Game Analysis

DUE: February 23, 2011 (at Raquette Lake)

Value: 5% of your total grade

 

The purpose of this assignment is to allow you to analyze the instructional value of games and discover what kinds of mathematical skills can be learned and practiced through the playing of games. Other objectives include: 1) Helping you to become familiar with the topics in the elementary school mathematics curriculum; 2) Helping you to experiment and use a hands-on activity to explore mathematics; and 3) Helping you to prepare information for parents.

THIS ASSIGNMENT IS TO BE COMPLETED ON YOUR OWN - NOT WITH A PARTNER.

To complete this assignment, complete each of the following steps:

1. Sign up for a game you want to analyze. No more than TWO people can sign up for the same game. I want a variety of games to be analyzed, so I need to limit the number of people who can choose a given game. The games I have available to you are as follows:

1. Uno
2. Skip-bo
3. Monopoly
4. Monopoly, Jr.
5. Jenga
6. Clue or Clue Jr.
7. Yahtzee
8. Twenty-four
9. Pizza Party
10. Mancala
11. Mastermind or Mastermind Jr.
12. Backgammon

You can sign these games out from me for one week. Please return them promptly as there may be another person who needs to borrow that same game.

You can also suggest a game of your own which you think has mathematical value. Please let me know if you want to use a game other than the ones I have listed.

2. Once you have a game, you should read the instructions for that game, and play it several times with a group of friends or family. We'll be playing and discussing these games together as a group at Raquette Lake so try to play with people who are NOT in our class so that you get some different perspectives on this game.

3. After you have played the game several times, brainstorm a list of mathematical skills that are used in that game. Take a look at the NYS Math Standards and determine which standards may be covered by your game.

4. Write up a 1-3 page reflection (word-processed, double-spaced, please) of your experiences with this game. This description should include: 1) A brief description of the game; 2) a description of who you played it with and how the game went; 3) a description of what mathematical skills you believe are used in the game and WHY you think those skills are utilized in playing the game. Please refer to the specific NYS Math Standards used in the game.

5. For the final part of this assignment, use your computer skills to create a parent handout or flyer advertising the game as a means to help children learn a skill. You may want to include a brief description of the game, age levels it works for, approximate price (if you can), and skills kids will practice by using this game.

To earn full credit for this assignment, you must:

Back to EDU 373 Syllabus