Settlers Of Catan®

Description

My husband and I are avid game players, and we cannot recommend this game too highly! We were fortunate to meet friends that introduced Settlers of Catan to us last fall, and since then we have gotten many family members and friends hooked as well. While some games (such as Chess) depend solely on strategy and may intimidate some, and others revolve completely around luck which may not be engaging enough for others, Settlers of Catan is the perfect blend of strategy and luck, making it appealing to almost everyone. Strategy is indeed important, although not at such an intense level as in Chess or Risk, yet the roll of the die can cause even the most astute plan to fall short, or likewise, it can bolster a position that is seemingly inferior. What really makes this game stand out is that the unique construction of the game board generates a different board every time you play, which keeps the game fresh and causes you to think through your strategy differently each game. The basis of the game is that you represent a group of settlers trying to establish yourself on the distant isle of Catan. To this end, you have to produce resources with which you can continue developing. The board consists of 19 hexagonal tiles which fit randomly into a larger hexagonal frame depicting the sea. Each of the 19 tiles represents a resource - lumber, brick, ore, grain, or wool - with the exception of one desert tile. After fitting the tiles into the frame, small number tokens are placed on each tile, with numbers ranging from 2-12 (these being the numbers which can be rolled with two dice). Each player has a set of colored wooden settlements, roads, and cities to use in developing Catan. The game begins with an initial settlement phase, where each player gets to place two settlements on the board. These are placed on the corners of the resource hexagons, so that each settlement sits on an intersection of three different resource hexagons. Players also attach one road to their settlement, which can branch out along any path between tiles. When each player has finished placing their initial settlements, regular play begins. The typical turn consists of three different "phases," although players may not always choose to do all three. Firstly, a player begins by rolling the two dice. The number rolled determines which resource hexagons produce resources for that turn. For instance, if you roll an 8, any player that has a settlement adjacent to a resource hexagon marked with an "8" receives a resource card of that type. Thus even when it is not your turn, you are collecting resource cards. After rolling the die and gathering any resources produced, the player whose turn it is may trade with other players or with the bank. This allows a good trader to acquire the resources that may be eluding him, whether due to position or the roll of the die. The final phase of each player's turn is the building phase. At this point, a player may use the resource cards in his hand to build any roads, settlements or cities he chooses, as well as buy development cards. Each of these four items requires a different combination of resources. For instance, building a road costs one lumber and one brick resource card. The object of the game is to be the first player to reach 10 points. Each settlement on the board is worth one point, and each city is worth two. Additional points are available for those with the longest road or largest army, as well as through certain development cards. Though the above is the "basic" game play, you will quickly see that there is more to the game. Different development cards can prove advantageous to the holder and detrimental to others; the robber could rob you of needed resources, and building on a harbor can provide you a more favorable exchange rate for trading. There are many different routes to victory, and those who conquer them will successfully settle the isle of Catan. 3-4 players. There are expansions sets available below, but please note that they do not stand alone - you will need to already have the original Settlers of Catan board game.

Expansion sets require the original Settlers of Catan game to play.

Teaching Method
Traditional
Teacher-centered curriculum commonly used in classrooms that may include a text, teacher manual, tests, etc.
Charlotte Mason
A methodology based on the work of a 19th century educator who maintained that children learn best from literature (Living Books), not textbooks.
Classical
A methodology based on the Latin Trivium (three stages of learning), including the grammar stage (memorization and facts), logic stage (critical thinking), and rhetoric stage (developing/defending ideas).
Unit Study
A thematic or topical approach centered around one topic that integrates multiple subject areas.
Montessori (Discovery)
A methodology based on the work of a 20th century educator that emphasizes student and sensory-driven discovery learning and real-life applications.
Other
Other methodologies
Religious Content
Secular
Contains content contrary to common Christian beliefs (i.e. evolution).
Neutral
Avoids religious or theoretical topics or presents multiple viewpoints without preference.
Christian/Religious
Faith-based or including instructional religious content.
Learning Modality
Auditory
Learns through listening, talking out loud or reading out loud.
Visual
Learns through seeing, prefers written instructions and visual materials.
Kinesthetic/Tactile (Hands-On)
Learns through moving, doing and touching.
Multi-Sensory
Curriculum that employ a variety of activities/components.
Presentation
Sequential
Curriculum progresses through well-defined learning objectives. Emphasizes mastery before moving to the next topic.
Spiral
Topics and concepts are repeated from level to level, adding more depth at each pass and connecting with review.
Conceptual/Topical
Focus is on the “why,” often with a unifying concept as well as specific skills; coverage may be broader.
Teacher Involvement
Low Teacher Involvement
Student-led materials; parent acts as a facilitator.
Medium Teacher Involvement
A mix of teacher-led time and independent student work.
High Teacher Involvement
Teacher-led lessons; may utilize discussions, hands-on activities and working together.
Additional Materials Required
No other materials needed
Everything you need is included.
Other Materials Required
There are additional required resources that are a separate purchase.
Other Materials Optional
There are additional resources mentioned or recommended but are not absolutely necessary.
Consumable
Consumable
Designed to be written in; not reusable.
Non-Consumable
Not designed to be written in; reusable.