So, for the last half hour of each school day, we have to
run enrichment clubs. These have to be fun, but enriching. That is to say- useful, or educational or of
some value in terms of life skills, social skills or personal development.
Movie club did not survive long. My school radio club is going great guns,
animation club was just a huge stress, but the latest addition to our selection
is GEEK GAMES.
It isn’t called that officially. But that’s what I call it,
and consequently, what all the kids call it.
Officially, it’s called Games Workshop, or tabletop games,
or other such mouthfuls. But Geek Games
describes it entirely accurately. And you know what? It’s a hit.
I was sort of worried about introducing it. They are not
especially tolerant or patient students. When they don’t get their own way they
tend to shout, swear, attack you, smash things, or conjecture about your
personal life and the legitimacy of your heritage. Geek games are not electronic,
have no flashing lights or online multiplayer modes – I wasn’t sure they’d go
for it, and then I’d be locked into MAKING them endure it every week for 6
weeks because we can’t change it just because no-one wants to do it.
You can’t let them use their behaviour to blackmail you and
dictate terms. Which is why I try to present them with options of my own
choosing that I know will work – that’s half my job really. So I was a bit
worried they wouldn’t run with it.
Now all I hear is “Yessss! Geek games! Sir, sir- can we play it again tomorrow? Go on sir!!”
And I love it. Basically we get to play Hero-Quest! Only the
best 80’s fantasy geeky board game EVER! My brother and I used to play this all
the time, until he didn’t want to anymore and I could no longer persuade him. And
now I get to do it all again. It’s just brilliant. It’s like I’m 9 again.
And they SO LOVE IT. And they say things like. “Yeah – this
is the best game EVER! You can’t even get it anymore!” And we basically roll
crappy dice and run around killing skeletons and casting spells and talking
utter bollocks for 30 minutes every Tuesday.
So I am cultivating the next generation of geeks and
teaching them turn-taking and social skills and how to defeat undead wizards at
the same time.
I’m so glad I took it into work with me. Some staff of
approximately 30 are also starting to sniff round with excited, nostalgic looks
on their faces too, which is quite amusing. I have also introduced my class to
Fighting Fantasy books too, which they are kind of loving. Add to this our Ten
Minute Marvel Super Movie Marathon we have whilst waiting for taxis at the end
of each day and you can see why our class theme tune is...
“GETCHA GEEK ON. GETCHA GEEK ON.
GETCHA, GETCHA, GETCHA,
GETCHA- GETCHA GEEK ON.”
