A Blog A Day 12/31

The One About Board Games

This last Saturday evening my daughter, husband, and I played Settlers of Catan for a few hours. Our daughter didn't want to play at first, Miss Molly is 10. We have only played it once before. My husband and I watched a few youtube tutorials on how to play, and we some how got Molly out of her funk and convinced her to play with us. 

The above video is nice because it is nice and short! My personal favorite is the one below- I love how they interview the players as if it is a basketball game or something. 

As we were playing it was very clear that my husband was about to win, and I noticed that Molly was giving me really sound advice on some moves to make. Molly and I ended up teaming up, and slowed my husbands eventual win- by working together my husband lost his win for awhile and eventually came back to win. 

It was through this process that I was really seeing the merits of games like this in the classroom. Particularly at the beginning of the year to establish some communication, and team building exercises. I could easily see this being something that I could find a case for in an English class or a social studies class. 

Critical Thinking
Communication
Collaboration
​Social Dynamics- emerging leaders 
Build Analytical Skills

I was reading the article below about what Google Looks for In Employees and I was shocked how many of those skills can be built and nurtured through board games. 

What Google Looks For In Employees

In any case I would definitely add them to my school day when/if I go back to the classroom. They would also be an amazing addition to a makerspace. Below are some of my favorites.

This isn't even getting into games like D&D which really require a lot of story telling and writing which would be great in an English classroom.