Beyond Solitaire
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Public History
  • Solo Reviews
  • Work With Me

Finals Week Gaming Report

6/3/2016

8 Comments

 
PictureDo you want teenagers to play games? BUY THIS.
Finals week is typically a stressful time for both teachers and students, but there is one thing I truly enjoy about it. When I'm not administering state exams, I end up keeping an eye on students who have already finished testing for the day. This gives me a ready-made group of people who will play board games with me! 

Many of the kids think that they don't like board games, or that they are only interested in Jenga or Uno. Fortunately, however, some of them are open to new things—and they end up dragging their reluctant friends along with them. 

Two of the games that have been smash hits with the students this week have been Splendor and Jaipur. (The students also play a lot of chess, Connect Four, Ivanhoe, and Game of Things.)

Jaipur is a card game in which players vie to become the richest merchants in the market. Although Jaipur is technically for only two people, you often end up with two teams of students, with several kids playing a single hand and trying to out-think their friends. Today, I ended up playing against three students who wanted to outsmart me. (Think again, children!) The best part is watching kids learn from their strategic mistakes. They catch on quickly and they play a smarter game every time.

But the biggest hit of my semester has been Splendor, a game in which you build a gem collection that earns you prestige and possibly the favor of impressed nobles. I first introduced the game to a group of students who are very adventurous, but I noticed that other kids—some of whom hadn't previously wanted much to do with me—were watching us play. Before long, there was a huge line of kids wanting to swap in for the next game. Yesterday, my room was full of players and spectators arguing about the best purchases, blocking each other viciously, and throwing their hands up in delight and/or frustration. Several of the kids wanted to know where to purchase the game themselves, and I directed them to our friendly local gaming store. Who knows? Perhaps I've converted a few of them to the dark side! I can't pinpoint exactly what it is, but there is something about Splendor that is extremely appealing to my students. I might need to get a second copy next year. 

There are few things I love more about my job than the chance to play board games with teenagers. When we play, I feel like they show me their best selves—they become inquisitive, strategic, competitive, and focused. At one point today, I looked up and realized that, for once, no one was staring into a smartphone screen like a zombie. It feels amazing after a semester of hard work to just be with my students and appreciate them as vibrant and clever young people. I think that playing games helps the kids appreciate me more, too. All of that friendly competition and ribbing helps us to relax around each other. And when they do finally beat me at a game, their victory gives me great satisfaction: I taught them something this year!

8 Comments
unblocked games 500 link
9/19/2017 11:08:36 am

I really appreciate this wonderful post that you have provided for us.

Reply
Sacramento Escape Room link
10/4/2017 10:54:44 am

I’ve bookmark your site and also add rss. keep us updated.

Reply
idee cadeau link
10/4/2017 11:44:39 am

This is a great post. I like this topic.This site has lots of advantage.I found many interesting things from this site.

Reply
coc hack link
10/25/2017 10:04:02 am

This is such a great resource that you are providing and you give it away for free.

Reply
list of games link
10/25/2017 10:26:19 am

Thank you for helping people get the information they need. Great stuff as usual. Keep up the great work!!!

Reply
moo moo io link
12/19/2017 09:08:11 pm

This is such a great resource that you are providing and you give it away for free.

Reply
agar.io games link
12/19/2017 09:12:57 pm

I have read your article, it is very informative and helpful for me.I admire the valuable information you offer in your articles. Thanks for posting it..

Reply
limaxio link
12/19/2017 09:22:13 pm

Nice knowledge gaining article. This post is really the best on this valuable topic.

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Author

    My name is Liz Davidson, and I play solo board games. A lot of solo board games...
    ​
    YouTube:
    Beyond Solitaire
    Twitter:
    @beyondsolitaire
    Instagram: 
    @beyondsolitaire
    Facebook: 
    @beyondsolitaire

    Archives

    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    January 2016

    Categories

    All
    Apps
    Books
    Commentary
    Conventions
    Education
    Fun
    Game Accessories
    Kickstarter
    Movies
    Podcasts
    Reviews
    Video Games
    YouTube

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Public History
  • Solo Reviews
  • Work With Me