Teaching with Cardboard

A case for card games

Published on November 11, 2004 By Death_By_Beebles In Misc

Everyone likes some card game or the other, whether it be euchre, poker, or old maid. My great-aunt is a bridge fanatic, so I hear about it all the time.

As I've said in one of my previous articles (To see it click the Link ) I'm tutoring a young man named Kyle. The more I think about trying to teach him large number addition and subtraction, the more I think a game like Yu-Gi-Oh! might help.

For those uninitiated geeks, or for those people who do not have small children, Yu-Gi-Oh! is another one of those childhood crazes imported directly from Japan, (think tamagochi or pokemon). Yu-Gi-Oh! is a card game that comes complete with comic books, graphic novels, a TV show, and a whole bunch of toys and accessories. If you haven't seen some Yu-Gi-Oh! stuff at a store, you probably haven't been looking at anything.

Well, in Yu-Gi-Oh!, there are cards called monsters, and they "attack" to remove your opponent's "Life Points". At the beginning of the game, each player starts with 8000 Life Points (LP). Each creature has a large number of attack points and a large number of "Defense" points.

So, when a creature with 1850 attack points attacks a 425 Attack creature, higher addition and subtraction comes into play to see how many points the other player looses from their total. It's nerdy, but to a point, it's an education tool.

Just rambling along... maybe I'll come up with something of value one of these days...

Peace,

Beebes

Comments

dharmagrl

on Nov 11, 2004

I think that's a brilliant idea. They key to teaching a kid anything is to make it interesting for them...and I haven't come across a boy who hasnt been somewhat interested in Yu-Gi-Oh!

My boys have some they don't use...if decide to go with this method of teaching they've volunteered to send you some of them.

Tractor Chick

on Nov 11, 2004

Well Alex I think you have come on with an excellent idea.. It might actually work having fun while learning which is what you have to strieve for, to make the kids actually learn and maybe he has to see what he is doin. I can learning by watching than hearing. You just have to find his learning tool..
Plus he has to beable to learn this game and hopefully it isn't as hard a magic and I doubt it is..

Stacey

Zoologist03

on Nov 11, 2004

Interesting, Alex....You've got a potentially bitchin' idea here....hurry, run to the patent office or something....although since Yu-Gi-Oh! is already copyrighted it probably wouldn't do any good...Update me on this thing, I'm curious to see how its working...

~Zoo

NJforever

on Nov 11, 2004

Yeah, it sounds like a really good idea. Always easier to learn what you love

Texas Wahine

on Nov 11, 2004

What you are suggesting is anchoring -- you are establishing a connection between the math and something in his life that he is familiar with. It's an excellent way to help him retain what he's learned and get him excited about it as well. Are you considering becoming a teacher, Beebles?

InBloom

on Nov 11, 2004

That's awesome that you are connecting his tutoring to something he loves to do.

I have several students in my class who love that game...they seem to love good natured competition...I actually have something slightly similar to that in my classroom...they gain points for various things in my classroom, and it has become a big motivator for many...I think It has worked especially well this year since my classroom is mostly made up of boys....(and there are a few competitive girls in there also lol)

Death_By_Beebles

on Nov 11, 2004

Thank you all for replying...

My boys have some they don't use...if decide to go with this method of teaching they've volunteered to send you some of them.

Dharma, you have rare children indeed, if they would give something that they own to someone they don't know. Tell your boys thank you, and I'll let you know if I decide to go that path in my teaching.

Update me on this thing, I'm curious to see how its working

Well, first I have to figure out if Kyle likes Yu-Gi-Oh!. If he does, then I have a few of the cards running around somewhere, and I'll pull them out of storage. I'll let you know how things progress.

It might actually work having fun while learning

Yeah, most of the time, I learn better when I'm interested in what I'm learning. I'm guessing Kyle might go to his higher math a little better if he liked it.

Are you considering becoming a teacher, Beebles?

I've considered many things, Tex. I've considered being a preacher, a teacher, an engineer, an architect, a vet, and countless other career fields. Right now I'm leaning towards Doctor of Pharmacy. I've always had the desire to create, and I've always wanted to help people. I'm hoping that Pharmacy is the right field for me.

You never know, though.

I might end up being a teacher.

Peace,

Beebes

wnx_decoy

on Nov 11, 2004

Dude, maybe we could be like Mrs. Mendenhall and Ms. Meyer. I could be full time band director and you could be part time band director. You could teach whatever it is you'd teach and then come help out when you have the time! Probably not, but I think it would be cool.

Capt. over and out!

dharmagrl

on Nov 11, 2004

Dharma, you have rare children indeed, if they would give something that they own to someone they don't know.

Well, they read about what you were trying to do with your student, and they thought that it was a good idea...so they said to tell you that they'd let him have some of their cards that they don't use or have duplicated if he wanted them. Davey in particular was quite moved - said he couldn't imagine someone not being able to do math properly and that learning with Yu-Gi-Oh! sounded like it was fun.

Tell your boys thank you,

Will do. I'm sure they'll be tickled that you acknowledged them!

Death_By_Beebles

on Nov 11, 2004

That would be kinda cool!

It would be wonderful to insure the future of America through teaching. I just don't think it's for me at this current time.

We'll see.

Peace,

Beebes

wnx_decoy

on Nov 11, 2004

That's alright, I just don't think I would like getting a job with a high salalry. The end profits are higher this way. Well, whatever you do, good luck dude.

Capt. over and out!

carebear07

on Nov 11, 2004

Dude!! That's an awesome idea Alex! How do you get so dang smart?!

~carebear~

Zoologist03

on Nov 12, 2004

How do you get so dang smart?!

Drugs...lots and lots and lots of experimental drugs to enchance brain growth and stimulate electrical pulses in the brain...

....j/k...or am I?

~Zoo

Death_By_Beebles

on Nov 12, 2004

Drugs...lots and lots and lots of experimental drugs to enchance brain growth and stimulate electrical pulses in the brain...

You'll never know...

Peace,

Beebes

Welcome Guest! Please take the time to register with us.
There are many great features available to you once you register, including:

Richer content, access to many features that are disabled for guests like commenting on the forums.
Access to a great community, with a massive database of many, many areas of interest.
Access to contests & subscription offers like exclusive emails.
It's simple, and FREE!