If you asked us the most popular game to play during class time, it would definitely NOT be Fireboy and Watergirl (rest in peace coolmathgames.com). Instead, you’d find each laptop open to the New York Times website, with groups of students huddled together to solve the latest Wordle.
Whether it be the newest, brain-stimulating “Connections” or the thematic “Strands,” people often indulge in these mini-games as a way to start the day. I can’t begin to recall the number of times that I’ve collaborated with my friends, all of us bewildered by the unexpected grouping of Connections words. The games not only stimulate the brain, but also establish a sense of community, where we can develop our understanding of each other and our neural connections. We receive a satisfying dopamine rush after figuring out categories and word meanings, which can be extremely beneficial to our cognitive development.
The New York Times community suggests a variety of techniques and strategies when approaching these games. Many tend to begin the Wordle with a consistent, vowel-infused word, such as “adieu” or “arena,” which encourages a successful win. Others approach the Strands by searching for words in corners and predicting some of their own.
These challenging activities are a great way to pass the time, whether in the morning or during an uneventful class period. If you can figure out the Wordle or the Connections, your day is already made.
If you don’t know where to find these games, check out the link below!
https://www.nytco.com/products/games/
