Lesson 4

Mechanisms Found in Board Games

Module 1: Lesson 4:

Lesson Objectives: In this lesson students will:

Explore the types of mechanisms used in game playing, using each game they have explored in Lessons 1 through 3.

Vocabulary: types of game mechanisms- recording,card drafting,dice rolling,point allowance system,time tracking,roll/spin and move,popping dice roll, etc... (you should add any other mechanisms found in different games you choose.

Materials you will need for this lesson:

Games used on previous lessons
Game Mechanics worksheet and sample Venn Diagram

Introductory Mini-Lesson

Use a scavenger hunt method as done in Lessons 1 through 3 to have the students work in groups to identify game mechanisms that are used in the displayed games.

Teacher should support groups that need help during this process.

Have students then share their results with the class.

Game Mechanics Sheet- Use the link or select the arrow icon on the top right to download the worksheet file to your computer.

Game Mechanics

Mini-lesson continued:

Use a graphic organizer and Venn Diagram to chart the mechanisms found and how they are similar or different in each game.

Sample Graphic Organizer: Use the link or select the arrow icon on the top right to download the worksheet file to your computer.

Mechanisms used in games.pdf

Note: Modify the graphic organizer based on the games you used with the students.

Essential Questions: Based on what you have learned about theme, materials and mechanisms, how do all of these things relate to the theme of the game?

Which elements in a story can be used to define the mechanisms of a game?

Challenge Activity: At the end of this lesson give students a variety of board games without pieces or rules of the games. Ask them to come up with their own version of the game. They can use anything in the classroom as game pieces. They should come up with their own rules and 'play' of the game.

Have students play each others games. Write a reflection about which version of the game they liked best and why.

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