Word History Project by Melissa Lima Amaro
History is better learned when students can experience situations themselves, that is why Mr. Aaron Burnley made all students partake in a world simulation project from the beginning of the year, to the end of the year. Many students liked the project because it was a simulation of the world where they could run things. “I think our teacher decided to make this project to show was how the world would look if it was ran by kids”, Cooper Presgraves said. The students also enjoyed how their countries changed throughout the year. “Our countries have gotten bigger and had more advancements throughout the school year”, Thy Ngo said.
The social part of the project seemed to be the best part of the project for most people. Presgraves said, “This project has allowed me to make connections, helping me more easily transfer to Mel high.” This project allowed students to have a day of the week where they could relax and socialize, with Ngo saying, “I think this project should continue because it allows us to feel more relaxed and socialize with peers around us while we did work.” Students didn't have to just sit in silence and take notes the whole time. Having that time to talk and work together made the class fee more like a community.
Most students figured out what the teacher was trying to do with all this. He used this project that seemed more like a game to, “Teach us how the world changes with a simulation that makes sense to us”, Presgraves said. And to also help students socialize between themselves by allowing that free time to work together. “It has allowed me to make more friends and enjoy class more”, Ngo said. Students have finally understood how different countries and people affect each other. It was a great way to keep students invested in history.
Caption:
WORLD CHANGES. This board shows exactly how much the world has changed in the students simulation and how many countries blended together making 2 distinct giant countries. This project started with small groups around the world, but eventually by the end of this year many of the countries have merged together, with only a few small ones left. “I was originally in a country near Europe that represented Portugal, but as the year went by we became a giant country.”, Ngo said. Photo taken by Melissa Amaro.