Learning Logic Skills Through Games

Funded Feb 9, 2023

Thank you for the games and supplies. At my school, We have elective classes that are student choice. The elective I teach is called Winning Games and Solving Puzzles. The purpose of this elective is to teach students different problem solving skills and strategies for classic and modern games and puzzles. Most of the game's students are familiar with the general rules, but when it comes to the strategy of the game students are usually free-styling.

Over a semester we start with one player games and then move to partner and group games. We're focused on the best strategies to WIN! The first few weeks we solve/play one-player puzzles such as Sudoku, Mastermind, and KenKen. Supplies for the one-player games were easy to access, printing puzzles from online resources. The next section is the 2 to multi-player games; Connect 4, dominos, 24 (math card game) and Proof! Math Game - The Fast Paced Game of Mental Math Magic. It is essential to have enough games for all students to participate and learn. This is why my students and myself are forever grateful for Donors Choose. In a class of 30 students we started with only 5 games, we desperately needed additional supplies and resources. After being funded and supplies came in, we jumped into Dominos and Connect 4. I will never forget the smiles on my students' faces opening the new games.

Most of the students played Dominos or Connect 4 before this class. So our focus was not on how to play the game, it was on how to win the game. After learning different defensive and offensive game strategies. The games became fun and competitive. Learning these problem solving skills and strategies boosted their confidence. Which in turn, made it easier to introduce and explore strategies for less popular games, such as Proof!, Mancala and Backgammon.

The Student and Teacher engagement also grew. Students loved challenging myself and Mr. Rojas to play these games. Students loved teaching their teachers, their new learned skills and strategies. Again, we appreciate all of the games and supplies and look forward to using these games in the elective classes next school year.”

With gratitude,

Ms. DOZIER