Our school is a rural, public elementary school. We are committed to providing all students with a well-rounded curriculum that engages students in hands-on, project-based learning, as well as developing social skills and building character. Many of our students come from single family homes or are raised by guardians. Over 70% of the students are on free or reduced-price lunch. We work hard to ensure that economics does not get in the way of a quality education.
Our school has 300 K-2nd graders who are constantly thirsting for challenges and are eager to have life-learning that will deepen their knowledge in the future.
I believe our primary students should be given every opportunity to achieve. For many of our students, they are no longer exposed to traditional board games with the television and video games occupying their free time now. Board games are important in teaching the social skills many do not have when entering school.
Board games can teach important social skills, such as communication, sharing, waiting, taking turns, and collaborative interactions with one another. Board games can foster the ability to focus and lengthen the students' attention spans by encouraging completion of an enjoyable game.
My Project
I plan to use these traditional board games to promote critical thinking, problem solving, cooperation, and building healthy friendships. I plan to take the joys of my own childhood experiences with board games and bring it to the classroom to help with the development of the whole child. Students in grades K-2 will have an opportunity to come weekly and play a game of their choice before school.
Kids learn how to persevere and keep trying when they don't win.
These are life skills that are necessary to be successful citizens in our world. Board games are a wonderful tool to develop social skills. Today's classrooms are more inclusive of students that struggle socially. Games like Candyland, Hungry, Hungry Hippo, Chutes and Ladders, and Sorry will provide an opportunity to focus on communication skills such as sharing, waiting, and taking turns.
Business leaders regularly complain that our education system fails to teach students the 21st century skills they need for the working world, such as problem solving, communication, and the ability to work well in teams. Students learn to work well with others who may have a different socioeconomic background, different learning style, or a different culture. As a result, students are better prepared to take their place in the business world.
Board games encourage kids to consider the concepts on rules, following rules, and reasoning moral problems. Many board games encourage players to detect patterns, plan ahead, predict the outcomes of alternative moves, and learning from experience. Kids are learning when they attempt to explain their reasoning processes. Board games at our school will help students with the 5C's, our school mission, and hopefully bring a tie back into students' homes, where they ask for games, encouraging more family time in our community.
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