Lesson Plan: Tabla Lusoria

Overview
Students will play the game Tabla Lusoria, whose title is Latin for “Table of Pieces.” To advance their marker, students must correctly answer questions about whether an event happened in the ancient, medieval or modern era of history.

Standards Addressed
Grade 7
Social Studies — History, Benchmark C

03. Describe the conditions that gave rise to feudalism, as well as political, economic and social characteristics of feudalism, in Asia and Europe.

04. Explain the lasting effects of military conquests during the Middle Ages.

05. Describe the impact of new ideas and institutions on European life.

Materials
Enough game markers so that each student has three markers of the same color

Procedure

1. Review the three segments of written history — ancient, medieval and modern.

2. Introduce the game Tabla Lusoria and explain that this is a game that was played during Roman times.

3. Divide the students into pairs.

4. Distribute one game board and set of history cards per pair. Note: You may want to print the cards on heavy paper so that they do not get destroyed. You could also laminate them to make them last.

5. If you wish, allow the students to review the questions and answers on the history cards.

6. Distribute three markers of the same color to each player. Competing players should have different-colored markers.

7. Introduce the rules of the game. The object is to get three markers in a row, either in a line or along a curve.

Students may move their marker only along a line or a curve to the next space.

If the space is occupied, they may jump over one marker, but not more than one.

The first person to get three markers in a row is the winner.

8. Let students practice playing one game without using the history questions so that they understand the game.

9. Once they have completed the game, have them play again with the restriction that on each turn, they must first correctly identify whether the event on a game card occurred during ancient, medieval or modern times. If they answer correctly, they may advance on the game board. If they miss the answer, they must forfeit their turn.

10. The alternate player should read the card (because the answer is on the card).

Evaluation
Students should answer the 10-question quiz that is provided.