The Living Constitution Board Game Project Due Date: 9/27/13

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 ")