This week in my Modern World History 1 class, we will delve into the fascinating world of Muslim Culture. With Thanksgiving break approaching, we have a short week ahead, featuring just two days of class. On Tuesday, our school will experience a temporary internet outage due to construction, so we’ll need to adapt our activities accordingly!
Reflections on the Imperialism Simulation
In Modern World History 2, I recently graded the Imperialism Simulation Reports, and I was thoroughly impressed by the level of detail the majority of students provided. It’s always intriguing to witness students who initially feel lost- gradually find their footing and grasp the main concepts. While some may find this process challenging, it’s an essential part of developing critical thinking skills. Engaging with difficult material and persisting through challenges is what fosters growth!
The dice rolling and strategic elements of the simulation add an exciting layer to the learning experience. Students must carefully decide how to allocate their limited income for Research and Development, enhancing their critical thinking as they calculate risks and rewards.
Transitioning to World War I
As we move forward, our next unit will focus on World War I. We will kick off this unit with a World War I Simulation. To prepare, I review my list of participants and consider which students were most engaged during the Imperialism simulation, as well as the insights gleaned from their reports. This helps me assign major roles within the simulation thoughtfully.
On the first day, dubbed 1913, we will conduct a WWI Simulation Student Orientation. During this session, I’ll present a Keynote that outlines the simulation’s rules and scenarios. The highlight of this presentation is the shocking news of the Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary! The looks on the faces of the Serbian and Austria-Hungarian leadership are priceless, as the stakes suddenly become very personal.
Engaging in Negotiation and Strategy
After the orientation, we’ll enjoy some compelling speeches to kick off the simulation. Students often ask questions like, “Can I deceive them and then change my strategy later?” I smile and remind them that while they can do whatever they want, they must stay aligned with their objectives to succeed.
It’s incredibly rewarding to see students immersed in the simulation, negotiating, conducting diplomacy, and developing strategies. The best compliment I can receive as a teacher is hearing students say, “This class goes by too fast!”
Stay tuned for next week’s update on how our simulation unfolds!
Follow Along with Our Simulations
Here are the links to the read-only maps of our simulations—feel free to follow along! Please note that these links will remain active only while the simulation is ongoing. I will take down the maps a week or two after the simulation concludes.