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!

Tsuro: Perfect for the Classroom

Tsuro may just be a perfect game for the classroom. The game itself is beautiful. It is so easy to teach and learn. It sets up in seconds. The components are gorgeous and durable. But, I'm getting ahead of myself.


Components: The pieces of Tsuro are quite durable. The dragon pawns appear to be made of stone, but are actually made of high quality plastic complete with intricate engravings of dragons. The tiles are thick cardboard of very nice quality, with wonderful backgrounds, and clear paths. The pieces are few in number. That means there is a low risk of losing pieces of the game. The game board itself is gorgeous! The artwork on the box and on the instructional manual are fantastic!

Accessibility: The game literally sets up in seconds. Unfold the board, pick and place your dragon, shuffle the tiles, and play. The game is just as quick to clean up. The game allows up to 8 players, though it optimally plays with 4-6. Just think, with just a few copies of this game, you can have your entire class engaged. The age range is 8 years and up, but I've played it with my 5 year old with no problem.

Duration of Game Play: The games can go fairly quickly depending on if the players are ready to place their tiles. Most games last only 10-15 minutes. That is wonderful because your students can get in several matches in a short amount of time.

Educational Value: Problem solving reigns supreme in this game. In the beginning of the game, most of the dragons are far enough apart, but as the game progresses, space gets tight. You may have your strategy well thought out, but then an opponent plays a tile that moves your dragon, too. Now you have to think fast and problem solve! It's wonderful! 

Surprise Benefit:  Tsuro is a great game for students who have attention issues, or for those students who have a hard time tracking (reading lines of sentences across a page). Following the correct paths can take a bit of concentration and attention. This game will have those children practicing tracking and attending skills over and over again.

Replay Value: High replay value. With a mixture of tiles every game, you'll rarely, if ever, get the exact same game twice.

Price: Tsuro is reasonably priced at $23-$28 depending on where you buy it. Since Tsuro services up to 8 players, it roughly works out at $3.00 per player. Not too shabby.

I highly recommend that you purchase your games at your local friendly game store. They may not have Amazon beat on price, but the face-to-face service is hard to ignore. Plus, they may even let you demo the game! You can't get that at Amazon!

Bonus: Tsuro has another game called Tsuro of the Seas. Similar concept to the original, and equally as beautiful!

I am certain that you will enjoy Tsuro. Once you play it I know that a copy or two will find a place in your gaming library at home or at school.

Until next game,

Play!

Get Tabletop Games and Puzzles in the Classroom

Welcome to Board of Education a place for educators and families to learn about the best puzzles and tabletop games for the classroom and kitchen table.

When I say tabletop games I am including board games, role playing games, dice games, and card games. Some of my favorite tabletop games include: Stone Age, Pandemic, Tsuro, Love Letter, Sleeping Queens, Rat-a-Tat Cat, For Sale, Farkle, and Martian Dice.

When I say puzzles, I do not mean jigsaw puzzles, but rather brain bending fun puzzles that reach several curricular areas. My favorite curricular puzzles come from a genius mathematician gone educator Dr. Gordon Hamilton and his brilliant MathPickle activities. It is my opinion that every math classroom should be using his puzzles--they are that good.

I have been an educator for nearly 11 years. I readily use puzzles and tabletop games in my elementary classroom. Games provide an instant buy-in for children. Getting children interested in learning is a large part of the battle that educators face on a daily basis. I have found that games and puzzles provide a very clever way of sneaking in learning.

A few years ago, I wrote a grant for $100 to my school's Parent Teacher Organization for tabletop games. I was granted the money, and the games were a big hit! A year later, I wrote a grant to our district foundation for $1,000. It was generously funded, and I've created an after school gaming club, and have hosted family game nights as well. I am currently working on organizing a district-wide tabletop gaming festival.

I've been playing tabletop games for over 30 years. Being the youngest of 5 children, I benefited from my older siblings love for games. Some of my fondest memories were created as I spent countless hours with my family.

Quality hours that are sadly missing from a lot of families these days.

I also learned quite a bit playing games. I learned how to take turns, how to problem solve, and negotiate. My creativity grew, as did my vocabulary, and I developed a lot of schema on various subjects.

And you know what...? I didn't even know I was learning. I was just having a great time!

It's quite simple, really. Play.

I am excited to write about the great games and puzzles that have benefited my students and my children. In future posts, I will review games and explain how they may fit nicely into your classroom or living room.

Until then, I urge you and the kids in your life to simply...

Play!