Let’s Break Some Rules

Time for:

• Plan: 5 min
• Execute: 30 min

Type(s) of Essential(s):

Prerequisite:

• Board Game Review

Overview

Learners collaborate with peers to select a board game, change its rules, and share new rules with the group.

Essentials in the Activity

This activity allows learners to further understand how rules connect to the game’s goals and how modifying the goals and rules impact gameplay. In groups, learners study one game in depth, playing one or more rounds and discussing gameplay with their peers. They then collectively produce different rule modifications and play rounds with these new rules before finalizing rule changes. The process of collectively creating new rules enhances learners’ self and social awareness and relationship skills. In reflecting on their gameplay and creating a new gameplay experience, learners engage in metacognition and utilize their critical thinking, responsible decision-making, and task performance skills.

Goals and Outcomes

Goals: Learners deepen understanding of game design and how rules impact gameplay.

Outcomes: Learners develop their understanding of game design by modifying rules and noticing how this impacts gameplay and goals. They enhance their communication and social emotional skills and creativity as they collaborate with peers to generate rule changes that create different experiences for players.

Materials

Games in Board Game Review; Let’s Break Some Rules sheet; Optional: writing instrument

Preparation

Complete prerequisites.

Blank dry erase board or digital whiteboard; Games from Board Game Review activity and group them on a table;

Duplicates of Let’s Break Some Rules sheet (enough for each learner)

Familiarization with Tic-Tac-Toe or easy entry another game

Note: If learners are not as familiar with Tic Tac Toe, select a different game many of them have played.

Implementation and Completion

Inform learners we’ll modify rules to Tic-Tac-Toe as a group. Ask learners to state the game’s rules and write them on the board. Request volunteers to play the game using the listed rules. After one or two rounds, ask learners to change rules. Examples may be increasing the grid size (i.e., 5x4 or 5x5) or marking two Xs or Os with each turn. Have volunteers play rounds with the new rules, and ask for additional input on rule changes following each round. After a few rounds, tell learners they’ll complete a similar activity with board and card games.

Have learners identify one, two, or three partners and distribute the Let’s Break Some Rules sheet. If printing the sheet is not an option, distribute blank paper and writing instruments to each group. State the instructions: “Select one game played during the Board Game Review activity to change the rules. Play rounds of gameplay with your partner(s) and write the original rules on the paper. Then decide and agree on rules to change and write the new rules on the sheet.” Conclude with addressing learners’ questions.

Check on groups as they generate new rules. After each group finalizes their rules, have each group present a demo of the game to their peers, and encourage learners to ask questions. If possible, provide time for learners to play the games with the new rules.