Machi Koro: Introduce Probability on the Sly

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Machi Koro is a gem of a game! For me it is one of those games that  I keep thinking about and can't wait to play again. I have been playing Machi Koro with my 7 year old daughter. We usually sneak in two games back to back because we enjoy it so. Each game takes about 20 minutes with the two of us, though the publisher says it should take 30 minutes.

Machi Koro is a fantastic game
for the kitchen or classroom

Machi Koro is a 2-4 player card and dice game where you are the mayor of the city of Machi Koro. You want to make Machi Koro the jewel of Japan by constructing different kinds of properties. The goal is to complete four special properties. Once one of the players has constructed their fourth special property, he or she wins, and the game concludes. Though, I will admit, that my daughter and I like to continue to play to see how much bigger we can make the city, and see how much money we can collect. It feels like a let down to end after we have worked so hard to build up our city.

A Quick How-To
Each player starts with a wheat field, a bakery, and three money. Players earn more money by rolling the number indicated on top of each property card. The bottom of each card has specific instructions for when to collect the money.

Get 1 coin from the bank
when anyone rolls a 1

For example, the wheat field has a 1 at the top. The specific instructions at the bottom explains that you can collect 1 money when any player rolls a 1. The bakery will earn you money on a roll of a 2 or 3, but only when it's your die roll, not your opponent's.

As the players collect more money, they can either purchase more of the same kind of property, or different property cards that pay off on different die results.

This is where probability comes in.

Introduce probability with Machi Koro

The Teachable Moment
During play, I'd ask my daughter to explain why she chose to purchase certain properties. As we discussed strategies, it was very easy to bring up probability. I showed her a handy diagram that explained how often certain die roll results come up when two, six-sided dice are rolled. She now makes good use of that diagram when we play.


How Your Kids Will Get Smarter

More properties that pay off with
different die results

Machi Koro is a great way to introduce probability to kids. By playing this game, they will get a sense of how likely certain dice sums will occur. They will learn to leverage their understanding of probability to help them win the game. Addition, of course, as they find the sum of two dice. Strategy, and planning ahead glide right in there as players make a plan to build their economic engine; which will help them achieve their goals. As with any great game, learning sneaks right in there.

Build all four of these special
properties to win the game

Vitals
Designer: Masao Suganuma
Publishers: IDW Games & Pandasaurus Games
Plays: 2-4 people
Time: 30 minutes
Ages: 8 and up, but could play younger
Cost: $20-30
Machi Koro tutorials and reviews



Your kitchen table wants to meet Machi Koro. Your classroom table should go out on a date with Machi Koro. They'll hit it off. I guarantee it.

Until next time,

Play!

MathPickle Puzzles: Hard Fun!

It's not easy to admit, but there was a time in my teaching when things were getting a bit stale. I think most teachers come to a point in their career when they feel they need a kick in the pants.It was during such a valley when I discovered Dr. Gordon Hamilton's MathPickle puzzles. Using the puzzles breathed new life into teaching for me. Hyperbole-free statement folks.

Not your grandma's puzzles
Don't be misled, when I say puzzles, I don't mean the 5,000 piece jigsaws that you helped granny with. MathPickle puzzles are problem solving exercises that sneak in learning...rigorous learning, and the kids have no idea. Hard Fun!

The master behind the math
Gordon Hamilton (Gord, as he is commonly known), is a mathematician turned education enthusiast from Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Several years ago he discovered a passion for mathematics education, and began creating fantastic math puzzles that are not only rigorous, but relevant and respectful to the audience for which they are intended. I also need to mention that the puzzles are flat out gorgeous!

Addition Boomerang: a puzzle about operations

With Gord's mantra of "kids learn best through hard fun" as the inspiration of his designs, he has created numerous puzzles that promote problem solving in a fun way.

Every student is challenged at their appropriate level. That is one of the most astounding features of MathPickle--every student can find satisfaction from solving portions of the puzzle. From the strongest math students to those students needing more support, Gord's puzzles reach them all. Remarkable!

Kajitsu: a puzzle about symmetry

He takes care of teachers
Gord includes a video tutorial that explains the puzzle for teachers to watch. The videos include the math reasoning behind the puzzle, and how to get the puzzles into the hands of their students. Most of the videos include segments that the teacher can show his/her students. The student portions of the videos are entertaining and scaffolded beautifully to lead students into independent problem solving.

Cartouche: a puzzle about operations

It is also worth mentioning that the vast majority of the resources on his website, are...wait for it...FREE!

I am convinced that Gord has a special gift for making mathematics accessible to students. His puzzles make problem solving exciting and engaging. The puzzles are a work of pure genius!

Please consider visiting Dr. Gordon Hamilton's website: MathPickle.com and his Teachers Pay Teachers page where he has created several more beautiful puzzle packages for a very affordable price.

Hard fun! Isn't that what every teacher has been waiting for? Wait no longer...it's here. Go get 'em!

Until next time,

Play!