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Can a card game really improve our pupils' performance
in school? |
The educational
benefits of Minibridge are still to be categorically
proven. But various sources
and statisitics and growing anecdotal
evidence strongly suggest that it is only a matter
of time before this proof is found.
In the meantime we can suggest the following
as a summary of some of the principle features of Minibridge
and their probable link to key
skills
| Element of
Minibridge |
|
| Counting High
Card Points |
Arithmetic |
| Playing with
a Partner |
Teamwork |
| Effective Card
Play Strategy |
Sequencing
Logical Thinking
Lateral Thinking
Problem Solving |
| Explaining and
Justifying Actions |
Language and
Communication |
| Obtaining Best
Possible Outcomes |
Concentration
Focus
Memory
Handling Data |
| Adhering to Rules
of Play |
Self-Discipline |
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So what will it cost us to have Minibridge delivered
at our school? |
Assuming a staff Induction and a pupil induction to two
classes a typical cost would be itemised as follows:
| Item |
Cost (GBP) |
Total Cost |
| Staff
Induction |
250.00 |
|
| Pupil Induction
- Class One (Age 8-9) |
320.00 |
| Pupil Induction
- Class Two (Age 10-11) |
240.00 |
| Copyright Licence |
150.00 |
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We are interested but have no funding. What do you suggest? |
You could apply the model recently created in Bolton, Lancashire.
On the initiative of Andrew Hurst, Headteacher at Chorley
New Road Primary, Horwich, Minibridge was delivered
to a whole group of schools as part of a cluster
for which cluster funding is available.
The Minibridge Inductions were paid for out
of funding set
aside for about 10 schools in the Horwich cluster to help
raise the standards in maths with a partcular emphasis on
problem solving.
Extended school funding has also been used
in 2007 by Fairway Primary School in Offerton, Stockport.
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Our school has no Bridge-playing staff members -
does that mean we can't teach ourselves Minibridge? |
Not at all.
Minibridge Induction
materials have been specifically designed and
simplified to be usable by any
staff member, irrespective of Bridge playing
experience.
They are perhaps not necessary, but highly recommended
to give Staff the initial enthusiasm and confidence both
to introduce and subsequently supervise sessions of Minibridge
in the classroom.
|
I have no card playing skills.
How am I qualified to supervise my children playing
Minibridge? |
Minibridge is an activity. It is not a field of study.
You are qualified to supervise them playing Minibridge
just as you are qualified to supervise them swimming or
playing football without actually being able to do either
of these activities yourself.
They will learn as they play. The personal and educational
benefits will accrue far more from the opportunity to
practise (just as in swimming or football) than from direct
teacher input. This is the ultimate in pupil-centred
learning.
|
What do we need and what will it cost to carry out
our own Minibridge Inductions? |
The minuimum materials are
One
pack of playing cards for each table of four
players plus
|
| Minibridge
Starter Package which
includes |
Introducing
Minibridge PowerPoint Presentation
|
| Minibridge
Table Card Copyright Licence
|
Total
Cost |
300.00
GBP |
|
What Differentiation does Minibridge permit after
Induction? |
Minibridge will allow a Differentiation along the following
lines:
For the less gifted:
(a) Basic
Problem Solving in the classroom
(b) Remedial work in maths or general educational
developmental work for those with
Learning Disabilities
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Other Emotional or Behavioural Difficulties
For the more gifted
(c) Advanced Problem
Solving in the classroom
(d) Skills development through Minibridge
Advanced
and even Bridge
(e) Inter-School Competition
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What is
Minibridge Advanced and
how do we incorporate it? |
It is merely the addition
of trump play to basic Minibridge.
Once your staff have successfully incorporated Minibridge
into the classroom, the transition into Minibridge Advanced
is straightforward.
Simply purchase and download the Mr
Minibridge Advanced
Minibridge
Package
and follow the really easy to follow Teacher Notes
and materials.
Alternatively, you can book the services of Mr Minibridge
for professional
expert instruction in Advanced Minibridge.
|
How long should it take to move children on to
Minibridge Advanced?
|
There is no easy answer to this question. A lot depends on
the ability and age of the children and of course the frequency
with which they are encouraged to practise Minibridge Junior.
We can suggest the following time scheme:
| Minibridge
Junior |
Induction
Age |
Minibridge
Advanced
Age |
| Year 3 |
8 |
10 |
| Year 4 |
9 |
| Year 5 |
10 |
11
|
| Year 6 |
11 |
After one school term (Trimester)
|
| Year 7 and
above |
12+ |
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What is Advanced Card Play ? |
In effect, it is card play for Bridge. This provides extra
dimensions for studies in problem
solving both inside and outside the classroom
Advanced Card Play for Bridge is the subject of materials
specially prepared and designed for use in school by Bridge-playing
staff members or local Bridge teacher attending either on
a voluntary or professional
basis.
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Is there a scheme for introducing Minibridge in schools? |
Our
Key Stage Overview for introducing Minibridge
and Bridge gives an indication of what the future may hold
for many schools all over the UK and beyond.
A cluster of Primary schools in the Bolton
and Horwich area have been given Staff
and Pupil Induction in 2006 and will set a precedent
for the sheer numbers of children and staff actively involved
in Minibridge both as a classroom resource and a socialising
school activity.
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Minibridge - Bridge : What is the Difference? |
Bridge has a complex preamble to the card play (the Auction),
which is based in a language or system of calls or announcements
that requires a substantial period of time to learn (several
years in many cases) and whose complexity puts many children
off even trying it. There is a complicated scoring system
which also takes time to learn.
The equivalent in Minibridge of the Bridge Auction is a simple
preamble in which players count up and announce their High
Card Points and work out the targets for each
team from a simple list of Trick
Targets. The scoring system could not be easier:
the winners in the card play score one play point and play
another deal.
In the play of the cards, Minibridge and
Bridge are the same game.
This means that Minibridge gives virtually instant access
to the world of problem solving
at Bridge as well as allowing a smooth transition
into Bridge.
This also means that Minibridge allows the
full range of educational
benefits which accrue essentially from the play
of the cards.
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What about the danger of addiction to Minibridge or
gambling? |
This is unheard of so far and extremely unlikely to happen.
For many reasons.
Firstly, those who become addicted to anything
tend to have addictive personalities. Minibridge might possibly
save this type of person from finding an addiction elsewhere
in less educational or socially acceptable ways.
Secondly, Minibridge is an educational
resource of immense potential as well as a key
stepping stone to Bridge, a mind sport of the highest order.
Gambling at such an activity is about as likely as gambling
at Chess or Scrabble!
Thirdly, Minibridge is also a social game. Gamblers tend to
be anti-social types who are more interested in the thrill
of winning or the risk of losing than making friends or challenging
their brain power in team or partnership games.
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