Utah Constitution Board Game: A Multi-Disciplinary Learning Experience
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Utah Constitution Board Game: A Multi-Disciplinary Learning Experience

Grade 9EnglishMathScienceArt5 days
In this project, 9th-grade students design a board game that integrates math, science, and art to teach the civic virtues and principles of the Utah Constitution. Students engage in activities such as a Constitutional Convention simulation and a Mystery Box challenge to explore the Constitution's origins and relevance. The project involves creating a historical timeline, analyzing civic virtues and principles, and refining the game design based on feedback, culminating in a fully developed and tested board game ready for presentation. The rubric assesses interdisciplinary integration, historical accuracy, constitutional analysis, and game design, promoting meaningful learning outcomes.
Utah ConstitutionBoard Game DesignCivic VirtuesInterdisciplinary LearningHistorical TimelineGame Mechanics
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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we design an engaging board game that integrates math, science, and art to effectively teach the civic virtues and principles of the Utah Constitution?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.
  • How does the Utah Constitution reflect civic virtues and principles?
  • How can a board game effectively teach the principles of the Utah Constitution?
  • How can math, science, and art be integrated into a board game to represent and explain different aspects of the Utah Constitution?
  • What are the key components of an engaging and educational board game?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:
  • Understand the principles and civic virtues in the Utah Constitution.
  • Integrate math concepts into the board game design to represent constitutional principles.
  • Incorporate scientific concepts into the board game design to explain relevant aspects of the Utah Constitution.
  • Use art and design principles to create an engaging and visually appealing board game.
  • Develop a board game that effectively teaches the Utah Constitution to other students.
  • Apply game design principles to create a balanced and playable game.

UT Standards

UT Standard 3.1
Primary
Students will identify the civic virtues and principles codified by the Utah Constitution.Reason: Directly addresses the core content of the Utah Constitution.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

Constitutional Convention Simulation

Hold a mock Constitutional Convention simulation where students role-play as delegates debating and voting on key articles. This event immediately immerses students in the historical context, sparking curiosity about the Constitution's origins and relevance. The debate format encourages critical thinking and provides a platform for students to voice their perspectives, fostering a personal connection to the project's core themes.

Mystery Box Challenge

Create a 'Mystery Box' challenge where each box contains artifacts or symbols representing different aspects of the Utah Constitution (e.g., a miniature gavel for the judicial branch, a blueprint for infrastructure representing public works). Students work in teams to decipher the meaning of their assigned box and relate it to the Constitution, fostering collaborative problem-solving. This interactive challenge piques curiosity through tangible objects and encourages students to delve into the Constitution's principles through a hands-on, investigative approach.
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Portfolio Activities

Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.
Activity 1

Interdisciplinary Integration Brainstorm

Students will brainstorm and prototype how math, science, and art concepts can be integrated into their board game to represent and explain different aspects of the Utah Constitution. This activity encourages creative problem-solving and interdisciplinary thinking.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Brainstorm different ways to represent constitutional principles using math concepts (e.g., probability, statistics).
2. Explore how scientific concepts (e.g., systems thinking, cause and effect) can explain aspects of the Constitution.
3. Sketch out artistic and visual elements that will make the game engaging and educational.
4. Create a prototype of a small section of the game to test the integrated concepts.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed design document outlining the game mechanics, including how math, science, and art elements are incorporated to teach about the Utah Constitution.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsIntegrates math, science, and art into the understanding of UT Standard 3.1.
Activity 2

Constitution's Historical Timeline

Students research the historical context of the Utah Constitution. They explore the key events, people, and compromises that shaped the document. This activity provides a solid foundation for understanding the content that will be translated into the board game.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Research the key events leading to the creation of the Utah Constitution.
2. Identify the main figures involved in drafting the Constitution.
3. Create a timeline highlighting significant dates, events, and decisions.
4. Write a brief summary of each event's impact on the final Constitution.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed historical timeline of the Utah Constitution's creation.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses UT Standard 3.1 by focusing on identifying civic virtues and principles.
Activity 3

Civic Virtues and Principles Analysis

Students will analyze the Utah Constitution to identify and explain the core civic virtues and principles it embodies. This involves reading relevant sections of the Constitution and interpreting their meaning in the context of modern society.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Read the full text of the Utah Constitution.
2. Identify key sections that reflect civic virtues (e.g., justice, equality, responsibility) and principles (e.g., separation of powers, checks and balances).
3. Write a paragraph explaining each identified virtue and principle, providing specific examples from the Constitution.
4. Cite the specific articles and sections of the Constitution used as evidence.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA written analysis explaining the identified civic virtues and principles, supported by textual evidence from the Utah Constitution.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsCovers UT Standard 3.1 by requiring students to identify and explain civic virtues and principles.
Activity 4

Game Design and Refinement

Students will refine their board game design based on feedback from peers and teachers. They will focus on playability, educational value, and engagement.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Present the game design to peers and teachers for feedback.
2. Revise the game mechanics, rules, and design based on the received feedback.
3. Conduct playtesting sessions to ensure playability and balance.
4. Finalize all game components, including the board, cards, and rulebook.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA fully developed and tested board game, ready for presentation.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsFocuses on the 'design a board game' aspect of the project.
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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Utah Constitution Board Game Rubric

Category 1

Interdisciplinary Integration & Design

This category assesses the student's ability to integrate math, science, and art concepts into their board game to represent and explain different aspects of the Utah Constitution. It also evaluates the clarity and depth of the design document.
Criterion 1

Interdisciplinary Integration

Integration of math, science, and art concepts to explain and represent principles of the Utah Constitution within the game design.

Exemplary
4 Points

Sophisticated and innovative integration of math, science, and art concepts to create a cohesive and insightful representation of the Utah Constitution's principles. The game mechanics intricately weave together these disciplines to enhance understanding.

Proficient
3 Points

Effective integration of math, science, and art concepts, demonstrating a clear understanding of the Utah Constitution's principles. The game mechanics appropriately blend these disciplines to support learning.

Developing
2 Points

Inconsistent integration of math, science, and art concepts, with limited success in representing the Utah Constitution's principles. The game mechanics show a basic attempt to blend these disciplines, but the connection is not always clear.

Beginning
1 Points

Minimal or absent integration of math, science, and art concepts. The game design struggles to represent the Utah Constitution's principles, and the connection between disciplines is weak or nonexistent.

Criterion 2

Design Document Clarity

Clarity and depth of the design document outlining the game mechanics and integrated concepts.

Exemplary
4 Points

The design document is exceptionally detailed, providing a comprehensive and clear explanation of the game mechanics and how they integrate math, science, and art to teach about the Utah Constitution. It demonstrates a deep understanding of the subject matter.

Proficient
3 Points

The design document is well-detailed, providing a clear explanation of the game mechanics and how they integrate math, science, and art to teach about the Utah Constitution. It demonstrates a solid understanding of the subject matter.

Developing
2 Points

The design document lacks detail in certain areas, providing a somewhat unclear explanation of the game mechanics and the integration of math, science, and art. Understanding of the subject matter is emerging.

Beginning
1 Points

The design document is incomplete and lacks clarity, failing to adequately explain the game mechanics or the integration of math, science, and art. Understanding of the subject matter is minimal.

Category 2

Historical Timeline

This category assesses the accuracy, thoroughness, organization, and presentation of the historical timeline, focusing on key events, people, and decisions related to the Utah Constitution.
Criterion 1

Historical Accuracy

Accuracy and thoroughness of the historical timeline, including key events, people, and decisions related to the Utah Constitution.

Exemplary
4 Points

The historical timeline is exceptionally accurate, thorough, and insightful, providing a comprehensive overview of key events, people, and decisions related to the Utah Constitution. Demonstrates advanced research skills and a deep understanding of historical context.

Proficient
3 Points

The historical timeline is accurate and thorough, providing a clear overview of key events, people, and decisions related to the Utah Constitution. Demonstrates effective research skills and a solid understanding of historical context.

Developing
2 Points

The historical timeline contains some inaccuracies or omissions, providing a partially complete overview of key events, people, and decisions related to the Utah Constitution. Demonstrates emerging research skills and a basic understanding of historical context.

Beginning
1 Points

The historical timeline is inaccurate and incomplete, failing to provide a clear overview of key events, people, and decisions related to the Utah Constitution. Demonstrates limited research skills and a minimal understanding of historical context.

Criterion 2

Timeline Presentation

Organization and presentation of the timeline, including clarity, visual appeal, and coherence.

Exemplary
4 Points

The timeline is exceptionally well-organized and presented, with a clear, visually appealing, and coherent structure that enhances understanding and engagement. Demonstrates advanced presentation skills.

Proficient
3 Points

The timeline is well-organized and presented, with a clear, visually appealing, and coherent structure that supports understanding and engagement. Demonstrates effective presentation skills.

Developing
2 Points

The timeline is somewhat disorganized or lacks visual appeal, making it partially difficult to follow and understand. Demonstrates emerging presentation skills.

Beginning
1 Points

The timeline is disorganized and lacks visual appeal, making it difficult to follow and understand. Demonstrates limited presentation skills.

Category 3

Constitutional Analysis

This category assesses the student's ability to analyze the Utah Constitution, identify and explain core civic virtues and principles, and provide textual evidence to support their claims.
Criterion 1

Virtues & Principles

Identification and explanation of core civic virtues (e.g., justice, equality, responsibility) and principles (e.g., separation of powers, checks and balances) in the Utah Constitution.

Exemplary
4 Points

The analysis demonstrates a sophisticated and nuanced understanding of the Utah Constitution, accurately identifying and explaining core civic virtues and principles with insightful examples and connections to modern society. Demonstrates exceptional critical thinking and analytical skills.

Proficient
3 Points

The analysis demonstrates a thorough understanding of the Utah Constitution, accurately identifying and explaining core civic virtues and principles with clear examples and connections to modern society. Demonstrates effective critical thinking and analytical skills.

Developing
2 Points

The analysis demonstrates an emerging understanding of the Utah Constitution, with some inaccuracies or omissions in the identification and explanation of core civic virtues and principles. Connections to modern society may be superficial. Demonstrates basic critical thinking and analytical skills.

Beginning
1 Points

The analysis demonstrates a limited understanding of the Utah Constitution, with significant inaccuracies or omissions in the identification and explanation of core civic virtues and principles. Lacks clear connections to modern society. Demonstrates minimal critical thinking and analytical skills.

Criterion 2

Textual Evidence

Use of textual evidence from the Utah Constitution to support the identified virtues and principles.

Exemplary
4 Points

The analysis provides comprehensive and compelling textual evidence from the Utah Constitution to support the identified virtues and principles, demonstrating a deep understanding of the document and its relevance. Citations are accurate and effectively used.

Proficient
3 Points

The analysis provides clear and relevant textual evidence from the Utah Constitution to support the identified virtues and principles, demonstrating a solid understanding of the document and its relevance. Citations are accurate and appropriately used.

Developing
2 Points

The analysis provides limited or weak textual evidence from the Utah Constitution to support the identified virtues and principles, suggesting a superficial understanding of the document and its relevance. Citations may be inaccurate or inappropriately used.

Beginning
1 Points

The analysis provides insufficient or irrelevant textual evidence from the Utah Constitution to support the identified virtues and principles, demonstrating a minimal understanding of the document and its relevance. Citations are missing or inaccurate.

Category 4

Game Design & Refinement

This category assesses the playability, educational value, and refinement of the board game design based on feedback from peers and teachers.
Criterion 1

Game Playability

Playability and balance of the game, ensuring it is engaging and enjoyable for players.

Exemplary
4 Points

The game is exceptionally playable, balanced, and engaging, providing a seamless and enjoyable experience for players of all levels. Demonstrates advanced game design skills and attention to detail.

Proficient
3 Points

The game is playable, balanced, and engaging, providing a positive experience for players. Demonstrates effective game design skills.

Developing
2 Points

The game has some playability or balance issues, potentially affecting the overall enjoyment for players. Demonstrates emerging game design skills.

Beginning
1 Points

The game is unplayable or significantly unbalanced, providing a frustrating experience for players. Demonstrates limited game design skills.

Criterion 2

Educational Value

Educational value of the game, effectively teaching players about the Utah Constitution.

Exemplary
4 Points

The game is exceptionally educational, providing players with a deep and comprehensive understanding of the Utah Constitution in an engaging and memorable way. Demonstrates advanced pedagogical design.

Proficient
3 Points

The game is educational, providing players with a clear and accurate understanding of the Utah Constitution. Demonstrates effective pedagogical design.

Developing
2 Points

The game has limited educational value, providing players with a superficial or incomplete understanding of the Utah Constitution. Demonstrates emerging pedagogical design.

Beginning
1 Points

The game fails to effectively teach players about the Utah Constitution. Demonstrates limited pedagogical design.

Criterion 3

Feedback Implementation

Quality and implementation of revisions based on feedback from peers and teachers.

Exemplary
4 Points

The game design is significantly improved based on feedback, demonstrating a sophisticated understanding of constructive criticism and a commitment to excellence. Revisions are thoughtfully and effectively implemented.

Proficient
3 Points

The game design is improved based on feedback, demonstrating a clear understanding of constructive criticism and a willingness to refine the design. Revisions are effectively implemented.

Developing
2 Points

The game design shows limited improvement based on feedback, suggesting a partial understanding of constructive criticism. Revisions are inconsistently implemented.

Beginning
1 Points

The game design shows minimal or no improvement based on feedback, indicating a lack of understanding or unwillingness to address constructive criticism. Revisions are poorly implemented or nonexistent.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning
Question 1

To what extent did your board game effectively teach the principles of the Utah Constitution, and how do you know?

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Question 2

What was the most challenging aspect of integrating math, science, and art into your board game, and how did you overcome it?

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Question 3

If you could redesign one aspect of your board game, what would it be and why?

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Question 4

How did your understanding of the Utah Constitution change as a result of this project?

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Question 5

Which civic virtue or principle of the Utah Constitution do you think is most important, and how did you represent it in your game?

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