Junior Heroes' First Quest: A D&D Adventure
Explore the fundamentals of teamwork, problem-solving, and creative thinking in a safe and guided environment with 'Junior Heroes' First Quest', a beginner's course in D&D designed to engage young minds in imaginative and cooperative play.
What's included
1 live meeting
55 mins in-class hours per weekHomework
Before entering into the class for the first time, the student needs to pick a character they would like to try out, and have the associated character sheet printed out and ready.Class Experience
"Junior Heroes' First Quest: A D&D Adventure" "Step into a realm of magic and adventure in 'Junior Heroes' First Quest: A D&D Adventure'. This course is your gateway to the wondrous world of Dungeons & Dragons, tailored for young adventurers. Choose from a cast of pre-made characters, each with their own unique stories and abilities, and bring them to life through your imagination. Explore the fundamentals of D&D in a fun, interactive environment, where every session is a new journey towards becoming a great hero." Key Elements: Teamwork: Building Bonds of Friendship: Learn the importance of working together as you and your fellow adventurers face challenges. D&D is a cooperative game where success often depends on the combined efforts and strategies of the entire group. You'll discover the value of listening to others, sharing ideas, and supporting each other through various quests and encounters. Learning Basic Rules Through Play: Interactive Rule Learning: D&D can be complex, but learning it doesn't have to be boring! This course introduces the basic rules of D&D through interactive play. As you embark on adventures, you'll naturally learn the mechanics of the game, such as rolling dice, understanding character abilities, and navigating through challenges, all in a fun and engaging way. Basic Math Skills: Arithmetic Adventures: As you roll dice to journey through the lands, you'll also be practicing your addition and subtraction without even realizing it! Every roll of the dice is a chance to quickly add up numbers and calculate scores, helping to sharpen your math skills in an enjoyable and practical way. Problem Solving: Creative Solutions for Exciting Challenges: In the world of D&D, quick thinking and creativity are your best tools. This course encourages you to think outside the box to overcome obstacles. Whether it's deciphering a mysterious riddle, strategizing in combat, or navigating through treacherous terrain, you'll develop critical thinking skills that are not only useful in the game but also in real life. Classes do not build upon each other. Students may join at any time. Week of Oct 2: Introduction to D&D and Character Familiarization Introduction to the core concepts of Dungeons & Dragons. Overview of character sheets and the pre-made characters available. Basic gameplay mechanics, focusing on dice rolls and character actions. Week of Oct 9: The Adventure Begins - Journey to the Whispering Woods First quest introduction, setting out the story's premise. Focus on teamwork and cooperative problem-solving. Basic combat rules and encounter handling. Week of Oct 16: The Riddles of the Ancient Ruins Exploration of ancient ruins, emphasizing puzzle and riddle-solving. Introduction to more complex character abilities and spells. Encouraging creative thinking and decision-making. Week of Oct 23: The Shadow Over Dragon's Peak Climactic adventure involving strategy and advanced game play elements. Reinforcement of the math skills learned through dice rolls and score keeping. Reflection on the progress made and a celebration of the learners' achievements. For learners who enroll late, each session will begin with a brief recap of the story thus far, and new adventurers will be given a 'magical artifact' (a narrative tool) that brings their character up to speed with the rest of the party, ensuring they can participate fully in that week's adventure. Learners should have access to a set of polyhedral dice, and if they have missed a session, session notes will be available for quick catch-up. Ongoing access to these materials will be ensured via the class resources section, allowing for continuous and dynamic integration of new participants.
Learning Goals
In "Junior Heroes' First Quest: A D&D Adventure," students will engage in a comprehensive learning experience tailored to their developmental stage. Here are the specific learning goals for the course:
Foundational Rules of D&D: Students will learn the core rules of Dungeons & Dragons, including the purpose and use of character sheets, the role of the Dungeon Master, and the basic structure of gameplay.
Character Roles and Abilities: Each student will understand the basic roles (like wizard, warrior, rogue) and abilities associated with their chosen pre-made characters, fostering a sense of identity within the game.
Mathematical Proficiency: Through gameplay, students will practice arithmetic, specifically addition and subtraction, as they calculate dice rolls, hit points, and damage during encounters.
Strategic Thinking: Students will learn to strategize their actions during the game, considering both the short-term effects of their choices and the long-term implications for their character and team.
Collaborative Problem-Solving: As they encounter challenges, students will work together to brainstorm solutions, promoting teamwork and the sharing of ideas in a cooperative setting.
Creative Storytelling: Students will engage in storytelling, both as listeners and contributors, enhancing their understanding of narrative structure and character development.
Active Listening and Communication: They will practice listening to the Dungeon Master and their peers, and clearly communicate their character's actions and decisions.
Decision-Making Skills: Students will make decisions for their characters that impact the game, learning to weigh options and consider outcomes.
Social Interaction and Etiquette: The game will serve as a platform for students to learn social cues and game-playing etiquette, such as taking turns and respecting the roles of other players.
Empathy and Role-Playing: Through role-playing, students will explore diverse perspectives by putting themselves in the shoes of their characters, which can foster empathy and understanding of different viewpoints.
Other Details
Supply List
Polyhedral Dice Set: A set typically includes a D4, D6, D8, D10, D12, and D20. These dice are used for various aspects of the game like making decisions and determining outcomes. While a digital dice roller is available, rolling physical dice adds to the fun and helps with math skills. Estimated Price: $5 - $15 depending on the quality and design. Printed Character Sheet: Learners will need to print out one of the character sheets provided in the class resources. This sheet will be their character's profile, including abilities, equipment, and other important details for the game. Cost: Printing costs, if any, depending on the availability of a printer at home.
Language of Instruction
English
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Teacher expertise and credentials
As a seasoned Dungeons & Dragons enthusiast, I bring over 20 years of experience with the game's intricate mechanics and rich lore. My expertise extends beyond personal enjoyment; for more than four years, I have honed my skills as a professional Dungeon Master, conducting games for both adults and children on the Roll20.net platform. My role has equipped me to manage diverse group dynamics and adjust the complexity of gameplay to suit various age groups and experience levels.
In an educational setting, I've successfully integrated Dungeons & Dragons as a club activity at my daughters' school, showcasing the game's capacity as a pedagogical tool to stimulate young learners' engagement and development. Being a father to two young girls, I've introduced them and their friends to the wonders of D&D, balancing the parental perspective with gaming expertise. This unique blend of personal and professional experience ensures I can offer a safe, enjoyable, and age-appropriate gaming environment that prioritizes learning and the development of key skills such as creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving.
Reviews
Live Group Class
$15
weekly1x per week
55 min
Completed by 2 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 5-10
3-6 learners per class