Join Mitchell
Elementary’s First Academic Games Team!
WHAT is
Academic Games (AG)? Academic Games is a fun way to learn through playing games in
several different subject areas. Students use math, language, etc. creatively to
outsmart their opponents.
We have practices in the evenings twice per week
from September to May, and will compete against other schools in our region at
tournaments once per month on Saturday mornings from September through February.
For students who qualify, there is a State tournament in early March.
Students will need to demonstrate emotional maturity
and attend at least 3 regional tournaments to qualify for the State tournament.
The games we will play this year are Equations,
Propaganda (recognizing techniques of persuasion), and Presidents (American
history).
Depending on time and student interest, we may also
learn On-Sets (set theory), On-Words (points are earned by building
Scrabble-like networks of words), Linguishtik (grammar), and/or WFF ’n Proof
(logic).
WHO is eligible to join? All 4th
and 5th graders! Parents are also welcome (and encouraged) to attend practices
and help out.
WHEN are the practices? Mondays
and Wednesdays from 7:30 PM SHARP to 8:30 PM. The first practice is on Monday, September 15, 2014. We
will NOT meet during school holidays or on evenings of major school functions
(such as Curriculum Night).
WHERE are the practices? Mitchell
Elementary ROOM 7.
WHAT do we
bring to
practice? At the first practice, students will receive a 3-ring binder with 5
tabbed dividers—that binder should be brought to all practices. Paper and
pencils will be provided.
Donations of reams of 3-hole punched white multipurpose
paper, 3-hole punched lined paper, and pencils are appreciated throughout the
year.
Please DON’T bring spiral notebooks, some students
find it irresistible to rip off the bits along the edges of the paper, leaving
a mess. Drinks and snacks (not
messy please!) are OK.
WHY join Academic Games?
- AG is a fun and effective way to learn math, history, and critical thinking!
- Ann Arbor Public Schools has strong AG teams through 12th grade, so AG is an extracurricular activity that students can build on through high school. Currently, there are teams at Ann Arbor Open/Angell, King, Tappan, and Clague; and the high schoolers from all the different high schools are on the Ann Arbor High School team. A Scarlett team is in the works, as is a Greenhills team!
- Going to the tournaments helps students become accustomed to handling the pressure of competition, and develops sportsmanship and teamwork.
HOW MUCH does it cost? Practices and
Saturday tournaments are free. The State tournament will be approximately $350
(need-based scholarships are available—we want every student who qualifies to
be able to go if they wish).
HOW do we sign up? Come to the
first practice and fill out a
registration form!
For
more information, contact Vivian Lin, vhl@umich.edu,
734-741-1984 (home), 734-834-4367 (cell).
