20% Off Veteran's Day Sale Sunday-Tuesday!

In honor of Veteran's Day I am throwing a SALE at my Teachers Pay Teachers store.  Next Sunday-Tuesday, everything in my store will be 20% off, so take a look.  There are great items all at discounted prices, many featured on this site, as well as some cool free items too.  Who doesn't like free stuff right?  

I hope you find something you like!

Add a little more education to board games with counters!

You don’t have to use dice when playing board games!

Using dice when playing games is fine, if your school allows it, but next time consider using counters instead.  Whether you are playing an educational game, or a game just for fun, using counters is an easy way to sneak in a little extra learning. 

I started using counters one day when I realized none of my 5^th grade ESL students knew how to read roman numerals.  I decided to take that opportunity to teach a quick lesson on the basics.  I already planned on playing a game that day so, instead of using dice, I wrote out I-VI on pieces of paper and had my students draw them out of a hat.  As we played the game some of the students had trouble remembering how much IV and VI were.  This gave the students an opportunity to discuss the two numbers, how roman numerals work, and the opportunity to teacher each other.  After that day I never went back to using dice.

Roman numerals are just one way you can use counters to practice content.  With younger students you might simply use the numbers themselves, hash marks, or dots they have to count.  You can also use equations that equal numbers 1-6 to practice addition, subtraction, multiplication, division... etc.    The possibilities really are endless. 

Reasons not to use dice

·         Some schools discourage or even ban the use of dice because of their association with gambling.

·         $ As a teacher I am always trying to save $ and stretch my classroom budget as far as I can.  

·        Dice are like socks.  Half of them always seem to magically disappear when you need them.  At school and at home.

Reasons to use counters

·         $ Counters can be virtually free!  Just put whatever you want on a piece of paper and cut it out.

·         Easy to replace.  If you make them on the computer you can just print them out again and again.  This comes in handy if they start to resemble socks and dice.

·         Adaptability.  You can make counters that cover a variety of topics and objectives.

·         Easy to make and use

Using counters is easy

Just cut out the set you want your students to use and put them in a hat, bowl, or other container.  I’ve found a plastic margarine container with a lid works well.  That way I can also use it to store the counters and game pieces when I’m not using them.   Instead of rolling a die, one player shakes up the container and holds it so the current player cannot see inside.   Then the current player picks a counter from the container and moves that many spaces.

To get a FREE copy of the counters above just go to my Teachers Pay Teachers Store or my Teacher Lingo Store.  Why not get rid of the dice and squeeze in a little more education with counters?  When I play games with my students I always use counters and my students love them.  

I have... Who has...

          Educational games can be, and should be, used in just about every classroom.  Games help students of all ages become more engaged, excited about learning, and willing to take on new challenges.  I have… Who has… is no exception.  One of the things I like about this game is the flexibility I have as the game creator.  Using the same basic platform, I can create a game that will help my students practice almost any subject.   Once my students have learned how to play one deck of I have… Who has… they already know how to play any other deck regardless of the content being covered since the rules don’t change from one deck to the next.  

       

         When I make a deck of I have… Who has… cards I make a deck of 30 because my classes are usually large.  With 30 cards I will have a few extra cards so some students can have two.  I also make sure there are one or two cards that are easier than the rest.  This way I can make sure my students who are really struggling with the content get the easier cards the first few times we play so they can be successful in front of their peers.  

As you can see in the pictures above, the front of each card has two parts.  I have… and Who has…  When it is your turn simply read the whole card.  You know it is your turn because someone has asked a Who has… section that is answered by your I have… section.  The cards are written in a way that the cards create a continuous loop. 

How to Play

·      Distribute at least one card to each student.  Handout any extra cards to stronger students, or to students who want another card that you think can handle it.  I always have students who want extra cards.  If you have students who are really struggling with the content make sure they get the easier cards the first few times. 

·        Pick any number in the deck and have the student with that card start.  The back of each card has a number in the lower right hand corner (see pictures above).  It does not matter what card you start with because the game loops continuously and ends when you want it to end.  I prefer to stop when it goes all the way around once, redistribute the cards, and play again it time permits.

·         Students need to be silent and focused throughout the game. 

Example: Sally reads, “I have… 6 Who has… 9-0”.  Jose’s cards reads “I have…9  Who has… 1-1”.  His card answers the question correctly so it is his turn.  Jose reads his whole card and the game continues. 

Being silent and focused can be a struggle for many students.   When playing I have… Who has… students are practicing more than just the content covered in each deck.  To be successful in the game, students will have to improve their listening and comprehension skills.  Students will also learn self-control and patience as they wait for students to figure out the answers and realize it is their turn.  These are just a few of the extra benefits students receive from playing I have… Who has… These “extra” benefits are part of the reason why I prefer playing games like this in my class instead of using worksheets all of the time.