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Plan
Week 1
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Activities
Westward Adventure Day Kickoff - Begin the project with an immersive role-playing session where students take on the roles of settlers, railroad workers, Native tribes, and cattle ranchers. This activity sets the stage for understanding the historical context and diverse perspectives of the Westward Expansion. (80 min)
Introduction to Historical Context - Facilitate a discussion on key events of the Westward Expansion, highlighting the different experiences of involved groups. This will provide a foundational understanding for the board game design. (30 min)
Character Profile Development - Guide students in creating detailed character profiles for their board game roles, incorporating historical facts and narratives to reflect diverse experiences. Students will begin researching and drafting profiles. (50 min)
Collaborative Digital Timeline Creation - Introduce the collaborative digital timeline project. Students will research and add key events, figures, and narratives from the Westward Expansion to the timeline, incorporating multimedia elements. (40 min)
Game Mechanics Brainstorm - In groups, students brainstorm initial ideas for their board game's mechanics, focusing on how to accurately represent historical challenges and opportunities. Encourage the use of permutations and combinations to develop innovative mechanics. (40 min)
Deliverables
1. Detailed character profiles for each role in the board game.
2. Initial drafts of the collaborative digital timeline entries.
3. Research notes and historical facts gathered for board game design.
4. A brainstormed list of potential game mechanics addressing the essential question.
Preparation 1. Gather historical resources and materials related to the Westward Expansion, including books, articles, and multimedia content.
2. Coordinate with a Native American cultural center to schedule a workshop for Week 2.
3. Prepare materials for role-playing scenarios, including character role cards and scenario prompts.
4. Set up digital tools for creating the collaborative timeline, such as Google Slides or Padlet.
5. Ensure access to art supplies for creating character profiles, such as paper, markers, and digital design tools.
Week 2
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Activities
Character Profile Refinement - Students refine their character profiles by integrating deeper historical research, focusing on the motivations and challenges faced by each group during the Westward Expansion. (40 min)
Historical Perspective Workshop - Conduct a session where students share their character profiles and receive feedback from peers to ensure historical accuracy and diverse representation. (40 min)
Collaborative Digital Timeline Development - Students continue developing the digital timeline, adding multimedia elements and ensuring their entries align with their character profiles. (40 min)
Game Mechanics Design - Students work in groups to develop detailed game mechanics, using permutations and combinations to incorporate mathematical concepts into their designs. (40 min)
Peer Feedback on Game Mechanics - Students exchange their game designs with peers for feedback, focusing on historical representation, game balance, and engagement. (40 min)
Revision and Iteration - Based on peer feedback, students revise their game mechanics and character profiles to enhance historical authenticity and gameplay experience. (40 min)
Deliverables
1. Detailed character profiles for each role in the board game, incorporating historical facts and narratives.
2. Collaborative digital timeline entries highlighting key events and figures from the Westward Expansion, including multimedia elements.
3. Written feedback from peers on initial board game designs, focusing on historical accuracy and engagement.
4. Revised board game mechanics and narratives based on peer and teacher feedback.
5. Reflection journals where students document insights from the Native American cultural center workshop and its impact on their game design.
Preparation 1. Gather historical resources and primary sources related to the Westward Expansion, including documents, maps, and multimedia materials.
2. Arrange a virtual or in-person workshop with the Native American cultural center to provide students with authentic perspectives.
3. Prepare materials for creating digital timelines, such as computers, internet access, and multimedia software.
4. Organize feedback session guidelines and criteria for peer reviews of the board games.
5. Ensure access to online collaboration tools for students to work on their digital timelines and character profiles.
Week 3
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9
Activities
Game Mechanics Development - Students work in groups to finalize the game mechanics, ensuring they incorporate historical challenges and opportunities using mathematical concepts like permutations and combinations. (40 min)
Peer Feedback Session - Students swap board games with another group and playtest them, providing constructive feedback focusing on historical accuracy, game mechanics, and player engagement. (40 min)
Integrating Feedback and Revising - Students review peer feedback and make necessary revisions to improve their board game designs, ensuring the integration of diverse historical narratives. (50 min)
Collaborative Digital Timeline Enhancement - Students continue to develop the digital timeline by adding multimedia elements and analyzing the historical significance of key events related to their board game narratives. (30 min)
Character Profile Presentation - Students present their detailed character profiles to the class, explaining how they reflect the motivations and experiences of different groups during the Westward Expansion. (40 min)
Community Partner Workshop - Participate in a workshop with a Native American cultural center, where students learn about the perspectives and experiences of Native tribes, ensuring these narratives are accurately represented in their games. (40 min)
Deliverables
1. Revised board games incorporating peer feedback and historical narratives.
2. Completed character profiles that accurately reflect diverse experiences during the Westward Expansion.
3. Expanded digital timeline with multimedia elements and analysis of key historical events and figures.
4. Documented insights and reflections from the Native American cultural center workshop, integrated into the game design.
5. Revised game mechanics and narratives based on critique and revision sessions.
Preparation 1. Arrange for peer feedback sessions and prepare guidelines for providing constructive critique.
2. Gather additional historical resources and primary source materials for students to refine character profiles.
3. Coordinate with a Native American cultural center for workshops and ensure necessary technology for virtual or in-person sessions.
4. Prepare digital tools and templates for expanding the collaborative timeline with multimedia elements.
5. Set up digital and physical spaces for critique and revision sessions, ensuring all materials are accessible.
Week 4
Day 10
Day 11
Day 12
Activities
Final Game Development and Testing - Students finalize their board games, ensuring all historical narratives and mechanics are aligned. Conduct a final round of playtesting to ensure balance and engagement. (40 min)
Peer Feedback and Reflection - Organize a session where students play each other's board games and provide constructive feedback, focusing on historical representation and gameplay experience. Facilitate a reflection discussion on the feedback received and how it can be incorporated. (40 min)
Digital Timeline Finalization - Students complete their collaborative digital timeline, adding any remaining multimedia elements and historical analysis. Ensure that the timeline accurately reflects key events and figures from the Westward Expansion. (40 min)
Exhibition Preparation - Begin preparing for the 'Trailblazers' Showcase by organizing materials, creating presentation scripts, and practicing effective communication to engage visitors. (40 min)
Trailblazers' Showcase Setup - Set up the exhibition space, ensuring that each group is ready to present their board game and digital timeline. Practice presentation skills and finalize any last-minute details. (40 min)
Trailblazers' Showcase - Host the exhibition where students present their board games and digital timelines to visiting classes and community members, demonstrating their understanding of historical complexities and effective communication. Engage visitors in gameplay and discussions to highlight decision-making processes behind their designs. (40 min)
Deliverables
1. Peer feedback forms with constructive comments on the board games.
2. Completed and refined character profiles for each role in the board game.
3. Finalized collaborative digital timeline with multimedia elements and historical analysis.
4. A presentation prepared by each group, highlighting the historical aspects and design process of their board game.
5. Exhibition of board games at the Trailblazers' Showcase, with each group presenting their game to peers and community members.
6. Self and peer reflection documents detailing students' learning experiences and insights gained throughout the project.
Preparation 1. Gather materials for the peer feedback session, including feedback forms and timekeeping tools.
2. Ensure access to digital tools for updating and finalizing the collaborative timeline.
3. Arrange for printing and display materials for the Trailblazers' Showcase, such as presentation boards and tables.
4. Coordinate with the Native American cultural center to provide final insights or resources needed for authentic representation in the games.
5. Set up the exhibition space with adequate stations for each group and ensure technical equipment like projectors or laptops is available.
6. Prepare reflection sheets and guides for the final self and peer reflection session.