What happened at the Constitutional Convention? How did our government take shape? Who were the people who helped form our country and how did they do it? This engaging simulation helps students to experience the excitement, compromise, and debates that helped form our national government by recreating the Constitutional Convention of 1787. In it, each student takes on the role of an actual delegate and will reenact three of the most important moments of the entire convention. Using compromise and critical thinking, students will have to try and create consensus to score points, ultimately becoming “Father of the Constitution” by making sure their delegate’s ideas shape the final document. This is a fun, engaging, thought-provoking simulation for upper grade but can be adjusted for younger learners as well. This product contains handouts, teacher scorekeeping sheets, delegate profiles and detailed instructions to make sure you are your students get the most from this fun activity.

This activity gives students a chance to more fully explore and understand how the different parts of English colonial government functioned by giving them a chance to solve problems experienced by an actual English colony. Students will take on several different roles, and by acting out of their assigned roles they will gain an understanding how a colonial charter, assembly, and governor all interacted and worked together to establish rule of law in the New World. This is a great simulation activity for all ages and reinforces all the key concepts relating to English colonial law and government. It includes; - a teacher handbook to explain the activity and give suggestions for setting it up - an example map of the colony and a blank one if you want to create your own - student handouts including a charter and student scenario slips and

This highly interactive group-based game helps students to understand the economic and political factors that influenced the development of colonies in the New World. Not only will students learn about how trade, alliances, wars, and geography played a role in the early development of North America, but they will develop communication, planning, collaboration, and leadership skills, all of which blend nicely with schools who have targeted goals in 21st century learning initiatives. An optional reflective writing assignment can also make this game meet Common Core guidelines. This game was developed over eight years of in-class testing and is engaging, informative, and fun. You won't be disappointed, and students of all ages will love it! This product includes; - a printable game board - a student rule book as well as a teachers guide for first time players - all the files, handouts, and resources your students need to play!

This reading activity introduces students to Common Sense by Thomas Paine, one of the most important written works of the Revolutionary War era. During this document-based investigations, students will use Paine's original text to respond to questions and criticisms relating to independence. Students at a lower reading level will have access to a translated copy of Paine's text, insuring that all students can participate in this Common Core activity! This product comes complete with questions, a made-to-assemble copy of selections from Common Sense, and a teachers guide to help you plan and get started. It includes; - directions for the first time teacher - selections for Thomas Paine's work that include translations for scaffolding

Andrew Jackson: Hero or Villain? If he were put on trial, what would the verdict be? Students get to analyze both sides of this famous American president during this fun Common Core activity. Students will analyze primary and secondary sources to build their cases and then play to role of the lawyers, witnesses, and jury as they determine once and for all if Jackson is the hero of the common man, or the devil incarnate.

The Civil War raged from 1861-1865 and claimed the lives of over 2% of the U.S. population. A war of this scale deserves an equally amazing set of lessons, and this grand simulation is sure way to get your students interested. This group-based simulation allows students to fight the Civil War as either the Union of Confederacy in a team-based game. Students take the role of either the government or army groups and try to take territory and cities while training armies, researching technology, and build their navies in order to win. By taking their opponents cities, they will rob them of production points, and eventually gain victory. This game is designed to be played over a number of weeks, but only takes a few minutes a day to complete. Its a turn-based game that is easy to learn, but hard to master. Your students will have a great time and its the perfect compliment to your unit on the Civil War.