Curriculum Goals
Students learn probability, sequencing, and collaborative reflection. The course also reinforces resilience by normalizing restarts and strategic pauses.
Learning outcomes
- Calculate odds during draw decisions.
- Explain multi-step reasoning aloud.
- Demonstrate sportsmanship during group challenges.
Week by Week Plan
| Week | Focus | Activities |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fundamentals of Klondike | Introduce rules, build vocabulary, reflect on first impressions |
| 2 | Probability and branching | Decision trees, expected value worksheets, small group problem solving |
| 3 | Storytelling and SEL | Journaling about setbacks, peer feedback circles, mindful breaks |
| 4 | Capstone challenge | Timed relays, class leaderboard, celebration and reflection |
Classroom Logistics
Provide physical decks for tactile learning and digital apps for homework. Set up stations so every student has space. Encourage collaboration by pairing students with complementary strengths.
Material checklist
- Class set of playing cards plus protective sleeves.
- Apple Classroom or similar tools for monitoring digital practice.
- Anchor charts describing key strategies and terminology.
Assessment Ideas
Use formative assessments during gameplay and summative reflections at the end of each week. Grade based on reasoning, teamwork, and adherence to the plan rather than win rate.
Assessment mix
- Quick exit tickets explaining a move choice.
- Peer reviews of collaborative strategy sessions.
- Final reflection essay on how patience impacted success.
Family Engagement
Send weekly newsletters with practice prompts so families can play at home. Offer optional virtual office hours for guardians curious about the curriculum.