Catholic Hearts Domestic Church

Games played this past week

Mixing up the pretzels

UPDATE:

It used to be that the trivium was taught before all else:

• grammar
• logic
• rhetoric

These three (the Trivium) taught the children how to think, preparing their minds to be open to all further learning. These pieces were *foundational*.

Now, unless you are fortunate to attend a truly decent school (whether public or private) or utilize a top-notch homeschool curriculum, these things are just not taught or experienced.

The Trivium paved the way for the remaining foundational studies in the Quadrivium:

• Arithmetic (number in itself)
• Geometry (number in space)
• Music (number in time)
• Astronomy (number in space and time)

I cannot speak for other curricula, since there is nothing I use so fully and completely as the AMI version of Montessori education for primary and elementary. A Montessori education allows me, as mother and teacher, as well as the student, to utilize whatever needed components from SO many other sources. Montessori provides the foundation and the framework, the child’s interests and local educational requirements fill in the rest.

I can say that Montessori albums, when followed in laying the educational foundation, both academically and spiritually, CAN and DO provide the liberal arts in their entirety.

So why do we care about the liberal arts? The most concise answer can be found in the article “On the Purpose of  Liberal Arts Education” by Robert Harris (click on the title for the full, long but fascinating article).

I. A liberal arts education teaches you how to think

II. A liberal arts education teaches you how to learn.

III. A liberal arts education allows you to see things whole

IV. A liberal arts education enhances wisdom and faith

V. A liberal arts education makes you a better teacher

VI. A liberal arts education will contribute to your happiness

From The Idea of a University by John Henry Newman

“[The purpose of a liberal arts education is to] open the mind, to correct it, to refine it, to enable it to know, and to digest, master, rule, and use its knowledge, to give it power over its own faculties, application, flexibility, method, critical exactness, sagacity, resource, address, [and] eloquent expression. . . .”

So don’t leave out these subjects because there isn’t time to fit them in (like astronomy…). These things are the fuel for all other learning. Said another way, other learning isn’t worth it without the foundation.

What is a WFF?????

A Well-Formed Formula of course

Huh? You’re asking?

Well here is a Wikipedia article on it, but if you’re like me and still saying, “Huh!?” here is a short answer:

In mathematical logic, a well-formed formula, shortly wff, often simply formula, is a word (i.e. a finite sequence of symbols from a given alphabet) which is part of a formal language.

A formal language can be considered to be identical to the set containing all and only its formulas.

——————————————————————————-

And the better answer is: it’s a statement that follows a set of rules. Think of A=B, B=C, therefore A=C. If certain things are true, then other things are true based on sets of given information. Both our language of words and our language of numbers (mathematics) are based on these principles.

We love this game from WFF ‘N Proof: Games for Thinkers:

WFF: The Beginners Game of Modern Logic

Details from their website:

WFF includes the first two games from the complete WFF ?N PROOF series. Two engaging speed games allow players to learn to recognize WFF’s (Well Formed Formulas) in symbolic logic. Both Shake-a-WFF and Count-a-WFF are fast-paced, exciting games dealing with a unique symbolic system. They are an appealing exercise for all ages.

There are two games within this one (actually a few more if you count the other variations): Shake-a-Wff which is a competition – both players play at the same time and grab a coin in the middle when they have a WFF first. And there is Sequential WFF where the players take turns, so there is no “race.”

My 7 year old really, really, really wants to play competition WFF, but he’s so into the time-racing component he makes a LOT of mistakes and neither does he proceed nor does anyone else have the opportunity to proceed forward.
So we do a lot of Sequential WFF (players take turns, using as much time as they need to create a Well-Formed-Formula).

If you’re looking for a really good LOGIC program or curriculum, this is the way to go. The basic game is $3.50. The next step up is only $35, can be played by a 6 year old and still be challenging for a 60 year old math genius: WFF ‘N PROOF: The Game of Modern Logic.

Here is a game we’ve been playing:

EQUATIONS: The Game of Creative Mathematics - From WFF 'N PROOF

You roll the dice, create a “goal” (the answer to the equation); then take turns moving the cubes into either forbidden, possible, and required categories, all the while keeping your equation to reach the goal secret.

When you see someone else make a mistake, you call a flub (there are several types of flubs). Then you have to prove yourself right or the opponent wrong.

It’s math, it’s strategy… it’s logic! Who needs a formal logic curriculum or logic program, when you have games like these from WFF ‘n Proof?



From their website:

At home, EQUATIONS lets the whole family share a quality learning experience and have fun too. People of all ages become fascinated by this game. It creates a rich problem-solving interaction filled with complex strategy, bluffing and intrigue. The basic game can be taught to eight-year olds using simple arithmetic. As players develop skill, the game becomes more sophisticated. It ultimately expands to concepts that will challenge any intelligent adult.

EQUATIONS explores a broad range of math topics including elementary arithmetic operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, exponentiation and root operation as well as logarithms, fractions, decimals, percents, variables, algebra, functions and more.

It sounds complicated – but it is addictive fun!

REQUIRED:  get the DVD to learn how to play – well worth the $5!

Got a Montessori child? They could be ready at late 6 – but only if they’ve been playing WFF: The Beginner’s Game of Modern Logic. I strongly recommend this game for all children, but Montessori children will be especially intrigued by it. It can then be followed up by WFF ‘N PROOF: The Game of Modern Logic. More on these in another post

We’ve been playing a LOT of games lately. Some we got for Christmas, others we pulled out because we’re in game-mode – some new, some old…

We stopped at Kroger the day after Christmas – going to tae-kwon-do class near there anyway and hoped to get some Christmas candy on discount. Well, I was disappointed in the candy selection (it’s ok, I found my candy selection at a different Kroger a week later – $4 bags of candy for $1!!!!) — but we did pick up a Monopoloy card game for $2. I thought, “This could be good! We like Monopoly!”

Here it is

Image by 铁蛋骑士 via Flickr

Hm. Well. It is described as addictive. I guess if you’re deprived of anything of interest.

Not to sound unduly harsh, but really? If you’re going to have a game that plays THIS fast (it can be over in less than 5 minutes), let’s have some strategy at least.

I don’t know even know where to begin.

So I’ll devolve for a moment: I like Monopoly – I like the length. If you’re going to PLAY, then PLAY.  I like encouraging long attention spans in children. If you’re going to have something with short hands (Mille Bornes can be fast! and it’s far cooler), then do something where you’re adding up points per hand – this builds some more strategy into it. And long-term patience with ups and downs – there are so many virtues learned and practiced.

Monopoly Deal is not like that. There are no points; the money counts for nothing in the end; there is no net value; I could go on….

You draw cards that are properties, money, action cards, houses and hotels.

You only need one house to place a hotel (and you leave the house – full sets required before placing houses). Ok, it’s a fast-paced card game, things are going to change.

You draw two extra cards for passing Go (an action card).

How do you win?

You only need 3 complete property sets (and there are so many wild cards, it’s unbelievable how fast you can put together sets of cards). That’s it.

• You don’t need any particular properties – just 3 sets. Park Place and Boardwalk are barely harder to get than the Baltic set (especially with all the wilds).
• Money on hand doesn’t matter.
• Net worth doesn’t matter.
• Debt doesn’t matter.
• Just three complete sets of properties.

Yeah. We changed the rules. You now need FOUR sets; with a HOUSE; and 20M cash on hand. It makes the game MUCH more interesting —- and almost long enough to tolerate. Almost.

But here’s the kicker: the ATTITUDE.

• You don’t just have a birthday and are blessed with money from other players. You *demand* birthday money on your birthday. Now, the card itself is worded fine — it’s the instructions that screw it up here.
• Sly deal cards allow you to *steal* a property from another player. Cannot break up a full set.
• You don’t request/pay rent – it is forced. There’s no landing on properties, so someone can “force” rent with the proper card played, at any time they like (as long as it is their turn).
• There are debt collectors – it doesn’t matter how well you play to assure you stay out of debt, you can get hit by a debt collector, again with the “force” to pay up (given that the original Monopoly did not allow debt at all – you were out of the game if you couldn’t pay – society has changed). But then get this: if you have no cards to pay the debt with, you just don’t pay, but you KEEP PLAYING. WHAT!? You can avoid debt like that!?!?!?!? I want to live in *that* society! (ok, I actually don’t… think of the ramifications… things are bad enough in this one with the debt…)
• Then there are “Just Say No” cards – you can play them on any of the action cards to stop an action against you (now the other player could have a “Just Say No” to stop the first “Just Say No” card. This tells me that when we tell our children to “Just Say No” to inappropriate offers of any kind, it can be over-ridden by the one making the demand. I think our society has become SO insensitive to not even realize how much these little things teach our sensitive young children.
• Deal Breakers “steal” a complete set from another player – houses, hotels and all. Again, not “You inherited property!” or “Pay another player half the property value to purchase the entire set!” – this would still force the situation, but are not encouraging the wrong attitude.
• At least “Forced Deal” is a swap with another player – the other player doesn’t get to pick what they swap though. It just can’t break up a full set.

Other action cards are harsh but at least not offensive to good morals.

It is fast; furious considering the attitude it promotes; and downright immoral. And to think that some people don’t play the original Monopoly because of the capitalism it promotes. This game could be downright evil in that regard.

Yep. Monopoly ADHD. With an attitude.

To leave this on an up-beat: At least you can choose HOW to pay someone. While change is never given (if all you can pay is too much, you don’t get change), you can choose to pay your debts with a combination of money and properties — bartering of a sort!

I still think we’re scrapping this one. Unless I decide to re-write the offensive cards – they’re not BAD, it’s just the WORDS that incite the ATTITUDE.  How about: It’s your birthday! All players gift you to 2M! (not demanding it).

We’ve already re-written the rules. Why not re=write the cards?

Because it’s a $2 game that never should have been bought. I should have known better to read the entire box first. Therefore I want to make up for my mistake.