Homeworkopoly

I have seen versions of Homeworkopoly in different places.  Over the summer, I decided to create the board.  Teachnet.com has the board you can download.  It comes out to be quite large.  My first debate was where on Earth I was going to put it.  I already have so much in my room.  I picked up a tri fold board from Wal-mart.  It works perfectly.

I was able to tape the board to the middle with a little overlap on each side.

After placing the game board on, I put contact paper over it to protect it.

On one side of the board, I put a copy of the rules that I created, and a list of possible prizes. You can find those here.

On the other side, I created little card holders by gluing three sides of card stock paper to the board.  I created Chance and Community Lunchbox cards (template on teachnet.com).  The prizes I wrote on there are the same ones on the prize sheet.  The Brain Binders are fun little thinking activities found on teachnet.com.  I made smaller versions, so I could get more on a piece of paper.  On the back, I attached a qr code with a link to the site, so they could see what the solution would look like.

My next debate was how I would keep up with what prizes the kids earned and where they ended.  With 75 kids, there was no way I could give each one a game piece.  I created an Excel Sheet with the prizes and properties listed and a place to put each student's name on top.  Almost all of the prizes include some sort of pass.  Those are cheap prizes!!! After everyone plays, I can pass out the appropriate passes.

Now, I had to figure out how often I would do this.  My main homework is a weekly assignment they receive on Monday and it is due by Friday.  If they do not have it, they have lunch detention (that could be a whole post on the blog).  I always have someone eating lunch with me.  This year, I wanted to try and reduce the number of lunch detentions, so I "encourage" each student to bring 5 problems Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.  This includes justifications (that is a whole post too).  I don't grade them, but I just check to see they are completing all of it, etc. Now, I am able to discuss what they might be doing wrong before they turn the finished product in.  I have been doing this for two weeks now, and I love it.  Each day they have it, they will earn one roll.  We will roll either Friday or Monday.  Some kids earned 4 rolls!  Next week, I have told the kids that if they do not have their work at the door, they will pay one math buck (another post for that too).  Anyone who lands on "Free Homework" will earn a homework pass and all the math bucks collected!

My next problem was how the kids would see their movement on the board.  I wanted them to have a visual, but I didn't want to mess up the board.  I used a little sticky note.  You can see it in the picture above. All I need to do is tell each student where to put the marker, and we are ready to roll.

We did this today.  I knew the first time would take a little longer.  While the kids were working on classwork, I called each kid up to complete the number of rolls they had earned.  Kids were still able to ask me for help, so it worked.  I told them that if they stop working and just watch the rolling, they will lose their roll.  I didn't have any problems with this.

With one class, I had two kids come up and roll at the same time (I used an orange and pink sticky).  That made it go quicker.  Once we get the routine, I anticipate about 15 minutes will be needed.  I also plan on designating a student to be the leader, so I can monitor other things.

The kids loved earning the prizes.  I even heard a few say that they needed to do their problems tonight, so they could roll next week.  SCORE!  I am able to fold it up and place it against the wall out of the way until next week.  My sheets are on the clipboard, so I know what passes to hand out and where each student will begin next week.

If you decide to create the game, make it work to fit the needs of your class.  It is a great motivation tool.

Happy Game Day!