American Revolution Simulation

American Revolution Simulation

The 7th grade social studies students have been learning about the American Revolutionary War.  We did a classroom simulation to help the students make connections with the things they are learning and to visualize some of the battles.  The students were divided into groups of Patriots and British.  Using paper figures, a ramp, and marbles, the students fought a series of battles. These battles included Long Island, Princeton, Fort Edward, Cornwallis, Saratoga, Vincennes, and Yorktown. The side that won the most battles was the winner of the American Revolution.  Of course the Patriots won.  With this simulation we learned that after the first couple disastrous battles, the Patriots learned to break all established rules of warfare.  They learned to use resources to their advantage and to make up strategies as they went.  They did not have hundreds of years of military tradition telling them what to do like the British did, but through creativity and resourcefulness they were able to beat the British.  This simulation was fun and also helped to illustrate how the Patriots were able to gain their independence from Britain.