PS99 with Maple Grove Cemetery and Karen Fitzgerald “Playing Around”

Queens is the most ethnically diverse county in the U.S., and PS 99’s student body reflects that diversity. “Playing Around” was designed to embed arts-in-education in the entire 6th grade as a model for the whole school. Concurrently, PS 99 implemented an enrichment program for all third, fourth, fifth and sixth grade classrooms to expand arts-based teaching and learning across the grades. “Playing Around” complemented this work as Karen also taught an arts component for each enrichment class.

Our Big Idea engages students in a study of ancient cultures by creating a board game designed to help second grade students (as well as other grades) learn about  the culture. Sixth grade students studied ancient Egypt, Rome, Greece, and the Middle East. They also researched current games and learned about game types.

Each of the four classes focused on one ancient civilization. Teams analyzed contemporary games and determined which type (skill, chance, or strategy) they wanted to create. They visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art to research their culture, finding ancient games in the galleries as well as depictions of people playing games in ancient times.

Team members designed the game board, playing cards, playing pieces and a box for the game. Each team member was responsible for some part, including writing the instructions for playing the game. Teams had to navigate challenges around cooperation and collaboration. Some were more successful than others! When the games were complete, students created a rubric to assess each other’s games. They edited instructions based on feedback from the “testers.”

6th grade students visited their “buddies” in 2nd grade. They taught the younger students how to play their games and spent time playing the games. Each 2nd grader returned to their classroom with new information about an ancient civilization. 2nd grade students were enthusiastic about learning new words. Some reported they were amazed you could learn things by playing a game!

Student comments:
"At the end of this project I noticed  that I learned a lot about ancient civilizations.  By making questions and playing other groups’ games I learned that making games is not easy.  Each game was different and unique.  Every group put a lot of hard work into this project.  I learned that everybody has to participate or the game  is not going to work out.  Making games is about teamwork, and I think each team did a great job!"

"This project helped me learn a lot about the Ancient Middle East and even about my own religion. It helped me understand how people used to live back then. This project was a very valuable experience to me because it gave me a chance to learn a lot about a place where I was born and have a lot of fun at the same time."

"I felt that the game I played was very bad and not organized. I thought it was bad because it had no instruction and we couldn’t play. I noticed that the box looked nice but the pictures were falling off. I didn’t learn much in this game because I didn’t play and  the answers were on the cards which gave us the answers. This was a great experience. I thought this was fun and enjoyable. At the end of this project I learned a lot. I noticed that you must take your time and  do it right the first time."

"When you see people laughing and enjoying the game you feel proud of your accomplishments.  I would do something like this again if given the chance because it is a fun and creative projectand because you can let your imagination run wild in the perilous jungle." "This project was a very valuable experience for me. I learned to be responsible for my part in the group. I also worked with a group and learned to trust them.  Besides learning I had fun making this board game and it was a great experience."

 

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