Games & Learning

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Sometimes as a teacher you have to know when to break out the games. If you're really on your game you'll utilize this time for learning. Games in and of themselves are comprised of learning steps. Take, "Monopoly" as an example:

1. Math Skills Galore! ~ Money, addition, subtraction, multiplication, & ordinal numbers

2. Reading ~ A player has to be able to read the board, cards, and directions.

3. Logic/Strategy ~ One must be able to recognize when it's a great time to purchase property, seize upon others renting your space, save or use a Jail free card, when to acquire funds, & when to spend your funds.

4. Patience ~ A player has to understand that not every roll of the dice will play into their favor. Learning to bide your time as you acquire new  property can be nail biting.

5. Good Sportsmanship ~ Being happy or content for another player despite what's happening to you; is a much needed life long skill. 

6. Etiquette ~ A player has to understand that there is order within a game; you must abide by it. It's also important to learn at an early age that it can be tough to play with others; and how one can handle this with grace. 

Games give us the opportunity to teach so many valuable lessons while having fun! My children love to play games. When I look into our game closet; which can be scary because you might be crushed, I can't find one game that doesn't teach a lesson. A while back we sat our kids down to play a family game of, "Spiderman Matchup." Oh my word, that was the longest 2 hours ever!!! However, it was filled with learning opportunities. I discovered that while my children where amazing Wii players, cell phone game addicts, and laptop game experts they had ZERO ideas on how to play a simple board game. I was astonished!!!! We had great difficulty taking turns. Game etiquette, what's that? Remembering the rules of the game was extremely trying for our five year old; and super trying for everyone else! Granted he was a brand new five at the time, so we can cut him some slack. Strategy? Come again, this was a new concept. A phone doesn't require you to make strategic moves and the computer just does it for you. After the game began wrapping up; ok so we helped it along a bit, we had to have a talk about having Good Sportsmanship. All of this to say it was a LOOOOONG game but I'm so glad we stuck with it. It was chock full of learning opportunities.

So when you find yourself, your student, or child in a learning slump and need a new approach; why not pull out a game? Run to your game closet and pick out something! Chances are if you choose well the lesson will be hidden within the fun and you'll still be teaching. The bonus will be the memories that your child or student has from just playing a game with you.