Activity

Directions Board Game

Two player PC game. One player "rolls" and says the directions for the other player to move. If "Stop" is rolled, they swap. Gain or lose points depending on where you land!

The original analogue version of this is a game that I found a few years ago.
My apologies I cannot find the original, let me know if you do so I can link it!

In that version the students used a dice and tokens to move around the board.
One player is the roller, they roll the dice and give the appropriate instructions;
Go straight, turn right, turn left or stop.
The moving player listens to the instructions and moves their token appropriately.
If stop is rolled then the players switch roles.

It is a great game that I recommend for any directions based lesson.

https://fisheymug.github.io/BoardgameDirections/

I have taken this concept and done my best to implement it on a website for use on students PCs.
This has the added benefit of less prep time, and the loss of paper dice, which I have gone through a lot of in the past!

The "rolling" student clicks the roll button (or the Space/Enter) key and gives the instructions, the moving student can use the arrow keys or the buttons on their side of the screen to move their player.

If you move into a "hole" (the black squares) then it is minus 2 points. Chests are plus 3.

Set a timer and play!

Can be used as a class activity, but works best in pairs.
However, as with the analogue version you do need to be mindful of the students not using the required English to play!
Make it a clear rule and monitor the class!

Find it here;
https://fisheymug.github.io/BoardgameDirections/

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Submitted by Matthew March 3, 2023 Estimated time: 10 mins to as long as you like.
Inspired Directions App!
  1. hnnhdwn December 4, 2023

    I think this could be really cool! I was trying it out myself, and maybe I am doing something wrong, but it does take me a while to get anywhere, and I spent a lot of time having the tokens going back and forth over the start, turning left and right multiple times in a row without actually moving, and getting repeated stop signs. I think having higher chances to roll a go straight might help?

  2. Matthew December 12, 2023

    Thank you for the feedback hnnhdwn!
    I think that you re 100% correct. The game needs tweaking with regards to the dice, as well as a general polish with the way that everything animates/ plays.
    Definitely a work in progress, but something that I hope to get around to soon!

  3. chance_darren52 December 6, 2024

    This is great! It does take some time for the players to progress but I think it's okay. It gives the students lots of reading and speaking practice. I think they'll really enjoy this game. Thanks!

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