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By Derek Premo
During my years as a math teacher, some of the most meaningful learning happened after the main lesson was over. I often used strategy games as extensions to strengthen skills such as logic, spatial reasoning and strategic thinking. Students enjoyed Chess (shout out to @Chessintheschools for equipping me and my classroom with everything we needed to start a Chess Club at our school), Connect 4, Battleship, Racko, and my personal favorite, Blokus. However, the overwhelming student favorite was always Mancala.
Mancala is one of the world's oldest board games, originating in Africa and the Middle East more than a thousand years ago. The name comes from an Arabic word meaning "to move." Played with stones, seeds, or beads in rows of pits, the game requires careful planning, counting, and anticipation of an opponent's moves.
While students thought they were simply having fun, these games helped develop critical math thinking skills that supported learning far beyond the classroom. All of these games are available on our Amazon wish list if you’d like to donate one to a student!
Derek Premo is a Math Teacher, Tutor, and Former HS Principal
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