Winning and losing games — sorting cards

Keeping a game going after losing · 5–9 · Roo Bloom

How to use these pages

Print all the pages. A4, single sided, at 100% — not “fit to page”.
Cut along the dashed lines to make the cards.
Put the two mats on the table, a bit apart.
Read a card out, or let your child read it, and put it on the mat they choose.
The answer key on the last page is for you. It is not for marking — it is so you have the explanation ready when your child asks why.

Two mats, a bit apart, and the pile of cards face down between them. The last page tells you what each card is about.

KEEPS GOING

Keeps the game going

STOPS

Makes the game stop

Cut along the dashed lines

Leo is losing at Snakes and Ladders.
Leo: “You're way ahead of me.”
Leo keeps rolling until the game is finished.
Winning and losing · Roo Bloom
Mia is behind in Ludo. One turn is left.
Omar: “My piece is nearly home.”
Mia tips the board over.
Winning and losing · Roo Bloom
Noah loses the card game at the party.
Noah: “I really wanted to win that.”
Winning and losing · Roo Bloom
Zara and Omar play cards at wet-day recess.
Zara: “Actually, tens beat everything now.”
Winning and losing · Roo Bloom
Sam and Hana get a new card game out.
Sam: “Do we use the swap card?”
Winning and losing · Roo Bloom
Kai is losing at handball. It is Tam's serve.
Tam: “Serving to you now.”
Kai walks away without saying anything.
Winning and losing · Roo Bloom
Ruby feels hot and cross halfway through the game.
Ruby: “I need a minute.”
Winning and losing · Roo Bloom
Priya loses a dice game on the picnic rug.
Priya: “You cheated. You moved your piece.”
Winning and losing · Roo Bloom
Ava wins the board game against Beau.
Ava: “Good game. Want another go?”
Winning and losing · Roo Bloom
Eli wins the running race on the oval.
Eli: “I'm the best. You're terrible at running.”
Winning and losing · Roo Bloom
Leo loses the word game in the car again.
Leo: “You win word games. I win chess.”
Winning and losing · Roo Bloom
Hana has lost five rounds. Her chest feels tight.
Hana: “I don't know if I want another go.”
Winning and losing · Roo Bloom

Cards marked “either” are the interesting ones. Both answers are defensible and the conversation is the point.

1. KEEPS GOING
The game got to the end, so both players finished it.
Play until the game finishes.
2. STOPS
The pieces went everywhere, so nobody could finish the game.
Say you are cross instead. — Say, I really wanted to win.
3. KEEPS GOING
Noah said his feeling out loud, and the game still finished.
Say the feeling out loud.
4. STOPS
Omar planned his turn on the old rule, so the game stalled.
Agree the rules before you start. — Ask about the tens rule before the next game.
5. KEEPS GOING
Both players knew the rules before the first turn.
Ask the rules before you start.
6. STOPS
Tam kept serving to nobody and did not know why.
Say that you are stopping. — Say, I'm stopping now, before you walk off.
7. KEEPS GOING
Ruby took a break, and the game waited for her.
Ask for a minute.
8. STOPS
Finn followed the rules, so now he does not want to play.
Check the rule before you say cheat. — Ask, can you show me that move again?
9. KEEPS GOING
Beau got a chance to play again, so the games kept going.
Say good game after you win.
10. STOPS
Nina heard she was terrible, so she stopped wanting to race.
Talk about the game, not the person. — Say, that was a fast race. Another one?
11. KEEPS GOING
Leo remembered they each win different games, so both wanted another turn.
Different people win different games.
12. Either
If she still wants to play, keep going. If her body feels bad, stop.
Check your body, then choose.