Uno ®
Mattel Games™
Uno® is a wonderful game for any age but particularly for
young children, adults with varying abilities, and for teaching English as
another language. I have taken Uno®
to Mongolia, China and Nicaragua and had many enjoyable games even though none
of us spoke the same language.
The basic game involves matching colors or numbers and being
the first player to get rid of all of your cards. Explain the rules according to those provided
in the pack of cards.
Step
Back 1:
As you explain the game show the person or people in
the group how to lay down the cards.
Explain the rule of saying “Uno” if you are holding the last
card. Explain what happens if you forget
this.
Explain the rules of skip, reverse, draw 2, draw 4, wild
card. Omit Wild Shuffle and Wild
Customizable Card.
Step
Back 2:
Omit all skip, reverse, draw 2, draw 4, wild cards.
Explain the game with colors and numbers only.
Step
Back 3:
Omit all
numbers from 6 – 9.
Explain the
game with colors and these numbers only.
Step
Back 4:
Omit one color.
Explain the
game with three colors and the numbers 0 – 5.
Step
Back 5:
Omit a
second color.
Explain the
game with two colors and the numbers 0 – 5.
As the players
gain competency introduce the number cards a couple at a time or more if
everyone understands.
I really
appreciate the fact that Uno ® have used universal symbols for these
cards. It makes it so much easier for
speakers of other languages and non-readers.
As the players gain competency introduce these in this order:
The exaggeration is for learning purposes. It can be reduced as needed.
Reverse: Point in the reverse direction and use different vocabulary, ex. “Reverse, go THE OTHER WAY!!"
Skip: Play it up, “Oh no! You miss a turn, it skipped you”.
Draw Two: Groan, count out the two cards.
Draw
Four: As with draw two, exaggerate counting them out. “How can you do this to me!”
Wild
Card: Be gleeful. Take
your time. “Hmmmm, what shall I choose?!”
Wild
Draw 4: This is a more
complex card and can be left out of the game altogether. Likewise the Wild Shuffle Hands card and the
Wild Customizable card.
As you are playing be expressive, ex. “Oh no! That's not fair!!” "I don't believe you did this AGAIN!"
“You reversed the play! It was MY turn!!”
If you have the last card yell
out "UNO!”
Make
it fun. The game involves more than just
winning. Social interactions between players is as important as learning the
game. If
at any time the game becomes confusing to ANY of the players, step back to the
level at which everyone understands and is enjoying the game.
Adaptations: Card holders. Also card trays to keep cards in a neat pile or use a small cardboard box. https://www.amazon.com/Playing-Card-Holders/
Make sure to explain
why there is a line under the six (6) and nine (9)
