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Lesson Plan Image

Peace Bridge Game

Canada and the United States have lived side by side in peace for over 200 years. Students will explore the relationship between these countries and design a game based on the "Peace Bridge" that connects Ontario and New York.

Lesson Plan

Supplies Needed

Gather all the supplies needed to bring your craft ideas to life! From paints and markers to glue and scissors, our crafts section has everything to spark creativity and make every project truly special.

  • Paper
  • Recycled Cardboard

Steps

  • Step 1

    The Peace Bridge spans from Fort Erie, Ontario in Canada to Buffalo, New York in the United States. It opened in 1927 and is operated and maintained by the binational Buffalo and Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority. Have students learn about the history of this bridge. Why do they suppose it's called the Peace Bridge? What dignitaries from which countries were at its dedication? What countries fought in the War of 1812 and why? What is the Treaty of Ghent? How long is the bridge? Approximately how many vehicles cross this bridge each year?

  • Step 2

    Have students form teams to design and create a game based on their research into Canada-US relations and the Peace Bridge. They can use recycled cardboard for the game board, a small recycled box for the customs booth, and unlined index cards or pieces of heavy paper for prompt cards. Use heavy paper and markers to create other features and characters for the game.

  • Step 3

    Students should create game cards that challenge players to answer questions about the countries' relationship, history, goods and services that cross the border, and other interesting facts. To play the game a player would need to answer a question correctly in order to cross over the bridge and continue playing the game.

  • Step 4

    Have each team test their game by playing a round among themselves. When they are satisfied with the objectives and the process, have teams swap and enjoy each other's games.

Standards

LA: Integrate information from several texts on the same topic in order to write or speak about the subject knowledgeably.

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.

VA: Use subjects, themes, and symbols that demonstrate knowledge of contexts, values, and aesthetics that communicate intended meaning in artworks.

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: 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.

LA: Report on a topic or text, tell a story, or recount an experience with appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details, speaking clearly at an understandable pace.

MATH: Convert among different-sized standard measurement units within a given measurement system (e.g., convert 5 cm to 0.05 m), and use these conversions in solving multi-step, real world problems.

SS: Demonstrate an ability to use correctly vocabulary associated with time such as past, present, future, and long ago; read and construct simple timelines; identify examples of change; and recognize examples of cause and effect relationships.

SS: Identify and describe factors that contribute to cooperation and cause disputes within and among groups and nations.

SS: Explore the role of technology in communication, transportation, information-processing, weapons development, or other areas as it contributes to or helps resolve conflicts.

SS: Identify and describe examples in which science and technology have changed the lives of people, such as in homemaking, childcare, work, transportation, and communication.

Adaptations

Have students bring their games to other classes. Ask them to give a brief presentation about their research on the US and Canada, and then explain how the game is played. They should remain in that classroom to help and advise players as needed.

There is also a Peace Bridge in Calgary, Alberta, Canada for pedestrian and bicycle traffic. It was designed by the Spanish Swiss architect and engineer Santiago Calatrava, who was also a sculptor and painter. Have students explore some of his architectural creations which incorporate many sculptural elements. Suggestions include Athens Olympic Park in Athens, Greece; the Quadracci Pavilion of the Milwaukee Art Museum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; the Museum of Tomorrow in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; and the NYC World Trade Center Transportation Hub (The Oculus) in New York, New York.