- Reflecting on their choices
- Creative thinking
- Working together
- Applying maths
- And evaluate
Below are guiding questions divided into four phases: preparation, game design, the game itself and reflection.
- Preparation: Finding branches
- What do you pay attention to when choosing a good stick?
- What makes a branch sturdy or fragile?
- Which branch do you think is special? Why?
- Can you find a stick that is as long as your arm? Or as thick as your thumb?
- Which is useful for play: thick or thin branches? Long or short?
Have them gather consciously and attentively. Possibly in pairs or groups.
- Game design: make up value system
- How will you determine how many points each stick is worth?
- Can you think of a system using colours, lengths or shapes?
- Which stick do you think should be worth the most? Why?
- How do you guys make sure it stays fair for everyone?
- What do you do if two sticks are almost the same?
- Could you also give minus points? When then?
Encourage children to create their own rules and system. Have them draw or write it down if necessary.
- During play
- How can you properly agree on who’s turn it is?
- What do you do if you accidentally move another stick?
- What was a difficult choice during your turn?
- Can you predict which stick yields the most?
- How can you play carefully but smartly?
- What makes this version of Mikado different from the classic one?
You can occasionally share observations: ‘I see you guys are helping each other well.’ / ‘Your system works really well!’