Project 07
Title: The Mayors of SimTown
Curricular connections:
Technology, Art/Design, Social Studies/Civics, Language Arts, etc
Synopsis:
Be a virtual developer. Use art and computer media to learn about politics.
Key Questions:
What is a community? What makes a community a good place to work, play or live?
How do decisions made by people affect their community?
What are some key elements that help determine a community’s make-up?
Materials:
Text resources, Digital Camera, Computer, Art materials (paper, pencils, markers, paints)
Activities:
Go on a walking tour of the community. Use a digital camera to record different building types.
Discuss key questions with class.
Divide class into groups. Each group will be a different community.
Each group will be the mayor and council of a new community in the game SimTown.
Each group will vote on which decisions to make in SimTown.
As town is created on computer, a 3 D model of the town is built in the classroom.
After a given time, end the game.
Assess each group on similarity between SimTown and AD model.
Assess each group on status of their SimTown vs others.
Present variety of topical words to students at beginning and end of class.
End with discussion and oral presentations.
Conduct vote on which AD model is class favorite. Discuss results.
Conduct vote on which SimTown is class favorite. Discuss results
Variations:
Create AD model of neighborhood around school instead.
©copyright 1999-2008 Michael Gerrish