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Integrating Educational
Software
Social Studies Grades 5-12 |
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Integrating Educational
Software
Social Studies Grades 5-12 |
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Click on a featured software title, or scroll down through all the reviews. |
| Title:
Decisions, Decisions: Building a Nation |
| Publisher: Tom Snyder |
| Grades: 5-10 |
| Platform: Win/Mac hybrid CD-ROM |
| NH Frameworks: Social Studies Std. 1, 5, 7, 16, 18 Language Arts Std. 3, 5, 6, 7 |
| Description:
"Building a Nation" is a simulation that exposes
students to the complexities of governing a newly independent nation.
Students role-play a general, an economist, a professor and a National
Independence Front deputy as they determine the best form of government,
develop an economy and create unity among diverse cultural groups.
Working in cooperative teams, students develop expository and persuasive writing skills, public speaking and debating skills as they learn these topics in history/social studies: types of government, role of constitutions, assimilation and national identity, European imperialism and colonization, African history, command vs. market economy, agricultural vs. industrial economies, urban vs. rural society and famine and its prevention. |
| Integration: |
| Works best with single classroom computer, teams of 4 students each or with classroom computer for each team. |
| Requires approx. 3 class periods for simulation |
| Guide includes all student handouts for simulation (decision worksheets, information sheets, maps, tables) along with additional lesson plans to create a full curriculum unit lasting several weeks (social studies, world history or current events) and assessment methods. |
| Title:
Decisions, Decisions: The Cold War |
| Publisher: Tom Snyder |
| Grades: 5-10 |
| Platform: Win/Mac hybrid CD-ROM |
| NH Frameworks: Social Studies Std. 1, 3, 16, 17, 18 Language Arts Std. 3, 5, 6, 7 |
| Description:
"The Cold War" is a simulation that illuminates the
history and issues of the cold war era, from foreign policy to major
military initiatives to ideological conflict. Students role-play a
secretary of state, a campaign manager, a chief of staff and a secretary
of defense as they deal with a dilemma: a strategic ally requests help
in quelling an internal rebellion, and the rival superpower supports the
rebels.
Working in cooperative teams, students develop expository and persuasive writing skills, public speaking and debating skills as they encounter these topics in history/social studies: U.S. foreign policy, communism, capitalism and democracy, the Korean and Vietnam wars, Central and South America, how nations choose and support allies, issues surrounding terrorism and political oppression, relations between major world powers, "Cold" vs. "Hot" wars and the effect of nuclear weapons on modern warfare and diplomacy. |
| Integration: |
| Works best with single classroom computer, teams of 4 students each or with classroom computer for each team. |
| Requires approx. 3 class periods for simulation |
| Guide includes all student handouts for simulation (decision worksheets, information sheets) along with additional lesson plans to create a full curriculum unit lasting several weeks (social studies or world history) and assessment methods. |
| Title:
Decisions, Decisions: The Constitution |
| Publisher: Tom Snyder |
| Grades: 5-10 |
| Platform: Win/Mac hybrid CD-ROM |
| NH Frameworks: Social Studies Std. 1, 2, 4, 16, 17 Language Arts Std. 3, 5, 6, 7 |
| Description:
"The Constitution" is a simulation that brings to life
the dynamics of the American Constitutional Convention and the
Constitution itself. Students role-play Sarah Ann Tory, Samuel Briggs,
Thomas Alexander and Betsy Morris as they deal with balance and
separation of power and self-government issues.
Working in cooperative teams, students develop expository and persuasive writing skills, public speaking and debating skills as they encounter checks & balances, the Great Compromise, slavery, federalists, the ratification process and the significance of the Bill of Rights. |
| Integration: |
| Works best with single classroom computer, teams of 4 students each or with classroom computer for each team. |
| Requires approx. 3 class periods for simulation |
| Guide includes all student handouts for simulation along with additional lesson plans and assessment methods. |
| Title:
Decisions, Decisions: The Environment |
| Publisher: Tom Snyder |
| Grades: 5-10 |
| Platform: Win/Mac hybrid CD-ROM |
| NH Frameworks: Social Studies Std. 1, 4, 5, 9 Science Std. 4 Language Arts Std. 3, 5, 6, 7 |
| Description:
"The Environment" is a simulation that introduces many
important science and social studies issues in the context of a local
pollution crisis. Students role-play a campaign manager, an economist,
an environmentalist, and an independent scientist as they deal with
people's relationships with nature, waste management, land use, water
& air pollution and toxic waste.
Working in cooperative teams, students develop expository and persuasive writing skills, public speaking and debating skills as they deal with these topics in science and social studies: incineration, recycling and landfills, causes of and treatments for water pollution, conservation vs. preservation, deforestation, the role of the government in achieving environmental quality, the economics of environmental action and issues of global warming and the greenhouse effect. |
| Integration: |
| Works best with single classroom computer, teams of 4 students each or with classroom computer for each team. |
| Requires approx. 3 class periods for simulation |
| Guide includes all student handouts for simulation (decision worksheets, information sheets) along with additional lesson plans to create a full curriculum unit lasting several weeks (social studies, science or current events) and assessment methods. |
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| Publisher: Tom Snyder | |||||||||||
| Grades: 5-10 | |||||||||||
| Platform: Win/Mac hybrid CD-ROM | |||||||||||
| NH Frameworks: Social Studies Std. 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 16, 17 | |||||||||||
| Description:
"On the Campaign Trail" is a simulation that introduces
contemporary domestic and foreign policy issues in the context of a
presidential election. Students role-play a pollster, a liberal, a
conservative and an independent as they grapple with political parties,
domestic, foreign and economic policies and campaign finance.
Working in cooperative teams, students reinforce critical thinking and social skills as they learn these topics in history/social studies: the Electoral College, the deficit, the national debt, foreign trade deficit, government regulation of business and industry, economic policy, national defense, government subsidies, national health care reform, special interest groups and political action committees. |
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| Integration: | |||||||||||
| Works best with single classroom computer, teams of 4 students each or with classroom computer for each team.and | |||||||||||
| Requires approx. 3 class periods for simulation | |||||||||||
| Guide includes all student handouts for simulation (decision worksheets, information sheets) along with additional lesson plans to create a full curriculum unit lasting several weeks (social studies or critical thinking) and assessment methods. | |||||||||||
| Title:
Decisions, Decisions: Prejudice |
| Publisher: Tom Snyder |
| Grades: 5-10 |
| Platform: Win/Mac hybrid CD-ROM |
| NH Frameworks: Social Studies Std. 1, 2, 4 Language Arts Std. 3, 5, 6, 7 |
| Description:
"Prejudice" is a simulation that introduces students to
important issues regarding prejudice and racism. Students role-play a
campaign manager, an historian, a lawyer and an activist as they
confront types of prejudice, forms of discrimination, peer pressure and
affirmative action.
Working in cooperative teams, students develop expository and persuasive writing skills, public speaking and debating skills as they deal with these contemporary topics: prejudice, racism, stereotypes, discrimination, hate crimes, cultural and ethnic awareness, and methods of prejudice reduction. |
| Integration: |
| Works best with single classroom computer, teams of 4 students each or with classroom computer for each team. |
| Requires approx. 3 class periods for simulation |
| Guide includes all student handouts for simulation (decision worksheets, information sheets) along with additional lesson plans to create a full curriculum unit lasting several weeks (social studies or critical thinking) and assessment methods. |
| Title:
Decisions, Decisions: Town Government |
| Publisher: Tom Snyder |
| Grades: 5-10 |
| Platform: Win/Mac hybrid CD-ROM |
| NH Frameworks: Social Studies Std. 1, 2, 4, 9 Language Arts Std. 3, 5, 6, 7 |
| Description:
"Town Government" is a simulation that exposes students
to the basics of local government in America as they encounter typical
town conflict--a local mining company wants to expand. Students
role-play four different residents at town meeting as they learn about
local government structure, civic responsibility and how much authority
rests in the hands of the mayor, government committees and residents.
Working in cooperative teams, students develop expository and persuasive writing skills, public speaking and debating skills as they deal with these local government topics: differences between local, state and federal governments, quorums and committees, rights and responsibilities of citizens, political structure and duties of local government, role of business in politics and significance of services like power, water and roads. |
| Integration: |
| Works best with single classroom computer, teams of 4 students each or with classroom computer for each team. |
| Requires approx. 3 class periods for simulation |
| Guide includes all student handouts for simulation (decision worksheets, information sheets) along with additional lesson plans to create a full curriculum unit lasting several weeks (social studies or government) and assessment methods. |
| Title:
Timeliner |
| Publisher: Tom Snyder |
| Grades: K-12 |
| Platform: Win/Mac hybrid CD-ROM or Mac/Win disk |
| NH Frameworks: Social Studies Std. 16, 17, 18 |
| Description:
Timeliner is a cross-curricular tool that lets students organize
data and create, edit, merge and print timelines. Four display modes are
available (banner, compact, list, table) and four different scales are
possible (standard, floating, geologic, custom). Graphics can be
imported and text is fully customizable.
Software comes with sample timelines. Optional data disks are available covering 17 different curriculum units. |
| Integration: |
| Single or multiple computer environment, depends on nature of assignment |
| Individual or groups of students, depends also on nature of assignment |
| Curriculum reinforcement or enrichment |
| Guide includes complete operation, lesson plans, student project worksheets and dozens of student activities across all curriculum areas, across all grades levels. |
| Title: The Oregon Trail, 4th Edition |
| Publisher: The Learning Company |
| Grades: 5-12 |
| Platform: Win CD-ROM |
| NH Frameworks: Social Studies Std. 10, 11, 17, Math Std. 1, Language Arts Std. 1, 5, 6 |
| Description: In this version of the ever popular Oregon Trail, students become trail blazers on their westward adventure. Decision-making and problem solving skills become important as they manage their supplies, organize their wagon party, and using guidebooks and maps, determined their best route. Authentic journals, maps and newspapers from the 1840s are included within the program. As expected, this enjoyable simulation includes plenty of dangers and challenges to keep things interesting. |
| Integration: |
| Single computer environment |
| Individual or group of students |
| Curriculum enrichment, free time |
| Guide includes complete operation along with helpful suggestions for game play. |