Change the Game
Grades 3-5
Setup | Opening | Play Time | Closing
Opening Procedure (5-7 minutes)
PEP-UP: Category Countdown (3 min)
1. Make 2 teams. You call a category.
2. Teams name things in that category one by one. No repeating. No blanking.
3. The team that repeats or blanks out loses the round.
4. Possible categories: animals with 4 legs, things in a kitchen, sports, things that are red, jobs.
5. Play 2-3 rounds.
NORMS (30 seconds):
1.Share the materials.
2. Take turns.
3. Respect each other's ideas.
4. Use games carefully.
More Pep-up Options
2/4
Setup | Opening | Play Time | Closing
Session Name
Remix the Game
Age Group
Ages 9-11
Session Intention
Children combine or remix games they know to create something new.
Materials Needed
• Snakes & Ladders (2)
• Ludo (2)
• Bus Stop/Shopping List/Catch and Count/Number Bears (1)
• Pajama Party (1)
• Countdown (1)
• Memory Skills/Mind power (1)
• Gopher it (1)
• Jenga (1)
• Dog and the bone (1)
• Pictureka (1)
• Business / Monopoly (1)
• Why Connect (2)
Classroom Arrangement
1. Form groups of 4-6.
2. Give each group a familiar game or material.
3. Keep extra materials handy for groups that want to expand.
1/4
Setup | Opening | Play Time | Closing
Play Time (~25-28 minutes)
THE PROCESS (5 steps):
1.Give each group a game and let them play for 5 - 10 minutes.
2. Ask groups to plan the remix (4-5 min): what stays, what changes, how do you win?
3. Let the groups set up and play it (10-12 min)
4. Adjust: does it have rules, a way to play, and a way to end?
5. Swap and try another group's remix (5 min).
YOUR ROLE DURING PLAY:
1. Ask groups what they changed and how it is working.
2. If a group only talks - Ask them to try and figure out as they play
STEP IN WHEN NEEDED:
1. Remix is unplayable - What one rule makes it work again?
2. Arguing over whose idea is better - Try both, one round each, compare.
What You May Notice
1. The quality of remixes depends on how much children have played before. This is a later session for a reason.
2. Some remixes will be very creative. Others will be minimal changes. Both are fine.
3. Children learn a lot about what makes games work through trial and error.
3/4
Setup | Opening | Play Time | Closing
Closing (~3-5 minutes)
1. Call out time remaining and ask groups to get ready to share their changed rules.
2. Groups share their remixed game title and one rule in 1 minute each.
3. Ask groups to share the hardest thing about remixing.
4. Ask the children to pack all materials properly.
Try Next Time
1. Refine and improve the remixed games from this session.
2. Let each group write their remixed game rules on a card.
3. Try a tournament with the remixed versions.