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Mission US - Thirteen
Grades
4 to 8
Mission US is a free, interactive U.S. history simulation game that puts students in the shoes of young people during critical moments in the nation's past. Each mission immerses players...more
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Mission US is a free, interactive U.S. history simulation game that puts students in the shoes of young people during critical moments in the nation's past. Each mission immerses players in different eras--such as pre-Revolution Boston, westward expansion, or the Great Depression--through story-driven gameplay and decision-making. In Mission 1, "For Crown or Colony?", students experience the events leading up to the American Revolution through the eyes of Nat Wheeler, a 14-year-old apprentice in 1770. The platform is browser-based (no Flash required) and supports classroom use with optional teacher accounts for tracking student progress.
tag(s): 1800s (75), abolition (7), american revolution (86), evolution (89), great depression (30), immigrants (48), immigration (84), slavery (80), westward expansion (40), world war 2 (163)
In the Classroom
This is a must for any social studies or US History class. If you are remote or hybrid teaching, besure to read the section for usng Mission US while learning at home. Start by checking out the teachers area so you can follow the progress of your students. Use the demo game on an interactive whiteboard or with a projector to introduce it to your students. Once classes are set up have your students work in cooperative groups and work their way through the activities. There are wonderful teacher resources available including models for instruction, tips, instructions and student handouts. Resources are available in both PDF and Word so you can customize the worksheets for your students. This feature is great for differentiating materials for various student levels. When all students are done with a Mission, enhance student learning and have a class discussion about what side they chose and why? Consider using a backchanneling tool such as Yo!Teach, reviewed here, which allows all students a chance to voice their opinions (even the shyest and quiet ones). If your class is remote learning, for the discussion, extend learning by using Gravity, reviewed here; require them to comment (politely) on their peers choices and reflections.
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