About Improv 2 Improve
How the Games Work for Kids
The games give kids an opportunity to practice AND FAIL FABULOUSLY at the behaviours we want them to learn. Each game is an opportunity to practice social emotional skills, while mainly being a FUN brain break for the kids. They don’t even know they’re learning anything important. They just are.
Children learn through play. Maria Montessori successfully created an entire academic model based on that idea, as did Sesame Street and Mr. Rogers.
Improvisation was specifically designed so people — children — could practice feeling different ways in different situations and learn to feel comfortable in group situations.
The games work because they’re easy to learn, easy to play, easy to implement into classroom life.
People need brain breaks to work and learn at their optimal levels. These games take fewer than 3 minutes to play, yet pack a wallop of learning without ever saying so.
Before an instructional block transition, a teacher says, “Put your reading away, take out your math, and then come to the circle for a quick game.” The teacher begins coaching the game after about 30 seconds. The kids who are ready join the circle. The rest finish their tasks and join as they are ready.
Why the Games Work For You
It’s easy out of the box! You can work Improv2Improve games into your day, not work your day around them. The games are short, needing as little as 1 to 3 minutes, perfect for a Brain Break between more mentally taxing activities in your classroom. It’s componentless — no need to find pieces, make copies or bring anything but yourself and the right mindset. Play freely without constant assessments.
Improv for the classroom was created by Viola Spolin in the early 20th century. It’s not a new idea; it’s just repackaged and reimagined for the 21st century with easy-to-use game packs and aligned standards that drive SEL behavior.
Easily integrated into your day
You’re busy and we get that! Improv 2 Improve’s SEL games are unique because they don’t ask more of your time. We know there are a lot of great SEL programs out there, but the best of them want time you don’t have.
Effortlessly work Improv 2 Improve games into your day, not work your day around them!
Unique Features
Unlike other SEL programs, Improv to Improve is easily scalable, working for a classroom, a cohort, a school or a district. Because it’s componentless, that scale is affordable. While the packs include online training, you can take advantage of our exclusive KKIT program (Zoom or in-person). SEL programs abound, but there’s nothing like i2i.
The Packs
The Green and Purple Packs contain all games necessary to implement the pre‑K through 12 scope and sequence for CASEL standards.
The Green Pack
Express and Engage
Green Pack Games are filled with group dynamic fun that also teaches important self-control and self-management skills hidden beneath the surface. Rather than focusing on just one situation, children are able practice improv behaviors in the ever-changing situations the games naturally provide.
The Purple Pack
Laugh and Learn
Purple Pack Games focus on interpersonal relationships and problem solving. The games provide an opportunity to hone speaking and listening skills in a non-judgmental environment. The games use language to create fun, releasing students from the pressure to be “right” or clever.
Meet Lisa
