Cast your vote, prepare a budget, or propose a new law with this unique game! Use Model Magic® to create a board game to explore how your country’s government works.

• 1.

  With a small group of your classmates, research information about your country’s government, such as the voting process, budget setting, or the procedures needed to pass new laws. Write a list of the steps, people, and regulations involved with Crayola Erasable Colored Pencils. As a group, invent a game with strategy and rules that incorporate your findings.

• 2.

  On poster board, use Crayola Washable Markers to design a game board. Add all aspects of the process to the game board path, cards, or other playing pieces. Be sure to include events that might interrupt the process and make the play more challenging, such as a filibuster or constitutional challenge.

• 3.

  Use white or colored Crayola Model Magic to sculpt game tokens and any die. If you use white modeling compound, knead color from washable markers into it or paint the pieces (see step 5). Mix colors for a marbled effect if you wish.

• 4.

  You may also want to sculpt other pieces, such as a government building, which would be part of the game. Air-dry the pieces.

• 5.

  If you used white Model Magic, cover your art area with newspaper. Paint the game pieces with Crayola Washable Paint and Paint Brushes. Air-dry the paint.

• 6.

  Play your game with classmates or your family. Think how much everyone will learn about the government process you researched!

Standards

• LA: Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension.
• LA: Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.
• LA: Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.
• LA: Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions with diverse partners on grade level topics and texts, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly.
• SS: Describe how people create places that reflect ideas, personality, culture, and wants and needs as they design homes, playgrounds, classrooms, and the like.
• SS: Explain the purpose of government.
• SS: Give examples of how government does or does not provide for the needs and wants of people, establish order and security, and manage conflict.
• VA: Intentionally take advantage of the qualities and characteristics of art media, techniques, and processes to enhance communication of experiences and ideas.
• VA: Select and use the qualities of structures and functions of art to improve communication of ideas.

Adaptations

• Working in small groups, students write rules to follow when playing their original government game. These can be hand-written or word processed.
• Arrange for a local leader to meet with the class to discuss how the local government is set up and run. Prior to the visit, students compose questions for the visitor. After the meeting, students post learning to a class blog.
• Students discuss the rules of their classroom or school. If students were to make up the school rules, what would they be? Students prioritize their concerns and write a proposed set of rules and guidelines for being a student in their school. Present these rules to the principal for comment and consideration.