Driving Question:
How can board games teach students about the US Constitution?
Learning Targets:
I can describe the basic structure of the
Constitution.
I can explain how did the founders balance the
power of each branch?
I can identify the powers of the Executive branch
I can identify the powers of the Legislative branch
I
can identify the powers of the Judicial branch
Overview:
Teams of 4 will create a board game that demonstrates their understanding
of the American Constitution using trivia that covers chapters 3 section 1-3
from pages 63-81 in your textbook. Your task is to design a game board,
complete with pawns/game pieces and at least 25 trivia question cards. The
rules of the game are up to you. Use games you already love to play as
inspiration for your game! Some possible materials are cardboard, lightweight
wood, foam board, oak tag, etc. Your game may include a spinner, dice, etc. I will
be able to provide you with some of the supplies. Remember, the game should challenge
players on information from chapter 3 in your textbook.
Criteria:
·
Rules are written clearly and
sequenced in logical order.
·
Components, craftsmanship and
presentation are appropriate, professional, and visually attractive for market.
·
Contains a proper mixture of both
strategy and luck.
·
Fosters competition among the
participants.
·
Must be marketable (in other words,
visually creative, fun, and competitive).
·
Can be played by 4 (or more) people in
one class period.
·
Does not require unreasonable amounts
of knowledge in order to play but must demonstrate the scholarship of the game
creators. If the game contains questions for the players to answer, they may
not be obscure trivia or nonsense type questions (“How many flags are in our
classroom?”).
Concepts that must be covered (found
on pages 63-81)
·
Preamble, Articles 1-7, popular
sovereignty, federalism, separation of power, checks & balances, judicial
review, limited government, branches of government (legislative, executive,
judicial): enumerated, reserved, &expressed powers of each, amendment
process, proposing amendments (ratification, petition, balanced po, ratifying
amendments, congress sets rules, informal changes (impeachment, treaties)
presidential succession, judicial review, change due to court rulings.
Games should include
•
game board (needs to be at least 20’’
by 20’’)
•
pawns/game pieces
•
trivia question cards (you can use
index cards)
•
spinner/ dice/ other
•
a name for your game
•
all of your game pieces and cards
should be handed in inside a clear plastic bag with your name(s) on it
•
board game write –up (see directions
below)
Your board game write-up must include:
•
Object of the game: Decide how the
game is won.
•
Equipment: What are the necessary
supplies needed to play the game. (Game board, die, cards, etc.)
•
Set up: How do you set up the board
before play? How do you decide who takes the first turn?
•
Rules of play: How does a player move
around the board? Are there penalties for wrong answers? How many players can
play?
•
List of Trivia Questions: What are the
trivia questions and answers used in your game? Each question and answer needs
to be written out on this write-up.
Models to consider:
·
The "Trivial Pursuit" Model
o
Players have to answer questions in
order to advance in the game.
·
The "Life" or "Chutes
and Ladders" Model
o
Follow a basic pattern but also allow
for outside events to happen to the players. ("Player lands on spaces; go
back three spaces").
·
The "Monopoly" Model
o
The Chance and Community Chest Card
concept could be modified to include outside events as well as demonstrate your
knowledge of the concepts. ( Collect $500" or "Player must go to jail
")
