** Building Bridges with Settlers of Catan Junior**
**Objective:**
Students will explore and apply concepts of resource management, including trading, negotiation, and resource allocation using the game "Settlers of Catan Junior." The lesson will help develop math skills such as counting and strategic thinking.
**Materials Required:**
- Settlers of Catan Junior board game sets (enough for small groups of 4-5 students per set)
- Whiteboard and markers
- Printed copies of resource cards for visualization (Lumber, Brick, Wool, Grain, and Gold)
- "Resource Management and Trading" worksheet (designed for this activity), optional poster paper
- Tokens representing resources, for additional tactile engagement
- Timer
- Vocabulary sheet with terms: trade, negotiate, resource, strategy, win-win, and allocation
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**1. Introduction and Explanation (10 minutes):**
**Teacher's Dialogue:**
"Good morning, explorers! Today we're going on an exciting adventure in the world of Catan Junior. Anyone already know how to play and want to explain? We'll learn how to manage resources, trade with friends, and build structures like bridges that will help connect our islands! This isn't just a game; it's a world where you become strategists and traders. Our goals are to practice trading, improve our math skills, and most of all, have fun learning!
Before we dive in, let me introduce you to some important words we will be using today. [Write on the board: trade, negotiate, resource, strategy, win-win, and allocation.] Anyone know these words?
- 'Trade' means exchanging things you have for things you need.
- 'Negotiate' means talking to reach an agreement that works for everyone.
- 'Resource' is something that helps you build or grow in the game. Examples of resources in real life? In this game, examples are lumber and brick.
- 'Strategy' is a plan you make to win the game or solve a challenge.
- 'Win-win' is a solution that helps everyone get something they want.
- 'Allocation' means deciding how to use what you have wisely.
We're going to use these words as we build bridges in Catan Junior. So let's explore together!"
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**2. Setting Up and Starting the Activity (10 minutes):**
**Teacher's Instructions:**
"Friends, each of your tables will become a small island in the Catan Junior world. Your island has resources like lumber, brick, wool, grain, and gold, just like in the real world where countries have different resources. Your job is to use these resources to build roads, bridges, and settlements.
- Sit with your team of 4-5 explorers around each game set.
- Each player will pick a pirate ship, because in Catan Junior, we're all pirates building our domains!
- Shuffle and place all resource cards face down in a stack.
- Each player picks two cards - this is your starting resource pool.
- Take turns rolling the die; the highest roll starts the game.
- Remember, you can trade with the other players and make deals to gather the resources you need. Look for win-win trades where everyone comes out better."
**Teacher's Dialogue:**
"As you get ready, keep in mind what it means to negotiate a trade. Imagine you're at a market, and you want to make sure everyone leaves happy. That's what we'll practice today!"
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**3. Main Activity (20 minutes):**
**Step 1: Gathering Resources (5 minutes)**
**Overview:**
Begin the game by acquiring resources as you roll the dice, set up your islands, and evaluate what you need.
**Teacher Says:**
"Alright explorers, roll the dice and let's see what resources we have. Each roll will help you gather resources from the land tiles your pirate ship is adjacent to. These resources are the building blocks of your bridges and roads!"
"Check the number you rolled. If you have a settlement next to the number rolled, take the resource card that matches the resource tile. Remember to think about what you might want to ask for in a trade with your friends."
**Step 2: Trading and Negotiation (10 minutes)**
**Overview:**
Players will engage in trading with each other to gather needed resources for building.
**Teacher Says:**
"Now that you know what resources you have, it's time to trade with your crew and make our bridges bigger and better! Remember, a win-win trade is where both sides are happy. Examples of win-win situations in real life? For example, if you need lumber to build a road and you have extra grain, you might trade with someone who needs grain. Say, 'I have grain. Anyone want to trade for lumber?' Let's practice offering and counter-offering. Use your most friendly pirate voice!"
**Step 3: Building Bridges (5 minutes)**
**Overview:**
Players use the acquired resources to build settlements, roads, and bridges on the board.
**Teacher Says:**
"Gather your resources and see what you can construct. Are you ready to place pieces on your board? Your goal is to connect your pirate island with roads and build structures. Can anyone tell me what resources we need to build a road? That's right, lumber and brick! Let's get creative with our resources. Who can complete a bridge first?"
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**4. Wrapping Up and Review (20 minutes):**
**Teacher's Dialogue:**
"Time's up, explorers! Let's look at the lands we've built and the bridges we've made. You've become great architects and negotiators today!
Let's gather our thoughts about what we've learned. [Point to each vocabulary word on the board.] Can anyone give an example of a trade they made that was win-win? How did negotiating help you gather what you needed? How did you decide to allocate resources for the most useful strategies?
[Host a group discussion based on the reflections shared.]
For our final activity, I have a quick worksheet called 'Resource Management and Trading.' You will pair up and answer a few questions about how you used your resources. Think about strategy, trading, and the allocation of what you gathered. Remember, every choice you made mattered! Make a poster if you'd like!
As we wrap up, ask yourself: how does this game relate to what we do every day? We trade ideas, time, and even skills with friends and family. This game helps us think about those trades and think about what's important to us.
Thank you for your creativity and enthusiasm today. Are there any questions before we head back to shore until our next adventure?"
**End of Lesson.**
This detailed plan allows for a structured and engaging hour that facilitates both learning and fun, suitable for K-5 students playing Settlers of Catan Junior.