Blokus Tournament!

To end of their transformational geometry unit, Paul’s Grade 6 class participated in a Blokus tournament.  Blokus is a game that involves using problem solving skills, and strategies, to help you cover as much of the game board as possible.  One you select a piece you not only need to decide where you want to put it, but also how you are going to transform that shape into the space you have provided.  As the game goes on, students really need to use their knowledge and understanding of transformations to make the pieces fit, or else they’re out!

The class was divided into six teams of four.  Three teams were on each side of the classroom.  There was a scoreboard posted on the blackboard to help keep track of who was advancing to the semi-finals and what everyone’s score was.  For those that didn’t win at their game, the score was still important because the person on each side with the best score (who didn’t win the match at their table) got to be put into a “wild card” spot and advance to the semi’s.  After the semi-finals, the same process was repeated with two winners and two “wild cards” advancing onto the finals.

The final round was played on a giant Blokus board.  The whole class crowed around it to see the final match.  It was interesting to watch the spectators as they were so quiet!  Every now and then one of them would whisper to the person beside them and share what piece they would have used, or a move that they would have made if they made it to the finals.  What was even better to see was that once the “Blokus Champ” was named, all of the other players shook hands and congratulated each other on a game well played.

As an FOS we have a class set of Blokus games that you can borrow to use with your class.  If you are interested in using them, please e-mail me and we can make some arrangements.  As well, if you want to learn more about Blokus, or play an electronic version of Blokus on-line or on your mobile phone you can visit www.blokus.com