Native American Simulation

Well, we'll see if I can blog about my day while drafting a fantasy football team. Hopefully I don't end up with eight tight ends.

Today was cut short due to heat advisories, but we were still able to do our {settling the room simulations}. I told the students to think of a place in the room where they could have access to resources that they may need during the day. They had access to everything within arm's reach. Then they moved to that spot. I asked them to write down where they settled and why, then list the advantages and disadvantages of that location.

Here are some of the choices they made:

After sharing why they chose their locations, the advantages and the disadvantages, I told them that I would allow them to take two steps in any direction (to simulate travel). Then I asked them what additional resources that got them.

The last thing that we did involved a little problem solving. I asked those students who were not within two steps of the trash can how they could get access to it. Same to those students who did not have access to a pencil sharpener. I am happy to report that all classes figured out that trade was the key to getting access to something that they didn't have. Hurray!!!

I found this idea from my Native American linky. Go on over to find more great social studies ideas!