Calamities

Description: At the end of each unit we typically hold 2 "country simulation" days. This lets the students devote time solely to their countries and allows the concepts of the previous unit to be incorporated fully into the simulation. As part of these "country simulation days" we incorporate Calamities - random occurrences that take place inside each country. This might be volcanoes or strong waves of nationalism sweeping across each country.

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Link to Country Simulation:

• Whoever has the most "prestige" at the time can choose to keep or share any positive or negative benefits. This demonstrates the value of prestige (which represents "political influence")

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NCSS Standards: 

• This is dependent on the unit in question - different units deal with different standards and these changes or calamities are often linked to application of this standard

Division of Labour and the Factory System

Description: As living and working conditions are examined during the Industrial Revolution students simulate life in the factory system. Students take on the role as workers and/or foremen in the factory under extreme conditions. As a group their goal is to produce as many high quality products as possible. 

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Link to Country Simulation:

• Based on their results, the production in their countries is either increased or decreased.

• Subsequent to this simulation, students examine life from the factory owner and upper class point of view. They reflect on their experiences and make a decision as to their society focus - either promoting the upper classes and aristocracy, the bourgeoisie, or the proletariat.

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NCSS Standard 8: 

• Learners will understand decisions regarding the uses and consequences of science and technology are often complex because of the need to choose between or reconcile different viewpoints

• Learners will be able to seek and evaluate varied perspectives when weighing how specific applications of science and technology have impacted individuals and societies in an interdependent world

Penland Conference

Description: We examine Imperialism and how Europeans and others dominated Asia and Africa during the 19th century. This simulation re-creates the Berlin Conference of 1884-1885 where Africa was carved up between European powers. Diplomats - supported by their team-mates - negotiate to see who gets which colonies in "Chindica" as well as finalise rules for occupation. 

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Link to Country Simulation:

• Based on their results, each country receives colonies. They must ensure that they follow the rules of occupation such as requisite armed forces to defend and maintain law and order as well as cover administration costs.

• If there are any disputes, the final decision rests with the "Prestige" leaders

• As they receive colonies each country - dependent on their technology levels - receives trade income and extra resources with which to improve their country.

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NCSS Standard 6: 

• Learners will understand the factors that contribute to cooperation and conflict among peoples of the nation and world, including language, religion, and political beliefs

• Learners will understand mechanisms by which governments meet the needs and wants of citizens, regulate territory, manage conflict, establish order and security, and balance competing conceptions of a just society

• Learners will be able to analyze and evaluate conditions, actions, and motivations that contribute to conflict and cooperation among groups and nations

The Yorkton Peace Conference

With World War I complete we simulate the re-ordering of the post-war world. This simulation re-creates the Paris Peace Conference of 1919 where Great Britain, France, the USA and Italy (the big 4) drafted the "Treaty of Versailles". Leaders of each country discuss how they will punish those responsible for causing the previous war.

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Link to Country Simulation:

• In each simulation a war is orchestrated by the simulation master to parallel World War I

• Each country has specific secret goals and seeing as each simulation is different, these goals are are customised for each class

• To simulate Germany's lack of an invitation to the peace conference, the country "responsible" for beginning hostilities is not permitted voting power

• On achieving these goals the continent is re-shaped and prestige is adjusted

• This effectively ends the simulation and determines, if any, the "winning" country based on prestige

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NCSS Standard 9: 

• Learners will understand the solutions to global issues may involve individual decisions and actions, but also require national and international approaches (e.g., agreements, negotiations, policies, or laws)

• Learners will understand individuals, organizations, nations, and international entities can work to increase the positive effects of global connections, and address the negative impacts of global issues

• Learners will be able to illustrate how individual behaviors and decisions connect with global systems