This manual makes a case for cooperative (as opposed to competitive) play among disabled and nondisabled children. Part 1, which concerns the philosophy involved, discusses the rationale for cooperative games, the importance of play, cooperative games as an alternative, components of cooperative games, structure of cooperative games, and…

Based on the notion that a "play-way" approach to vocabulary development is superior to rigid, formal lessons, this article presents a vocabulary extension exercise that takes the form of a word game with an element of competition. The method, procedure, and content are clearly outlined, followed by an example of a completed game on the…

Aspects of chess relevant to certain educational issues are explored. Based on findings from a sample of about 50 children from 6 to 18 years of age, discussion focuses on (1) how children play chess and how the process of acquiring expertise differs among children and adults, (2) chess training techniques and why they are effective with children,…

Recognizing that rote drill and practice (rehearsal) has been replaced with game-like teaching formats as a tool for memorization, a study compared the effectiveness of the two methods to teach eight preschoolers to recite their home telephone numbers. In six sessions, children either rehearsed their phone numbers or used small props and rhyming…

This manual provides descriptions of five cooperative learning methods: (1) Student Teams-Achievement Divisions (STAD); (2) Teams-Games-Tournaments (TGT); (3) Jigsaw; (4) Team Accelerated Instruction (TAI); and (5) Cooperative Integrated Reading and Composition (CIRC). For each of these methods, an overview offers a description of the procedures…

This unit consists of a four-part game designed to provide students with a basic understanding of four possible interactions between animal populations. Management of the white-tailed deer, one of the most abundant large wild animals in Missouri, is the central focus of the game. Included with the unit are: (1) unit objectives; (2) pre-game…

Directions for a game which models the feudal system of 11th century Europe are presented for high school and college history courses. The game demonstrates the medieval dependency of social structure on land holdings and vassal obligations. It also permits the expression of personal ambition, with results dependent on the loyalty and…

This ERIC Digest discusses children's play and its relationship to developmental growth from infancy to middle childhood. Discussion focuses on: (1) sensorimotor play in which infants and toddlers experiment with bodily sensation, motor movements, objects, and people; (2) pretend play in which children carry out action plans, take on roles, and…

Three 5-year-old Japanese children with no meaningful words were the subjects of an intervention program. The subjects and therapists played the "shopping game" (in the first term) and the "riding car game" (in the second term) with rules within the subjects' cognitive ability and in a setting designed to facilitate…

On the basis of implications drawn from Piagetian theory, an approach to first-grade arithmetic which eliminated instruction and used only two kinds of activities (situations in daily living and group games) was implemented in an experimental context. Situations in daily living and group games, in contrast to "mechanical" worksheet…

A portion of Mississippi Choctaw culture commonly referred to as "material culture" is described with pictures illustrating the process of making some of the traditional Choctaw items which tribal members have chosen to continue to make. The secondary textbook may be used as a supplement to the state-adopted textbook for the course…

Activities commonly associated with outdoor adventure education can be used effectively in therapy for couples. The adventure education concepts of risk, trust, fear, anxiety, dependence/independence, problem solving, and intimacy are all dealt with in therapy and enrichment experiences for couples. While the outdoor environment has a tremendous…

This report describes ELI, a computer-based educational game that gives participants, as citizens of fictitious cities, the opportunity to examine a variety of typical community issues relating to education within the context of broader city and regional problems. After a brief introduction, the game structure is described, including the setting…

A classroom game, based on football, is described. Procedures, rules, and scoring are all explained and a sample game series is given. The game centers around teams of students being able to answer mathematical problems that the teacher can make up from any area. (LS)

Describes ways in which language students can use their acquired skills in a variety of contexts beyond those provided by any textbook. (PM)