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Create a Card Game

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Grades: 4-8

Create a Card Game

Students create their own card, or board, game based on the storyline of a book they are reading.

Engage

Ask students about the board games, card games, and video games they play and what make them enjoyable.

Identify games that use a storyline. Does a storyline affect the gameplay and how a player relates to the game?

Let students know they will work in small teams to create a card game based on the storyline of a book the group is reading.

Create

Have teams revisit what they know about characters and events in the story and record ideas with a character trait cluster. Encourage them to consider assigning points or powers for character traits.

Next, students should brainstorm ideas for gameplay. Because the options are almost unlimited, students can model their game after one they know. Encourage them to ask and answer questions like:

  • What is the objective of the game?
  • How does one win?

Students will also need to decide what type of game they want to create and the materials needed, and then begin crafting directions and rules of play.

Students can use a storyboard to sequence the events in the story and then the steps in the game.

As the game begins to take shape, it’s time to divide and conquer to create the components of the game. The team needs to decide who will design, edit, and produce components, such as:

  1. Instructions and rules of play
  2. Cards, tokens, or other game pieces
  3. Promotional materials

As they flesh out directions and game design, have students play the game amongst their own team and revise accordingly.

When teams are confident about their game, they should produce a final set of game components to share with others outside the group.

Share

Host a day where teams partner to teach, facilitate, and play each other's games. Leave time at the end of class so teams can talk with each other about features they like. Then, host a gaming party at lunch or after school for other students to join in the fun.

Common Core Anchor Standards for English Language Arts

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.2
Determine central ideas or themes of a text and analyze their development; summarize the key supporting details and ideas.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.3
Analyze how and why individuals, events, or ideas develop and interact over the course of a text.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.W.3
Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, well-chosen details and well-structured event sequences.