On this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt talk about running Zero Sessions. D&D is a collaborative storytelling game. However, what if the collaboration didn't start at the first session? What if the Dungeon Master and the players worked together to build characters, backstories, and world themes to make the first session even better? The Zero Session is the answer! Listen as Matt and Josh discuss what a Zero Session is, pitfalls to avoid, and what they do to make this session fun and meaningful. Did these two teachers help inspire you to run a Zero Session for your new campaign? Then help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support! Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!

Detentions and Dragons

Lesson # 147 - Zero Session and Dragons

On this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt talk about experienced players or returning players and ways to make the start of their new game a fun one. At Detentions and Dragons, we provided insights on how to start off a campaign for players brand new to the game. However, experienced players don't need to run your Tutorial Dungeon for the 6th time. This lesson focuses tips to start a spectacular campaign for those who have a few campaigns under their belt. Did these two teachers help hook you on a new idea for a campaign or D&D club? Then help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support! Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!

Lesson # 146 - Experienced Players and Dragons

On this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt talk about quick character creation exercises. Players should always have agency in the development of their character's personality and backstory. However, for brand new players, deciding what a character's actually characteristics are may be intimidating and time consuming. This lesson reviews ways to speed up this process so new players jump in to their newest D&D adventure! Did these two teachers inspire you to help your new players build rich characters? Then help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support! Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!

Lesson # 145 - Quick Character Creation and Dragons

Detentions and Dragons is back and ready to kickoff their 5th season of the podcast! In this first lesson after summer vacation, Matt and Josh are review tips and tricks for those Dungeons Masters that are going back to school, club, or the table. They discuss things they learned from running D&D in the past and provide tips for being even more flexible as a DM in the future. Did these back-to-school mentors help motivate you for the new year? Help them out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support! Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!

Lesson # 144: Back to School 2021and Dragons

School is out for summer!!! With empty desks,empty classrooms, and empty Zoom meetings, Josh and Matt sit back and recount adventures from their D&D games in club and in the classroom. No rules, No lesson plans, just two teachers telling stories about the fun they had playing D&D with their students over the 2020 - 2021 school year. Highlights from their adventures include: -Lil' Slugger  -Frozen inspired characters -Dining and Dashing (Sort of...) Summer Note: Josh and Matt are taking a little break to recharge after a long school year. Detentions and Dragons will be back on around August 1st with a new episode. Thanks again for all the support from all listeners, teachers, players, DMs, and students. We couldn't have made it through our first two years without you! Did these two teachers help you finish the greatest D&D story ever played? Help them out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support! Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!

Lesson # 143 - Graduation 2021 and Dragons

On this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt ask each other some difficulty, fun, and silly questions about Dungeons and Dragons. Will they help you become a better Dungeon Master? Maybe not. But there is (probably) some benefit to taking a break from lesson planning to explore some hypotheticals of D&D. Did these two teachers inspire you to ask your fun and unusual D&D questions? Then help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support! Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!

Lesson # 142 - Professional Development (Not Really) and Dragons

As a DM, your players either use them all the time or not at all. Regardless, is there a way to use them more purposefully? On this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt talk about perception checks, what they are, the pitfalls of perception checks, and how to make perceptions checks more meaningful to your players. Did these two teachers help you perceive a way to improve your DMing? Then help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support! Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!

Lesson # 141 - Perception Checks and Dragons

On this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt talk about the artificer class. The artificer is the only new official D&D class released since the debut of 5th edition. Even though it is new, is it worth playing? Josh and Matt will answer that by looking at what the artificer is, what skills they possess, and triumphs and challenges of this class. Did these two teachers help you infuse some excitement into your next game of D&D? Then help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support! Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!

Lesson # 140 - Artificers and Dragons

On this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt talk about D&D Virtual Play Weekends. For many people, a game of D&D may not be accessible. However, with a computer, an Internet connection, and around 15 dollars, anyone can jump into online game of D&D in a virtual setting. Josh and Matt participated in one of these weekends as players want you the listener to learn about the pros and cons of the experience! You can find more information about these D&D Virtual Play Weekends here: https://yawningportal.dnd.wizards.com/ Did these two teachers help you find a new way to play D&D? Then help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support! Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!

Lesson # 139 - D&D Virtual Play Weekends and Dragons

On this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt talk about using plot twists to adapt your D&D game to the benefit of your players. We get it. D&D campaigns run long, Players get distracted by NPCs you didn't think to write a back story for, and people rather punch goblins that role-play in your nuanced corporate espionage campaign. You don't have to scrap the story. Instead add a plot twist to adapt or reinvigorate the game! Did these two teachers convince you to add your own plot twist to your next D&D game? Then help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support! Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!

Lesson # 138 - Plot Twists and Dragons

On this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt talk about homebrewed magical school items. Schools of magic and wizardry are a common setting in D&D. So why not add some additional magically enhanced school supplies to your campaign?! These won't be most serious or powerful items your player's will add to their character's inventory but they will result in some extra drama and humor to the story. Did these two teachers inspire order new magical supplies for your D&D world? Then help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support! Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!

Lesson # 136 - Magical School Items and Dragons

Survival and Thrival! On this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt take a minute to reflect on their D&D clubs. They discuss what is working well, what are obstacles they are facing, and what actionable steps they want to take to make the second half of the school year even better for their D&D students! Did these two teachers inspire you reflect on your own DM experience this year? Then help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support! Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!

Lesson # 136 - Midyear Reflection and Dragons

While optimizing a character to be overpowered can take the fun out of the average game of D&D, having a underwhelming characters can limit player agency and turn an epic adventure into an uninspiring one. On this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt talk about the Metagaming for beginners, what metagaming is, why it isn't all bad, and actionable steps novice players can do to give their characters an edge without comprising the tone of their character. Did these two teachers inspire you to help your new players reach their full potential? Then help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support! Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!

Lesson # 135 - Metagaming for Beginners and Dragons

It is a week later than expected but the holiday tradition returns! To celebrate the holiday season, Matt gives Josh the present he wants most in life: a chance to talk about fun stories from his D&D games. Listen as Josh and Matt ramble on and embellish their  stories and inside jokes from their personal campaigns around the fireplace! Music: Brother Christmas by Lemon Yellow Hayes (http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Lemon_Yellow_Hayes/) Fireplace Sound Effects: hansende (https://freesound.org/people/hansende/sounds/263994/) Happy Holidays!! And thank you for all of your support throughout the year!

Lesson # 134 - Story Time: 2020 and Dragons

On this lesson of Detentions and Dragons, Josh and Matt talk about the new source book Tasha's Guide to Everything. Wizards of the Coast releases about one book each year that focuses on updates to things like classes, game mechanics, spells and monsters. The question is whether you should buy this one! Spoiler: There are some good things and there are some disappointing things. However, if you are considering purchasing this title, hopefully Matt and Josh's insights will help you make an informed decision! Did these two teachers help you decide what new book to add to your D&D library? Then help Josh and Matt out by recommending Detentions and Dragons to a friend, teacher, or student. New listeners are the best way to help us grow as a podcast. Thanks again for all of your support! Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network! Check out our show and other great D&D and gaming podcast at https://www.blockpartypodcastnetwork.com/ or where ever you download podcasts!

Lesson # 133 - Tasha's Cauldron of Everything and Dragons

Welcome to Detentions and Dragons, a podcast dedicated to introducing Dungeons and Dragons into the classroom experience! Updated every Monday. The hosts, Josh and Matt, are highly educated, experienced, and enthusiastic American public school teachers who aim to provide tips and techniques to effectively run Dungeons and Dragons 5th edition with students. They are also confidant that new players, new Dungeon Masters, and fans of Dungeons and Dragons will find this enjoyable and informative as well! Detentions and Dragons is a proud member of the Block Party Podcast Network!!

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Detentions and Dragons

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