Step Into My Sessions: There’s always more ways to simplify a great game

Starting with super-simple play makes great games more accessible to our students

As many of you know, I love using terrific games with my students. It just drives me nuts when older students keep playing the same games they played 10, 12, 15 years ago – when there are TONS of new, exciting and cognitive-stretching games out there. I’m not saying those old games (UNO anyone?) aren’t good – I am just saying that there are lots of games that will stretch our students in new directions.

Let’s talk Monoploy Deal. Love that game – so many opportunities to practice being flexible, managing feelings, conversational back and forth, etc. But, let’s face it. With all the cards (we often call them “mean cards” 😠 in my groups, since some, well, are not so sweet) it can be a pretty challenging game to learn. But this week, I wanted to introduce the game to a student I have seen for a long time. They have cognitive, language and social differences, but they really like games, so….

I knew that, for the first go, I would have to make it super easy so it would be fun. After all, that’s the point of a game, right? So, I removed ALL the cards except the property cards. I took out ALL the money, all the rent cards and ALL the “mean” cards. I felt maybe there wasn’t much left….

I explained the basics – pick up 2 cards, put down 3 cards. We reviewed how the monopolies worked. Get three monopolies, you win! Did some visual explanations.

We started playing, putting our cards down on a dry erase board, and circling sets as we got them. I lost both games. My student got the hang of it super-fast! Actually, she was a wiz at getting her cards organized. The circling of sets, I think, make all the difference. I didn’t need to verbally cue them about what to do. They loved the game! Loved winning! Left smiling! 😀 And had stretched cognitively!

Next time, I think we will add the rent cards and money, and see what happens – I will keep you posted on how it goes!