As a teacher, my goal for each class is to engage all of the students, to have them learn about the topic presented and often, to have them produce a tangible end product so they are actively learning. I strive to make every class meaningful, productive and goal oriented according to my “plan.” 

This week, during 5th grade Advisory, I let that all go and asked the students to play a simple game and I let the “chips fall where they may.” There was no end product, but they were busy and engaged. They were learning, or maybe re-learning because they had to recall their right from left, which was a long forgotten skill for some. 

The game, Left Center, Right, took seconds to learn and is a game of luck so it’s an even playing field for everyone. It requires a few chips, dice and knowing your right from left. It’s simple, but fun and dramatically changes with each roll of the die – one roll you are winning and the next, you are losing!

The giggles, laughs and yes, the screams, could be heard all the way down the hall. It was a reminder to me that kids, just independently playing a simple game and having fun together, may not produce a tangible end product, but it is a meaningful end product.