Minesweeper

Learning Objectives

• Deductive reasoning, careful observation, pattern reading, patience, risk awareness, and making decisions from partial information.

Activity 1 (Safe Grid)

Data

Setup

Draw a small grid on paper or a board. Hide a few dangerous cells and mark nearby clue numbers.

Use these grid examples:

• A 4x4 grid with 3 hidden danger cells
• A 5x5 grid with 4 hidden danger cells
• A 3x6 grid with 3 hidden danger cells

How to Play

1. Divide shabab into teams.
2. Show the grid with some clue numbers already revealed.
3. Teams discuss which cells are likely safe.
4. They mark one safe move at a time.
5. If a team makes a wrong guess, the murabbi explains the clue logic.

Simple Clue Rule

• A number tells how many danger cells touch that square.
• Teams should use the numbers around a square before choosing.
• If one square has only one possible danger nearby, that information helps reveal safe cells.

Sample Answers for Murabbi

• A clue of 1 means exactly one danger cell is touching that square.
• If two clue numbers overlap, they can help narrow down the danger location.
• Edges and corners often have fewer possible neighbors.
• A safe choice comes from logic, not guessing.

Murabbi Notes

Keep the grid small and simple. The goal is to train slow, careful deduction, not to overwhelm the group.

Activity 2 (Logic Path)

Data

Setup

Prepare a short sequence of clues that lead to one safe path.

Use these clue examples:

• One of the middle paths is blocked
• The safe path is next to a clue of 1
• The left corner is clear
• The danger is not on the edge
• The best move is one step away from the largest clue

How to Play

1. Give the clues to the teams in order.
2. Teams discuss each clue before moving.
3. They choose the next safe square or step.
4. The murabbi confirms the logic before the next clue is revealed.
5. Continue until the team reaches the finish.

Creative Challenge

Ask teams to explain their move using the phrase because the clue tells us....

Sample Answers for Murabbi

• The clue narrows the choices, so the team should eliminate impossible squares first.
• The best move is the one supported by the most clues, not the loudest opinion.
• If two clues agree, the team can be more confident.
• If the clue is weak, the team should wait and gather more information.

Murabbi Notes

This lesson should feel like a puzzle. Keep the grid and clues simple enough that the logic is visible to the group.