Students learn to develop their thinking abilities

1. The Game of Joining Dots!
01-PS-24

2. Yup, like this!
Can you draw a neat square??

3. Now let’s draw a square, but this time
using dots!
Such a square is also
called a ‘grid’ or a
‘matrix’ of dots

4.  At least two players are needed for the game.
 When its your turn, connect two dots that
are next to each other using a standing or
sleeping line.
 Slanting (or diagonal) lines are not allowed.
 A point is scored each time a player
completes a square by joining two dots.
 Winner writes her/his initials in the square
and takes one more turn.
Rules of the game
No!!
B

5. Lets try playing a round!
 Two players, Ms. Orange and Mr. Black.
 First turn: Ms. Orange – sleeping line
 Next turn: Mr. Black – Standing line.
 Next turn: Ms. Orange – Standing line.
 Next turn: Mr. Black – Sleeping line.
 Next turn: Ms. Orange – Standing line.
 Next turn: Mr. Black – Sleeping line and win a
square!

6. Lets try playing a round (continued…)
 Next turn: Again Mr. Black since he won a square in
previous turn – Sleeping line.
 Next turn: Ms. Orange – Standing line.
 Next turn: Mr. Black – Standing line.
 Next turn: Ms. Orange – She can now draw a Sleeping line
to win a square!
 Next turn: Again Ms. Orange since she won a square –
Standing line and win one more square!
 Next turn: Again Ms. Orange since she one a square –
Sleeping line and win one more square!
BO
O O

7. And the winner is ?!?!
BO
O O
Score card
Ms. Orange: 3 points
Mr. Black: 1 point
Ms. Orange wins the game!

8. Now you try it!
Teacher will give you a paper with a 6 x 6 grid, pick a friend to
play and get going
6
6

9. Thinking ahead to win!
 Suppose that the game is at this stage
 Next turn: Ms. Orange. To avoid giving a square
to Mr. Black, she draws a standing line.
 Next turn: Mr. Black – Standing line
 Next turn: Ms. Orange – Oh-Oh, Ms. Orange is
in trouble, no matter where she draws a line, Mr.
Black wins. How? Lets see…
 Mr. Black wins all the squares!
B B
BB
Always think about how your friend could play after your turn is complete and
whether that helps you or puts you in trouble! Think about the next turn!

10. How should Ms. Orange play to win?
 Remember, when a player wins a square, she/he needs
to take one more turn! Use that to your benefit while
planning your move!
 Next turn: Ms. Orange – Standing line to sacrifice one
square.
 Next turn: Mr. Black – He has to accept the sacrificed
square or else he will lose all the squares. Can you
think why?
 Next turn: Again Mr. Black as he won a square –
Standing line.
 Ms. Orange wins!
B
O O
O

11. Assessment Questions
Play the game on the 8 x 8 grid on your worksheet.
You saw a square shaped grid to play the game. Can
you think of grid of any other shape where it can be
fun to play the game?

12. End of Joining Dots!