World Almania was a game our Highlander Way Librarian, Mr. Hastings, created when he was in graduate school. When he arrived here, he decided to try the game out on real middle school kids.  The game teaches research, listening and and critical thinking skills by challenging teams to find the answer to obscure and unusual questions using The World Almanac and Book of Facts. The game proved to be a popular educational activity here at Highlander Way and soon we had annual tournaments in which as many as 700 kids competed for a chance to be on the team crowned champion. For several years, the championship match was televised--both in house and on local cable TV. Eventually, the marketing people at World Almanac Education, who had been very generously donating prizes for our games every year, asked to see a copy of a taped competition. They then asked if we'd mind sharing the game with other librarians and teachers. World Almanac Education began marketing the game kit to secondary educators in time for the release of the 2003 World Almanac.

World Almania in its second edition.

Once North American marketing of World Almania began, World Almanac Education started to hear from teachers in elementary schools asking if a similar game could be devised for their grade levels. In 2004, the company introduced "World Almania for Kids," in which students look up their answers in "The World Almanac for Kids."  

These days, Mr. Hastings has lots of fun during his summer break, writing questions and accompanying material for both these games, and, he says, "it's cool to think that a game first played right here now gets to be enjoyed in so many places."

To find out more about the game, visit World Almanac Education.

 

 

The first release of World Almania for Kids.