WITH THANKS TO NANCY KORTE, LEARNING GIZMOS, WARREN, MICHIGAN

OUR MATH NIGHTS HAVE BEEN INCREDIBLY SUCCESSFUL! WE REQUIRE ENOUGH TEACHER VOLUNTEERS (PARENTS ARE FINE IF THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH TEACHERS) TO COVER THE NUMBER OF GAMES THAT ARE DEMONSTRATED. IF WE HAVE LESS THAN THAT, WE DOUBLE UP SOME OF THE GAMES.

WE ASK THAT THE VOLUNTEERS ARRIVE AT LEAST AN HOUR BEFORE THE GAME NIGHT BEGINS. WE BREAKOUT INTO TWO GROUPS AND DEMONSTRATE EACH GAME. EACH GAME REQUIRES ABOUT 5-10 MINUTES OF EXPLANATION. WE GENERALLY WILL PLAY THE GAME FOR A FEW MINUTES SO THAT THE TEACHERS CAN SEE HOW MUCH FUN THEY ARE AND AT THAT TIME DECIDE WHICH PARTICULAR GAME THEY WOULD LIKE TO DEMONSTRATE. THIS SHOULD TAKE NO LONGER THAN 1 HOUR.

THE SECOND HOUR IS GAME TIME!! THIS EVENT USUALLY TAKES PLACE IN THE SCHOOL CAFETERIA. THERE SHOULD BE 10 LONG TABLES SO THAT A GAME CAN BE PLAYED AT EACH END OF THE TABLE. THE IDEA IS THAT WHEN THE FAMILIES ARRIVE...THEY GO FROM TABLE TO TABLE PLAYING THE GAMES.

WE ADVISE THE TEACHERS THAT AS THE FAMILIES APPROACH THE TABLE TO PLAY A GAME...ENCOURAGE THE PARENTS TO PLAY ALSO. THE FOCUS OF THIS EVENT IS TO GET FAMILIES TO SIT DOWN AND PLAY EDUCATIONAL GAMES TOGETHER. THE CHILDREN ARE EXPOSED TO SO MUCH TELEVISION, COMPUTER GAMES, AND GAME BOYS THAT THIS IS A REFRESHING ESCAPE.

TIPS TO REMEMBER:
THE DOORS TO THE EVENT SHOULD BE CLOSED UNTIL GAME TIME. PARENTS AND FAMILIES USUALLY ARRIVE BEFORE THE SCHEDULED TIME AND THE ANTICIPATION IS ALWAYS GREAT IF THEY MUST WAIT OUTSIDE THE DOOR. ALSO, THIS PROVIDES MORE TIME TO GET EVERYTHING SET-UP.

WHEN THE FAMILIES ARRIVE THERE SHOULD BE A VOLUNTEER AT THE DOOR PASSING OUT RAFFLE TICKETS TO EACH CHILD AND A FLYER ABOUT THE STORE THAT IS HOSTING THE MATH NIGHT.
FOOD AND BEVERAGES SHOULD NOT BE PROVIDED DURING THE MATH NIGHT. EVEN THOUGH THIS IS A GREAT WAY TO BRIBE THE FAMILIES TO COME...IT SHOULD BE GIVEN AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE MATH NIGHT. NUMBER ONE....WE DON'T WANT OUR GAMES RUINED BY SPILLED POP. NUMBER TWO...IF THERE'S FOOD...THE CHILDREN ARE GOING TO BE MORE INTERESTED IN EATING THAN PLAYING A GAME.

A MINIMUM OF 75 PARTICIPANTS IS REQUIRED. THIS INCLUDES PARENTS AND CHILDREN (NOT VOLUNTEERS.) PUT AN RSVP ON THE FLYER SO YOU WILL KNOW AHEAD OF TIME IF THE SCHOOL WILL MEET THE REQUIREMENT. YOU CAN DECIDE WHAT YOU WANT TO DO IF IT IS LESS. WE JUST INCORPORATED A $25 FEE FOR THE MATH NIGHT IF THE EXPECTED TOTAL IS LESS THAN 75... AND THE SCHOOL STILL WANTS TO HOST IT.

WE DO A RAFFLE AT THE END OF THE EVENT AND THE WINNERS MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN. THE SCHOOL PURCHASES AN AGE APPROPRIATE GAME FOR EACH GRADE. WE THEN HAVE A GIFT BAG FOR EACH GRADE AND THE CHILDREN PUT THEIR TICKET IN THE APPROPRIATE BAG. THE PRINCIPAL USUALLY PICKS ALL THE WINNERS. IT IS SO CUTE TO SEE HOW EXCITED THE CHILDREN GET. IT TRULY IS THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE EVENING.

AFTER THE RAFFLE, WE USUALLY THANK THE PERSON WHO ARRANGED THE MATH NIGHT AND EVERYONE FOR COMING. AT THAT TIME WE ANNOUNCE THAT ALL THE GAMES ARE FOR SALE. PARENTS AND TEACHERS USUALLY BUY MANY GAMES.

WE DO NOT STATE THE AGE OR GRADE. WE DO, HOWEVER, INFORM THE TEACHERS DURING THE DEMONSTRATION THAT INFORMATION IS ON EACH GAME BOX REGARDING AGE APPROPRIATENESS. THE REASON FOR THIS IS THAT WE DO NOT WANT TO DISCOURAGE A CHILD FROM PLAYING A GAME IF THE AGE RANGE IS YOUNGER OR OLDER THAN THEY ARE.

TEACHER STORES SHOULD PUT A GAME NIGHT FLYER IN EACH CUSTOMER'S BAG WITH A SCHEDULE OF UPCOMING GAME NIGHTS IN THE AREA. THAT'S WHAT WE DID AND IT WAS VERY SUCCESSFUL.

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Odyssey learning also has a very successful program, see how they do it.

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How to Host a Game Night - With thanks to Alison Summers

Teachers! PTA Members! Family Members!

Would you like to coordinate a GAME NIGHT for your students! It's a
great way to introduce your students to such games which challenge and
teach- and it also allows you the opportunity to involve the community
in your school!

Here's How to Make it Happen!

1. Find a Location! Talk to your principal about the cafeteria or
gymnasium. If you cannot use any school locations, look into
restaurants and other areas which have both good seating and a place to
play.
2. Find a Sponsor! Talk to your local Game Store! Many games stores
can offer support in the form of demo copies, finding you people to
lead/show games, posters and prize support, etc.
3. Set A Date! Give yourself at least four-six weeks to put everything
together. Make sure to check your date with your location and your
sponsor.
4. Get the Word Out. An excellent technique is to pass out flyers to
all of the students in your school. Often Sponsoring Game Stores will help provide paper or Copies- if they can be listed on the flyer! Make announcements at PTA meetings, and also at
other meetings you attend- church, fraternal, veteran.
5. Get Games Together. (Make certain to encourage Families to bring
not just games that they like to play, but extra games as well.) Check
with the Chess Club and other game clubs to have copies of those games
as well. Talk to other teachers about games from their rooms.
6. Get Volunteers! There are many game companies who offer
Demonstrations, Demo Copies, and volunteers. Pass the word that you will also need
more volunteers to help with food and clean-up.
7. Get Food. Talk to local restaurants about sponsorships, or
inexpensive options. Many pizza restaurants have a school special.
Or have them donate for ‘advertising’ at the Game Night. Have beverages, and LOTS of napkins.
8. Arrive Early. Set up with posters.
9. HAVE FUN.
It takes a lot of organization- but it is definitely worth it! Games give our children the skills they need to survive in the world- while at the same time giving them a great intelligent alternative to video
games, gangs, etc.

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Please let us know how this works for you. - feedback .

Many thanks

Sharon Davis

Dream Green

P.O. Box 2347
Weirton, WV 26062

Fax: (304) 723-4559