Fun with Character: Trade ‘Ya!

Start with an ordinary deck of playing cards. Larger classes may want to use 2 decks. Give several cards (3 -10, depending on the age of the students and the size of their hands!) to each student and then encourage them to trade cards back and forth in an attempt to get the best hand possible. Let them know that the value of each card will be revealed at the end of the game. Once the trading has stopped, you can reveal the value of the cards. Choose values that do not necessarily correspond to what would be expected. (For a math connection, you can give them age-appropriate formulas to apply to the numbered cards, such as multiply odd-numbered cards by 2 and add 1 to even-numbered cards.) When they have calculated their points, see who has the most and the fewest points.

To process the activity, ask these or similar questions:

• How did not knowing the rules make this game difficult to play?

• If they had been allowed to ask questions, what would they have asked in order to make wise decisions?

• How often do you make decisions on what to do without having any idea what the goal is?

• What are some ways to get information when you are trying to make a real decision?

• Will you remember this card game and ask questions on your next decision?