Games and Simulations in the Classroom #1

Name of the game: Bens Guide, Place the States

URL of the game: http://bensguide.gpo.gov/games

Grade levels: k-6

Content area: social studies (government)

Description of the game: this game helps students with their memory of
the states placement in our country. They are given an empty map with cut
outs of the state, and are requested to name the location of each state.
(This game ties to the Remember level of Blooms, as students are trying to
remember states locations.) (This game ties to the standard CCSS.ELALITERACY.RH.6-8.7 integration of knowledge and ideas)
My ideas for using this game: Students could use this game as a warm
up for our lesson. (maybe the students whom gets the most states correct
wins a prize/ extra credit?) Its a simple game, but even many older
students and adults dont know the locations of all our states.
Helpful hints: This game is very easy to manipulate, its free, no further
instructions are required. Very self-explanatory. And while the graphics are
targeted towards a younger age, this game could be suitable for students
all ages.

Games and Simulations in the Classroom #2

Name of the game: Checks and Balances Games

URL of the game:

http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/usa_game/government/index.htm

Grade levels: 11-12

Content area: social studies (government)

Description of the game: This game tells you what the legislative,
executive, and judicial branches do, they give you a little starting info, and
then give you some fill in the blanks so you can determine which branch
does what. Giving you a scale, and the right answer will add weight to the
scale. This game is easy because the wrong answer is dragged back to the
drawing board if you place it in the incorrect spot! (This game ties to the
Understand level of Blooms, as students are learning what branch does
what.) (This game ties to the standard: Objective 3-A)
My ideas for using this game: Students could use this game as an after
lesson activity to see what they remember from the lesson. (maybe the
students whom gets the most states correct wins a prize/ extra credit?) Its
a simple game, because you cant get the answer wrong!
Helpful hints: This game is very easy to manipulate, its free, no further
instructions are required. (A little too easy) If you dont have pre-existing
knowledge of checks and balances, you will be dragging a lot of wrong
answers!

Games and Simulations in the Classroom #3

Name of the game: Do I have a right?

URL of the game: https://www.icivics.org/games

Grade levels: 9-12

Content area: social studies (government)

 Description of the game: This game is very cool! You run your own
lawyer firm that specialized in cases that deal with citizen rights. You are
given client cases and you and your lawyer partner decide if citizen rights
determine if the client has a case! (This game ties to the Understand level
of Blooms, as students are learning what citizen rights are, and how far
they go.) (This game ties to the standard 4 Objective 1-A)
My ideas for using this game: This game could be used a lesson or
analysis to see what students know about their rights. It could be good to
explore what students know about citizen rights, and after, teach them what
are rights and what arent!
Helpful hints: This game is very easy to manipulate, its free, and very
fun! You are encouraged to create a profile so you can save games and
come back to them.