Through the years, I have learned to teach my students how to play Memory before turning them loose to play. Teaching Kids How to Make the Memory Game Meaningful Although there is writing on both cards, neither student bothers to read the words. They don’t match so he flips the cards back over and tells Kara that it’s her turn. He immediately turns over two cards, and quickly looks to see if the pictures match. I have witnessed the following scene more times than I care to count: If played carelessly, Memory can end up being nothing more than a meaningless matching-pictures game. If students play correctly, this can be a highly educational game. Over the years, though, I have come to realize that students need to be explicitly taught how to play this game. As is the case with most learning games in the classroom, my students always CHEERED! when I announced that we were going to be playing Memory. When I began teaching, I created several Memory games that matched the various skills we were working on. I remember when my twin sister and I received it as a birthday gift when we were about eight years old.
I have always enjoyed playing the Memory Game (also called “Concentration”). Guest post by Deb Hanson of Crafting Connections
