Domino – A Fun Word to Play With and a Metaphor for Learning Challenges
Domino
A small rectangular block used as a game piece, bearing an arrangement of spots resembling those on dice and arranged so that one side is blank or identically patterned to the other. It is a variant of the playing card, but unlike a playing card, each domino is capable of holding more than one match. In a standard double-six set, there are 28 unique pieces.
The name domino is also used as a noun meaning the result of an event that leads to a change in something else. For example, the actions of someone who is a good influence can cause others to follow suit. This is a domino effect, and it can have positive or negative consequences.
Domino is a fun word to play with, and it can be an excellent metaphor for learning challenges. Just like a single domino can impact an entire line, compensating for a learning difference can have ripple effects that impact the student’s ability to master other basic skills. This is why it is so important to recognize and address a student’s learning differences as early as possible.
When we are young, we all love to set up a row of dominoes and then flick the first one, watching it fall in mesmerizing fashion. Each subsequent domino adds to the excitement and builds the energy until the final domino falls. The process is a great reminder that the outcome of a task often depends on a series of simple steps that lead to the end result.
There are many different ways to play a game with dominoes, from scoring games and blocking games to games that involve strategy. A popular game is a variation of Concentration called domino solitaire, in which the player matches pairs of tiles based on their number of pips. Other games include a variety of domino spinners, domino puzzles, and domino chess.
In fiction, a story works best when the action flows smoothly from scene to scene, similar to the way that dominoes tumble in a line. Each scene must build on the last, with no hiccups in logic that confuse readers. For example, if your hero shoots a stranger, the reader must be convinced that this is a justifiable action, or the story will lose credibility. The same is true for any scene that runs counter to societal norms, although you may need to give the reader sufficient motivation and reason to accept the immoral behavior. Like the domino, the right sequence of scenes can create a satisfying climax.