Crossing paths with a few teachers at the Tampa Comic Con got me thinking again what a great tool Nature Dome could be for teaching math, science, language arts, art and more in the elementary classroom.

Just a few examples of in-class skills and activities that can be supported by Nature Dome include:

Addition and Subtraction

Basic and multi-step addition and subtraction are essential elements of the game, making it ideal for young players just learning these skills.

Fight or Flight

In nature, any animal can attack, if necessary. And when an animal is attacked, it has the classic choice of “Fight or Flight.” These abilities are reflected in Nature Dome—with each animal having Attack, Defend (Fight) and Escape (Flight) abilities.

Match Game

For a simple Match game, pull out the 5 Attack Boost Cards and the Power Cards for the same animals. Shuffle them, lay them face down and see who can find the most matching pairs.

Use two decks and you can match 2 to 55 pairs of cards for a Match Game difficulties ranging from super-easy to practically impossible.

Grouping and Sorting

Use your Nature Dome Deck to explore differences and similarities in animals of all kinds as you discover ways to group the creatures, including by:

• Animal type
• Size
• Diet
• Where they live
• Predator and prey

Then try grouping them by card characteristics:

• Attack value
• Defense value
• Escape value

Creative Writing

Have students choose an animal from the deck and write a creative story about it. Have them choose two or more animals and write about an encounter between them. Mix it up by randomly dealing out cards for the students to write about.

Research Reports

Have children choose their favorite animal from the deck and write a research report on it, starting with the facts right on the card. Add a little bit mystery to the assignment by dealing cards to students randomly.

Map Skills

Give student groups each a deck of Nature Dome cards and a wall-size map (have them draw the map for even more fun). Then have students attach each animal card to the map, indicating where in the world it lives. 

Food Chain

Have students use Nature Dome cards to create food chains, filling in blanks with their own animal art.

Game Creation

Let students research their own favorite animals and create their own original Nature Dome cards on a standard card template. Combine all your students’ cards into a playable, class-created deck of Nature Dome.

Alternate Rules

Give multiple student groups each a deck of Nature Dome cards and let them invent their own game rules. When they’re done, have the groups share their new game variations with each other.

Take the creativity even further by providing additional game-making and art supplies like dice, spinners, timers, posterboard and markers so students can create game boards and more.