Conflict Crossroads: Design a Board Game to Explore History
Inquiry Framework
Question Framework
Driving Question
The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we design a board game that teaches players about the causes, motivations, and consequences of a historical conflict, and how these conflicts shape societies and individuals?Essential Questions
Supporting questions that break down major concepts.- How do conflicts shape societies and individuals?
- What are the short-term and long-term consequences of conflict?
- How can games effectively teach about complex historical events?
- What motivates different groups to engage in conflict?
- How can we design a game that is both educational and engaging?
Standards & Learning Goals
Learning Goals
By the end of this project, students will be able to:- Understand the causes, motivations, and consequences of a historical conflict.
- Analyze the short-term and long-term impacts of conflict on societies and individuals.
- Apply game design principles to create an engaging and educational board game.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of games as a tool for teaching complex historical events.
AERO Social Studies Standards
Entry Events
Events that will be used to introduce the project to studentsMystery Artifacts Arrival
A mysterious package arrives containing artifacts (maps, letters, propaganda posters) from a specific historical conflict, but all identifying information is removed. Students must analyze the items to deduce the conflict's who, what, where, when, and why, sparking initial research and game design ideas.Portfolio Activities
Portfolio Activities
These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.Conflict Chronologist: Timeline Creation
Students create a timeline of the historical conflict, marking key events and turning points.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed timeline showing the progression of the conflict, including dates, locations, and brief descriptions of each event.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAERO.SS.1 (Time, Continuity, and Change): Focuses on identifying the temporal context of the conflict.Cause & Effect Explorer: Unpacking Motivations
Students investigate the various factors that led to the conflict, examining political, economic, and social causes.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA cause-and-effect diagram that illustrates the relationships between different factors and the outbreak of the conflict.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAERO.SS.1 (Time, Continuity, and Change): Emphasizes the causes and motivations behind the conflict.Consequence Analyst: Impact Assessment
Students explore the consequences of the conflict, looking at both short-term and long-term impacts on the affected societies and individuals.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA report outlining the consequences of the conflict, including sections on social, economic, and political impacts.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAERO.SS.1 (Time, Continuity, and Change): Focuses on understanding the consequences of the conflict on societies and individuals.Game Mechanic Architect: Designing the Experience
Students design the core mechanics of their board game, focusing on how the game will teach players about the conflict's causes, motivations, and consequences.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed game design document outlining the game's objectives, rules, and mechanics, including how the game will incorporate historical information.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAERO.SS.1 (Time, Continuity, and Change): Applies the understanding of the conflict to game design.Rubric & Reflection
Portfolio Rubric
Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolioConflict Crossroads: Board Game Design Portfolio Rubric
Timeline Construction
Assesses the accuracy, completeness, and clarity of the conflict timeline.Historical Accuracy
Accuracy and completeness of historical information presented in the timeline.
Beginning
1 PointsTimeline contains significant inaccuracies or omissions, demonstrating a lack of understanding of the conflict's key events. Key elements are missing or incorrect.
Developing
2 PointsTimeline contains some inaccuracies or omissions, showing a basic understanding of the conflict's key events. Some elements may be missing or slightly incorrect.
Proficient
3 PointsTimeline is mostly accurate and complete, demonstrating a thorough understanding of the conflict's key events. Minor details may be missing or could be more precise.
Exemplary
4 PointsTimeline is exceptionally accurate, comprehensive, and insightful, demonstrating an advanced understanding of the conflict's key events and their significance. All elements are correct and thoroughly researched.
Presentation Clarity
Clarity and organization of the timeline's presentation, including dates, locations, and descriptions.
Beginning
1 PointsTimeline is poorly organized and difficult to follow, with unclear labels and confusing layout. Dates, locations, and descriptions are hard to understand.
Developing
2 PointsTimeline is somewhat organized but may lack clarity in certain areas. Some labels may be unclear, and the layout could be improved for better readability. Dates, locations and descriptions are present but not clear.
Proficient
3 PointsTimeline is well-organized and easy to follow, with clear labels and a logical layout. Dates, locations, and descriptions are clear and concise.
Exemplary
4 PointsTimeline is exceptionally well-organized, visually appealing, and highly informative, with clear, concise labels and a logical layout that enhances understanding. Dates, locations, and descriptions are presented clearly.
Causal Analysis
Evaluates the depth of research and the clarity of the cause-and-effect diagram in explaining the conflict's origins.Research Depth
Depth of research into the political, economic, and social factors that motivated each party involved in the conflict.
Beginning
1 PointsCause-and-effect diagram lacks depth, showing limited understanding of the motivations behind the conflict. Research is minimal or non-existent.
Developing
2 PointsCause-and-effect diagram shows some understanding of the motivations, but the research is superficial. Key factors may be missing or poorly explained.
Proficient
3 PointsCause-and-effect diagram demonstrates a thorough understanding of the motivations, with well-researched political, economic, and social factors. Relationships are mostly well explained.
Exemplary
4 PointsCause-and-effect diagram is exceptionally insightful, revealing a deep understanding of the complex motivations behind the conflict, supported by extensive research and analysis. Relationships are insightful and complex.
Relationship Clarity
Effectiveness of the cause-and-effect diagram in illustrating the relationships between different factors and the outbreak of the conflict.
Beginning
1 PointsDiagram is confusing and fails to clearly illustrate the relationships between factors. Connections are unclear or missing.
Developing
2 PointsDiagram is somewhat effective but may lack clarity in certain areas. Some connections may be weak or poorly explained.
Proficient
3 PointsDiagram effectively illustrates the relationships between different factors and the conflict, with clear connections and explanations. Relationships are clearly identified.
Exemplary
4 PointsDiagram is exceptionally clear, insightful, and visually compelling, providing a nuanced understanding of the complex relationships between factors and the outbreak of the conflict. Relationships are insightful and well-explained.
Impact Analysis
Assesses the thoroughness, clarity, and organization of the report on the conflict's consequences.Consequence Detail
Thoroughness of the report in detailing the short-term and long-term consequences of the conflict across social, economic, and political categories.
Beginning
1 PointsReport is incomplete and lacks detail, failing to adequately address the consequences of the conflict. Categories are missing or poorly developed.
Developing
2 PointsReport provides a basic overview of the consequences but lacks depth and detail in certain areas. Some categories may be underdeveloped.
Proficient
3 PointsReport thoroughly details the short-term and long-term consequences of the conflict across social, economic, and political categories, with clear examples and explanations. Consequences are thoroughly explained.
Exemplary
4 PointsReport is exceptionally comprehensive and insightful, providing a nuanced analysis of the short-term and long-term consequences of the conflict, supported by detailed evidence and examples. Provides multiple examples.
Report Clarity
Clarity and organization of the report, including the categorization of consequences and the use of evidence to support claims.
Beginning
1 PointsReport is poorly organized and difficult to follow, with unclear categories and a lack of evidence to support claims. No organization or clarity is present.
Developing
2 PointsReport is somewhat organized but may lack clarity in certain areas. The categorization of consequences could be improved, and more evidence is needed.
Proficient
3 PointsReport is well-organized and easy to follow, with clear categories and sufficient evidence to support claims. Consequences are categorized well.
Exemplary
4 PointsReport is exceptionally clear, concise, and well-organized, providing a compelling analysis of the consequences of the conflict, supported by strong evidence and insightful commentary. Clear organization and claims.
Game Design
Evaluates the creativity and feasibility of the game mechanics and the quality of the game design document.Mechanic Design
Creativity and feasibility of the game mechanics in representing the causes, motivations, and consequences of the conflict.
Beginning
1 PointsGame mechanics are poorly conceived, unrealistic, and fail to effectively represent the conflict. Mechanics do not relate to the conflict.
Developing
2 PointsGame mechanics are somewhat relevant but lack creativity and may not be feasible within the context of a board game. Some relation to the conflict is present.
Proficient
3 PointsGame mechanics are creative, feasible, and effectively represent the causes, motivations, and consequences of the conflict. Relations are present and explained.
Exemplary
4 PointsGame mechanics are exceptionally innovative, highly engaging, and seamlessly integrate historical information to create a compelling and educational gaming experience. Historical Context is embedded
Document Quality
Clarity and completeness of the game design document, including the game's objectives, rules, and mechanics.
Beginning
1 PointsGame design document is incomplete, poorly written, and lacks essential information about the game's objectives, rules, and mechanics. Missing all objectives or rules.
Developing
2 PointsGame design document is somewhat complete but may lack clarity in certain areas. Some objectives, rules, or mechanics may be poorly explained.
Proficient
3 PointsGame design document is clear, complete, and well-organized, providing a comprehensive overview of the game's objectives, rules, and mechanics. Rules are clear and explained.
Exemplary
4 PointsGame design document is exceptionally detailed, well-written, and professionally presented, providing a clear and compelling vision for the game and its potential impact. Professionally written and easy to use.