7th Humanities Studies Politics
7th graders in Mrs. Mattay’s Humanities class had an experiential look inside the world of politics this week.
Students took part in a class-wide simulation using a software called “Decisions, Decisions.” 聽Students were divided into smaller groups and given their scenario: They were the president, seeking re-election, and they had to make a decision about what to do with thousands of refugees who were entering the country. Students worked together in groups to make goals, and base on those goals had to try to achieve them.
Some of the goals made by our students were: to get re-elected, to save money, and to make the lives of refugees better.
The simulation would pose a question that needed an action within a certain time limit. Students were given advice聽from members of their board and then voted democratically in cooperative groups about what their next steps should be. The simulation would then tell the class what happened based upon the decision they made, and immediately give them another problem to solve and decision to make. At the end of the simulation, the class would find out whether or not they were re-elected as President as well as the state of the nation because of the decisions they made during the simulation.
It was not only an engaging, team-oriented, problem solving activity, but it was also a memorable experience for our students that helped them realize the gravity of the decisions they make as well as how it affects the future of those around them.
