Using the Mayfair The Settlers of Catan Board Game as a Teaching Tool
Math skills- From the offset, players use probability to decide where to build their first settlements. This is facilitated by the design of the number chips which indicates probability by dots across the bottom and highlights the more probable numbers in red.Social skills- Students use negotiation skills while trading with one another.Ò They also experience interdependency as they must rely on one another for resources. Finally, they see clearly that their decisions affect others.Ò If one player decides to build a settlement or road, that might change the options available to another.
Planning & Decision-making- Many decisions in Settlers are based on the roll of the dice or short term goals. To win, however, players need to plan for the long-term and make decisions that will earn them the Victory Points needed to win. Students will also learn to decide between various options.Ò For instance, if they buy a development card now, they may have to wait longer to upgrade to a city.
Adaptability- Even carefully laid plans go awry. Throughout the course of the game, children learn to adapt as other players build in their space or the dice do not roll in their favor.
Economics- The basis of The Settlers of Catan is a simple example of a market economy of supply and demand. If wood is scarce then the person holding it can demand a higher price.
The Mayfair The Settlers of Catan board game can also be tied into a history unit on colonization as students discuss what it took for pilgrims and later colonists to come and settle in the New World.