Episode 12: Back to (Home)school: Planning Games for the Academic Year

Have you been wondering if you can integrate games into a formal school curriculum? Do you want to enrich a potentially dry subject area with something fun? How do find games that intrigue students and light the fire of interest? More importantly, how do you make the time?

 

This week, Laura and Chris pull back the curtain and show how they plan for games during the school year that enliven studies and reinforce concepts. Join us as we talk about games for Ancient Roman History.

 

This episode serves as a preview for several of the games that we will be covering in depth in the coming weeks. Be sure to stay tuned as we will be going further up and further in.

 

Recommended  Games:

 

Circus Maximus – This fun simulation of chariot racing, published by Avalon Hill, is now a collectible. Replacement boards and pieces, along with chariot minis, can be purchased though Camelot Games.

Gladiator – Not entirely historically accurate, this Avalon Hill game is more like a Hollywood version of gladiator fighting, but it makes a great conversation starter for discussions of Roman culture. Camelot Games is, again, your best source for replacement pieces.

Ancient Civilizations of the Inner Sea – This recently published board game from GMT Games looks to be a worthy successor to other broad scale strategy games like Civilization. If you’re trying to learn Mediterranean geography and the civilizations that exist in competition with Rome, especially with older students, this looks like it’s going to be a great addition.

Pax Romana – Another GMT game, focusing on the various competing empires in the Mediterranean between 300 BC and 100 AD.

Imperium Romanum II – This West End Games simulation of the Roman Empire is currently out-of-print, but searching the collector's market is well worth the effort. 

Republic of Rome – This classic Avalon Hill game is a simulation of Roman politics during the Roman Republic.

Falling Sky & Ariovistus – A Counterinsurgency simulation from GMT games, Falling Sky goes deep into the Gallic Wars. If you're reading through Julius Caesar's account in either the original or translation, this would be an excellent complement and help bring the text to life.

Command & Colors Ancients – This ancient battle simulation is reasonably simple and fast playing, with many scenarios being playable within an hour once the rules are understood. The base game contains battles from the Punic Wars. Several expansions are available which cover a large number of the most important military engagements in the ancient world. 

Outmatched – We love IEW for their writing curricula, but their foray into games has been just as satisfying. This quick-playing card game helps drill history facts in a highly rewarding manner.

Palatinus – If you want to dig into the earliest foundations of the city, this tile and card game from Mayfair Games will help with learning the populations vying for control of the Palatine hill and the village that would rule the world.

By Jove – A "monopoly" style game from Aristoplay, this now collectible game is a fun way to learn about Roman Mythology.

Roman Dice Games – This set includes reproduction pigs' knuckles, as well as 6 standard wooden dice, and a collection of rules for early dice games. 

Child Sized Masterpieces – This is a Montessori-style approach to art appreciation, using postcard sized art cards and a series of matching games to help build familiarity with artists and schools of art. The book includes directions for creating your own expansions, and we'll be putting together sets for Roman sculpture, mosaics, and architecture for our household.

 

Recommended Reading:

Candyland Was Invented for Polio Wards – This article in the Atlantic covers the fascinating story behind the beloved childhood game.

 

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Intro and Outro Music:

"Crunk Knight" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/