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Aristotips for using Aristoplay
products in the Classroom
Educators:
Aristoplay games can be an effective and fun learning tool in the classroom.
To get the most benefit out of the games, we offer a few suggestions:
Preparing the class:
1. To get the most learning out of playing a game, we recommend that you thoroughly
prepare the class the day before holding a game-playing session. Emphasize
that this is an alternative learning mode, not just fun and games. Set learning
guidelines and objectives.
2. To promote cooperative and interactive learning, designate captains in
each group. The Table Captain will be responsible for checking rules of play
and keeping score. The Materials Captain will hand out game materials, shuffle
cards, and return all materials to the box after the play has ended.
3. Hold a 15-20 minute dry run before the first game playing session. Arrange
students in their groups. Groups can form a playing surface by turning desks
inward. The touching desktops will serve as a table on which to place game
materials. Materials Captains should pass out game materials. Table Captains
should read the rules. You may want to discuss the rules with the class at
this point to be sure that students understand them. Have students try a few
turns at the game, but don't record the scores.
Playing the game:
4. After the dry run, students should be able to manage themselves. After
the first game playing session, they will be quick to organize themselves to
play again. Allow 10 minutes at the end of the playing time to tally scores
and put away materials. Players can be divided into teams and score totals
can be posted throughout a several-week session. Excitement builds as the weeks
progress and the teams try to accumulate the winning score. This is a tremendous
motivator.
5. After two game playing sessions in the first week, play the game once a
week. Choose a day of the week as "Game Day." Friday is often good.
Students will be anxious for another chance to play and improve their scores.
They may even prepare for Game Day on their own by studying the subject matter.
Just what you want them to do!
Improving game learning:
6. Game learning is a cooperative learning technique. Even though each game
player is working to outscore the opposing players, they must always be good
sports and complimentary to teammates or opponents in their game group. A player
should never be ridiculed for a wrong answer. Players - and even opponents
- should be praised for correct answers. No one expects players to know all
the information presented in the games before playing. All players are encouraged
to make use of information on the game board or other sources to come up with
answers in the game.
7. In most Aristoplay games, questions are written on several levels of difficulty.
The first time students play, suggest that they ask Level One questions. When
they can answer these questions comfortably, the group can advance to Level
Two, or even higher levels. You can encourage students to answer harder questions
by awarding bonus points for higher levels.
8. In many of the games, we have included reproducibles for take-home or in-class
work and a list of extension activities and research projects to reinforce
the material presented in the game and build students' research skills. Playing
the game at intervals will help students realize how much they are learning
and reinforce their sense of accomplishment.
The following Aristoplay games are particularly effective for classroom learning:
Quick Pix - Animals TM
Quick Pix - Geography TM
Quick Pix - Math TM
Quick Pix - Money TM
Quick Pix - Multiplication TM
Moneywise Kids TM
SomeBody TM
Made For Trade
Where in the World
The Play's the Thing
Hail to the Chief
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