"A commitment to human rights cannot be fostered simply through the transmission of knowledge. Action and experience play a crucial role in the learning process." Daisaku Ikeda
American history students need more than just books and lectures to help them learn about America's past; they need hands-on games and simulations to bring history to life.
One of my goals as a teacher is to transmit the belief to my juniors that all humans have worth, have value, have rights. Giving them a chance to act out history and experience empathy for the decisions and people of the past is an invaluable way to help them connect what we do and learn in the classroom to their lives outside of school. Living a long distance from Washington D.C. and many of the living museum experiences that our great nation can offer students means that in our classroom, we have to find ways to simulate the past by playing games that make it come to life for students.
My Project
My students in U.S. History have already learned about the American Revolution in previous years of social studies classes. They need new and unique ways to apply that prior background knowledge while still increasing their learning on this pivotal event. They have never learned about the Cuban Missile Crisis before, but they are thirsty to experience these high stress decisions that leaders must make as part of international strategy.
Imagine a classroom with enthusiastic students engaged in historical role play as they relive the American Revolution and the Cuban Missile Crisis, connecting with the past and learning for their future!
More than half of students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
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