Play Plan : Go Fish

General Information

• Card deck: Children’s cards or standard cards (as per the child’s play level)
• Prerequisites: card game 0, card identification
• Play arena: Standard
• Number of players: 4

Game Overview and Basic Rules for Play

The objective of the game is to be able to collect maximum sets of cards. A set is to collect all the four cards of different suites of a particular number.The game starts with the players all being dealt 5 cards each. The Player asks for a specific card from one of the other players by specifying their name and the card details. The player asking should already have at least 1 card with him of what number he asked. The person being asked, if they do have the cards requested, should hand them over. If a player does not have the cards being asked for, the player must say “go fish” and it’s now his/her chance to play/ask for a card. The Player who asked for the card, can now draw a card from the draw pile in the center. When all the sets have been made, the game is over. The sets of cards are counted at the end and the person with the most number of sets wins the game.

Play Session Plans:

Session 1:

• Before the session: Remove all the kings, Queens and Jacks from the card packs and make sure the play arena is kept at hand. Now you are ready for the session.
• Place the board on the floor and ask children to sit one facing each of the four sides of the board.
• Deal 5 cards to each player.
• Explain to the children that their aim is to collect all 4 cards having the same number (for example, 5 of diamonds, 5 of clubs, 5 of hearts and 5 of spades). Whoever makes 2 sets first wins the game.
• Ask the children to start the game. Each child, when it is their turn, can ask any player for cards of a specific number. For example: “Aishwarya, give me all your 5s”. The person asking should already have at least one 5 with them.
• The person being asked, if they do have the cards requested, should hand them over. If they do not have the cards, the child who asked gets another turn as well, and gets a chance again to ask for a specific number.
• If a player does not have the cards being asked for, the child who asked must “go fish” or draw a card from the draw pile in the center. Then it is the next player’s turn. (The next player is the one who said ‘go fish’).
• The game ends when any player makes 2 sets first. This player is the winner of the game.
• Play some more rounds of the game, while ensuring that the children understand the game.

Session 2:

• Ask the children if they remember the game.
• If there are any students who were absent from the previous session, ask the children to explain to him/her what the game is all about.
• When you think the children are clear about the rules, start playing. This time sit back and only help where absolutely necessary. Let the children figure out on their own.
• After 2 rounds of play, tell them that they will now continue the play until the draw pile is over. Then each of them would count their sets of cards and the person with the most number of sets wins the game.
• Make sure the children are able to form sets correctly. Help those who are not being able to do so.
• Play some more rounds of the game, while ensuring that you are more of an observer than a teacher.