Dinner at the Reef is a board game in which students learn food chains in a marine environment, predator‐prey relationships and the fine balance of an ecosystem. The game is for children aged 7-11. The game consists of instructions, flash cards, and extended activities. The flash cards contain information about different types of fish such as where they live and what they eat.
Type of Material:
Assignment is the stated type of material on the detail page. The type of material can also be considered a tutorial on ecosystems and marine life. It is a paper board game.
Recommended Uses:
The game can be used as an in-class, team activity. Homework assignments can be written using the extended activities.
Technical Requirements:
Microsoft Office (PowerPoint and Word), Adobe Acrobat Reader. A color printer is needed for the flash cards.
Identify Major Learning Goals:
• Students will be actively engaged in hands-on information gaining skills needed for understanding food chains in a marine environment, predator-prey relationships, and balance of an ecosystem.
• Students will enhance their understanding of food chains in several environments
Target Student Population:
The target student population is elementary school students in science courses studying biology, marine life, or ecology.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
No prerequisites are needed. Additional materials such as straws and chairs are required.
Content Quality
Rating:
Strengths:
The game simulates a food chain. The students assume roles of the different marine life in order to understand the predator-prey relationship.
Concerns:
The instructions are 17 pages long. There a multiple parts to playing the game which may be confusing regarding who is still active in the game and who is out. Students must be able to read their flash cards and draw upon the information contained in their flashcards to play the game.
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool
Rating:
Strengths:
Learning assignments can be easily written using the material. There is a glossary for vocabulary terms. The game can take place after a lesson about the marine life and their relationships with each other in order to give students some background information before the simulation takes place. Students can be given their flashcard or told which type of fish that they will be in advance and be given a homework assignment in which they conduct research on the fish to learn more about it. Costumes could even be created as an arts and craft activity to enhance the game. The game can be used to further discuss complex concepts about the impact of different events on marine life.
Concerns:
None.
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty
Rating:
Strengths:
• Easy to use
• All files are provided
• The game and documents provided are visually appealing
• Is visually appealing to enhance the learning experience for visual learners
• This game requires movement which helps to engage learners
Concerns:
• The PDF “Quick Start Guide” is challenging to open. Users must place their mouse directly below the “Quick Start Guide” instead of directly over the words “Quick Start Guide” to get the document to open. The game may be difficult to play the first time due to extensive set up and instructions. There are also variations to the game as well.
Creative Commons:
Search by ISBN?
It looks like you have entered an ISBN number. Would you like to search using what you have
entered as an ISBN number?
Searching for Members?
You entered an email address. Would you like to search for members? Click Yes to continue. If no, materials will be displayed first. You can refine your search with the options on the left of the results page.
Searching for Members?
You entered an email address. Would you like to search for members? Click Yes to continue. If no, materials will be displayed first. You can refine your search with the options on the left of the results page.
