2nd Grade Teacher Uses Boddle to Boost Math Growth and Engagement

How Boddle Helps Close Learning Gaps with Personalized Practice

Students in Katie Ritoch’s second-grade classroom are getting more targeted math practice, and it’s paying off in big ways.

Katie teaches in a rural Title I district where many students come in below grade level. Some are English Language Learners; others struggle to stay focused during lessons. Like many teachers, she has seen attention spans decrease over time, which makes it even harder to close foundational learning gaps during limited class time.

Finding the Right Fit

To help students stay engaged and build essential math skills, Katie began using Boddle. Right away, she saw how motivated her students were to play - some even answer up to 30 math questions just to unlock in-game rewards.

One student, who had fallen behind in math due to low interest in traditional lessons, transformed his attitude completely after discovering Boddle. “He now begs to play,” Katie says. “And he’s made real progress because he’s finally getting the practice he needs in a way that works for him.”

How Boddle Supports Her Classroom

• More Practice, More Growth: Students are consistently getting extra math practice, which Katie says is directly contributing to their academic growth.
• Targeted Assignments: With Boddle’s assignment feature, Katie can assign specific skills to individuals or groups. When her class needed more help with telling time, she assigned extra practice—and saw major improvement within weeks.
• Built-In Motivation: Boddle’s game-based design taps into students’ natural interests, helping them stay focused and excited to learn

“Students are now receiving more math practice that positively impacts their math growth.”

Tips for New Teachers Trying Boddle

“Introduce Boddle and let your students explore,” Katie advises. “Skip the game locks at first so they can get excited and build buy-in. Meanwhile, take time to explore the teacher tools and find what works for your class—there’s no one right way to use Boddle, and every way supports learning.”

More About Katie:

Katie’s love for teaching began early—she used to play school with her younger sister and hand out pretend homework. Her passion grew when her mom became a special education aide, and from that point on, Katie spent every moment she could in the classroom.

Today, her favorite part of teaching is seeing the moment something clicks for a student. “There’s nothing like watching them light up when they finally get it.”

“I’m so glad a coworker told me about Boddle—I know I’ll be using it for years to come.”