Bother!! The BEST maths game!!
I realise that on my last post I said that I was not going to focus on maths tasks here, but this one is too good to share as it has so much background to it.
Like all good activities, how they are introduced often mean how well they will be received by the kids.
I had been playing this game long before I was even married (33 years ago!) after being introduced to it by my now wife.
I'll admit that I am a terrible person to introduce new games to, and my wife knew this, so she obviously had the knack and technique to get me hooked!
It was simply a card game that she assured me would be so quick to learn, and once done, I would be hooked.
Well, this was red rag to a bull, because I was then determined to not get hooked, only because she said I would!!!
Without stating the obvious, she got me instantly.
From the first hand (which I clearly lost!!) I was on a mission to eventually beat her, and this took quite some time. Not only was I hooked, but I was having fun, and totally oblivious to the wealth of learning that was happening at the same time.
You'll see that this game is called 'Bother', and we could both see how beneficial it could be in the classroom, as we are both teachers.
However, it wasn't introduced to me as 'Bother' because that is what you say whenever you lose a good card. But the original name is actually 'S#%T' !!! I guess you can make out what the original name was!!
We knew that the game would be great at school, but we'd have no jobs if we introduced it under the original name, hence, 'Bother'.
I still have a giggle inside whenever I hear the kids playing it, as one can often hear the original name being uttered each time a good card is lost in the game!!!
This year I have gone back to teaching a class full time after 11 years in other roles, and each morning before school I drop everything and play maths games with the kids for 30 minutes before the day starts.
I always leave the choice of games up to them, and more often than not this is the one game they always go for.
It's not rare to see me playing with 5-6 other kids, and often the kids will play as pairs, meaning that there could be up to 14 players involved at times. Add to that the number of kids who just love to watch.
We even get kids from other classes coming in, such is the fun we have playing games such as these.
The playing of games before school has so many advantages.
Not just the learning, but the socialisation and bonding that comes as a result. Some kids are nervous in the mornings as they may be introverted and just need that safety barrier or level of support. This gives them somewhere to be in a supportive and non threatening environment. For those who struggle with maths, it gives them a place to be where there is "maths without the maths" as I like to call it.
I was convinced of the value and success of this approach when the kids were becoming keener to come into the classroom each morning and were waiting at the door for the moment for it to be opened. Once in, they would unpack as quickly as possible and come and join a game.
Unfortunately, I have had to take leave since August due to a family illness, and I'm not able to be involved in these morning games, but I know the kids continue to play them.
Proof of the success of them is when I see them playing them at every opportunity, and when their parents let me know that the kids are teaching these games at home.
So, if you'd like to have a crack at 'Bother' ( or 'S%#T') go to the site listed below, or just go through the QR code to my YouTube channel.
So Readers,
Until my next post,
Cheers!!
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