Strategy games offer children opportunities to think mathematically, rather than produce specific mathematical results. We know children learn through different modalities. Play experiences and games help them to relax long enough to understand, figure out the strategy and respond to the challenge. Children gain and win at times when they might not otherwise feel they can succeed. Of course, winning is not what’s most important.
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TRAFFIC LIGHTS
Traffic Lights is a fun game that it easy to make. Draw your game board and gather your colored counters.
WHAT YOU NEED:
3 x 3 squared board
Counters: your game needs about 6 red counters, 6 orange, and 6 green.
RULES for the BASIC GAME
>Traffic Lights is for two players.
> At the start of the game the board is empty.
>The players take turns to play.
>When it is your turn to play, you have 3 choices: place a red counter in an empty square, or replace a red counter already on the board with an orange one, or replace an orange counter already on the board with a green one.
>You win by completing a line (row, column, or diagonal) of three counters all the same color. It doesn’t matter who placed the first counter(s) in the line – it’s the third counter of the line which determines the winner.
After playing several times, the players may enjoy the challenge of Version 2.
VERSION 2
This game modifies your 3×3 board. Add an additional 3×1 strip placed against one edge, and the board now becomes a 4×3 board.
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TWO STONES
A Game for Two Players
Make a game board like the one above.
Each player needs two distinctive game pieces.
To play:
Place two game pieces at the top and two at the bottom as shown below.
