Classroom Simulations
Tomorrow my darling little sixth graders will be doing an immigration simulation. They had to draw identities out of a hat and after going thr0ugh a mock Ellis Island, 50% will be accepted into America, and half will be deported. The ones who arrive in “America” (another teacher’s classroom) will get a feast of all-American foods and will take a mock citizenship test. The deportees will argue their case before an appeals judge and some will be able to get in from there, while others will have to stay behind. Should be lots of fun. I love doing activities like this, but the mental preparation is a complete headache. I coordinate the parent volunteers, train some of the students to be Ellis Island officials, and try to make sure it all runs smoothly. It should work out and I know they’ll love it. It’s fun to see the excitement on their faces, and they also get to dress up as their characters. :crazyjumping:
By the way, if any of you have middle school students who need any U.S. History resources, this is a link to my classroom page (under my married name). There are some practice pages and Jeopardy games they can play. Those of you who are teachers, feel free to use any of the stuff that’s helpful to you.
We also do a Ford Assembly line where they draw automobiles, a WWII Boot Camp through their P.E. classes and a 1950’s sock hop where they learn to jitterbug, play jacks/marbles, watch 1950’s ads and eat at the Ice Cream Soda Shoppe, and watch an episode of “I Love Lucy.” History can be so much fun in the classroom if you find the right activities.
Think back to when you were in school. Do you remember a fun activity you did or a teacher who inspired you?
P.S.: My Dot Moms post is up. 
Michelle posted in Writing @ 5:56 pm | Viewed 1313 times
Amy K. Says:
Your classroom sounds so fun! I, um, don’t remember much from my school days. I think I was in a sleep-deprived fog for most of it!
Danica Says:
Why couldn’t you have been my teacher?
Tori Says:
I’m with Danica! None of my teachers ever had such fun classes!
Bonnie Ferguson Says:
Ooh that sounds like fun
Even though I loved history in school, I don’t remember doing anything like that:hissyfit:
Christine Keach Says:
That sounds so cool! what a motivating experience! I don’t remember doing that kind of thing in school, but I’ve tried to incorporate activities like that into my classroom too. Once, I had my 2nd graders read a children’s version of Romeo & Juliet and then they made masks for a ball and performed a dance for our winter program! It was adorable. Plus, now that I have the same kids as 5th & 6th graders they remember that dance, R & J and how much I love Shakespeare.
Katie Says:
Sounds like a good time! Hope they enjoy it - and retain a lot.
We did the dress up in Olde English in high school, with the dinner and the speeches, which was very fun.
Peggy Says:
Our class went to visit a pioneer school where we dressed up in pioneer clothes, learned how to make candles and homemade coleslaw. I wore my hair in braids and felt so proud when everyone told me I looked like Laura Ingalls.
kacey Says:
wow, MY teachers were never like you. And my kids’ middle school teachers sure as hell weren’t!!
Kelly Says:
That sounds like so much fune!
Mary Says:
What an interesting activity. I want to be in your class!! All we did were work sheets.
Rene Says:
That is a really cool activity.
I really hated school until I hit college. I don’t remember any of my teachers being so inspired. In fact, I was talking about this with a few other parents the other day. We all came from traditional schools where the teacher sat behind a desk and we did our work. My kids have incredible teachers and a school that encourages creativity. They are so fortunate.
Stacy Says:
That sounds like hords of fun!! I remember my highschool history/english teacher really brought the world to the classroom. And a moche trial we had to put on…I was a little old lady whose dog kept widdling on the witness.
Suzanne Says:
You are soooo good at that stuff!!!