Y6/7 students in Room 16 dived into Maths this year by learning the card game 31.

The game of 31 exercises their addition, subtraction and multiplication skills. It also helps them to strategise and test their memory in terms of noticing discarded cards. This game is an ideal Rapid Routine game played as a warm up exercise for our Maths lessons, as Maths is one of our core NZ Curricula subjects, being taught 5 times a week across the Think Tank syndicate.

Some of the former 2023 students of Room 16 managed to teach this game to the new students in 15 minutes, they enjoyed the game and made some new friends in the process. It was great to see the different dynamics and teaching styles, when the students teach students. Some of the teams had a blast and their style was temperamental and competitive, whilst others took a more silent and serious approach to master the game.

Students have a “game cabinet” at their disposal, decorated by some dedicated 2023 students, which holds different games and puzzles. A few of this year’s students can already play chess and our next goal is to teach this game to all of the students. Old fashioned Maths and card games, puzzles, like the Rubik’s cube etc. are perfect games for the morning, after lunch or during rainy days. Students teaching each other helps to build relationships and foster healthy competition between the Think Tank classrooms.