My students need games that build strategic thinking and cooperative teamwork. Multiple copies of chess, Mancala, Connect Four, Banagrams are needed in every room.
We need board games donated to our arts school for our Learning Lab time. Games? Yes, games can help foster socialization, build community, and provide “unofficial” learning. In a school where "Creative Genius" is the motto, games are how we roll.
According to the numbers, the students at my school are 64.5% African American, 27.5 % white and 8% "other".
What the numbers don't tell you is that we are 100% artists. We value creativity and expression and are non-traditional thinkers. Our school is a newer charter arts school in the city of Saint Louis, MO. While we are in a city that has recently been through tough times, our school is a place that has a positive spirit due to its diversity and community of artists.
Learning lab is a designated time in every student’s day for catching up on work, but many students have free time on their hands. Offering higher-level thinking games during these times because we would be able to do something fun, have a chance to relieve stress from our school day, and interact with other students we may not know very well.
My Project
Have you ever seen a high school students in their free moments, a cell phone will most likely be involved. We would like to offer an alternative to these moments and offer students the opportunity to play games that build strategic thinking and encourage socialization. By having games accessible during students' Learning Lab time, students will be able to practice and learn the games of Chess, Mancala, Banagrams, and Taboo. These games are actually "learning in disguise" as they encourage literacy, critical thinking skills, and good sportsmanship.
Students who are engaged in games are focused, thinking, having fun and engaging with each other.
The donation of games will enhance our school community profoundly because they offer students something to do in this short span of time of Learning Lab and other than escaping to one's cell phone. Donations will also reinforce the message of stepping up to fix our problem. Procuring board games was originally a student's idea.
Nearly all students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
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