Download SS10 Civic Mirror Unit

BACKGROUND FACTS

* Social Studies 11 is Massive
In British Columbia, students are not required to take a social studies course in Gr. 12. As a result, the Social Studies 11 is massive in its scope so as to ensure students graduate with a solid understanding of what it means to be Canadian.

* As a Result, It’s Challenging to Teach
Given the size of SS11, and the fact that it is provincially examinable, teaching all of the content and concepts in a way that is meaningful is a challenge to say the least.

* Plus There are Added Difficulties
There is no remedial version of SS11, unlike the English, Math, and Science curricular strands (and no, Civics 11 is just as difficult as SS11); consequently, teaching this high-level course to a diverse range of learners – all of who have to write its provincial exam – is even more challenging, if not downright stressful.

* Also, the SS11 Content is Complex and Abstract
The content and concepts taught in SS11 are abstract and very complex. A case could easily be made that students require a fundamental understanding of Canadian politics, basic economics, and “citizenship” in order to fully grasp many of the SS11 learning outcomes (e.g. the rise of fascism in the 1920s due to economic hardship, the importance and significance of the human rights movement, or the global decision making process in light of resource shortages and overpopulation).

* Prior Courses Don’t Help Develop Requisite Knowledge for SS11
The current social studies curriculum in British Columbia focuses on history from Gr. 7 -10 and, consequently, do not provide students with enough opportunities to develop the requisite knowledge to fully grasp SS11’s high-level concepts given the teaching and learning circumstances outlined above.

PURPOSE OF THE CIVIC MIRROR IN SOCIAL STUDIES 10

* What is the Civic Mirror?
The Civic Mirror is a simulation-based program that turns classrooms into countries and students into citizens, providing students with opportunities to experientially learn about law, government, economics, and responsible citizenship. This curricular proposal suggests that SS10 teachers condense their existing scope and sequences by 5 weeks in order to work through the Civic Mirror program so that their students may better understand the concepts taught in SS11.

* Experiential Understanding = Better Learning Afterward
By the end of the unit students will have an experiential understanding of the purpose and functionality of law, government, and the economy, which will help them better grasp the learning outcomes in SS10 (making up for the lost calendar time) and SS11. In fact, if this became a department-wide social studies initiative, the SS11 Government unit could be covered in an opening review in a week or so, freeing up huge portions of calendar time to cover the monster history unit and the human geography unit.

Worth the Investment in Time
In sum, using the Civic Mirror in SS10 will help students better understand and appreciate everything else they are required to learn about nations, governments, laws, economies, and citizenship in SS10 and SS11. Yes, it may take up a lot of time in Gr. 10, but if you view SS10 and SS11 as one continuous course instead of two separate ones, it’s well worth the investment.

< <   DOWNLOAD BC’S SOCIAL STUDIES 10 + CIVIC MIRROR UNIT OVERVIEW > >

The citizens of  Sauga City began discussions about the ownership of their Energy/Industry (E/I) hex early in the morning on June 14, 2010, the property that powers the entire Civic Mirror economy. Sauga City is grade 10 class from Gordon Graydon Memorial Secondary in   Mississauga, Ontario, Canada and lead fearlessly by instructor Kirsten Anthon.   The Government began the discussion with their post:

“Should the Government take full responsibility for the E/I hex in the year 2001, or a private citizen?

This is NOT a Referendum, just a census. The Government currently has no plans to take the E/I hex from its owner, but now is the time to voice your opinion if you feel that we should.”

Stephen G responded first,”

“The government needs to control the EI hex. We let a private citizen control it and it was handled irresponsibly with the majority of people losing someone in their family due to the poor handling of the EI hex.”

Gurman responded,

“I believe that the government already took many units from the e/i, the deaths were also actually cause of the government. They could have powered other things than the security. That would have meant 7 less deaths.”

This is a difficult decision for any country to make.  Citizens feel they should trust their government but can the private sector handle these utilities, and the power that comes with them, better?

On Tuesday May 11, The Civic Mirror Trenches posted an article about Ze Empire!’s,a grade 11 Civics class lead by instructor Paul Chafee at Heritage Woods Secondary School in Port Moody, BC, economic hardships.  Citizen Jason.K felt cheated when the government forced him to sell his hex for less then market value.  The government argued back that they needed to buy the hexs cheaply to enable them to give units away for free, creating a national system.  Arguments ensued, a trade embargo was threatened, and citizens feared the lack of trade would cause casualities throughout the country.  Administrator Nathan.R commented on the embargo:

“Spreading your ideals in the means of killing others to prove a point. Perhaps a more diplomastic approach is needed rather than telling your fellow citizens to stop trading with the government causing more than 25 deaths in the country. If you calculate how many necessities the government holds, you have I think 13 food units, and 12 shelters. By refusing to trade with the government will condemn 25 people to death. Please everyone, by following a terrorist, it only makes a more violent conflict.”

Citizen Jason.K responded to the Administrator’s comments,

 ”The only reason we resemble a terrorist is only because of the government. I was a normal citzens untill the government threatend me to sell my develpoing hex for a price to nothing. Since i refuesed the government refuesed to trade. This is worst then resesmbling terrorism, it is terroism. By making me homeless, foodless, and giving me non of these, the government is going to take over everyone by threathening. Citizens who are satisfied with this system such as Kim, beware that one wrong step, government will turn on you.”

Frustrated Citizen Ayrton.S added to the argument,

” But what i meant was that sure its great right now but soon enough things will go down hill and lives will be lost and then i will ask you was it worth all the lives that were lost? couldn’t this have been avoided if you had just restored our country into a proper democracy? and then what can you say?”

In response to messages posted between Citizen AdamO and Citizen Jason.L, Administrator Nathan.R posted,

“It’s obvious now of your plans and that you are conspiring with Jason who owns the hex turning into an EI one. This is morally wrong and illegal, if you would only see the governments point of view, the argument would be resolved. Most people agree that since we are doing everything in our power to ensure the country succeeds, why stop that? It only prevents/slows the progression of this country in the name of good and you should stop before things get out of hand.”

After some more back and forth and namcalling, Citizen Allison.K stepped in as a mediator of sorts,

“okay I uderstand where everyone is coming from but I find that we need to calm down and well talk like civil human being. The government should know that they have lost some of the classes trust and should work to earn that back.

They lost this trust either due to some of the bills they have passed or just they way they came to power and are not having the citizens involved when it comes to the bills. Also (in my opion) they should explain any of the new bills or things they do so that we know why instead of just asuming that what they are doing is for their own personal gain.”

The argument ensues, pulling in more citizens to comment.  When one citizen comments that the CM is just a game, other citizens jump to remind the class that the game is meant to simulate real life and thus taken seriously.  Interestingly, a citizen from another country, Citizen Gurkanwar of Supermanistan, joins into the debate to add his or her two cents,

“i know that as a foreigner, i should just keep out of other’s businesses, but this debate seems to be quite powerful. just to clear things up here (PS. i do not know where you guys are from, who you people are, and who is the assumed good guy/bad guy, therefore all my opinions will be unbiased) our history teacher had said that communism/dictatorship at its fullest is actually good… but the thing is it has yet to bloom to its fullest, therefore what you see is only the negative part of it, not the good effects (because those are the parts that are delayed) and also, not to burst any bubbles here, but either someone here is trying to achieve their hidden agenda, or the gov’t is pretty darn smart and well planned out. anyways, i would personally recommend that Aryton, stand strong on your point but instead of opposing the gov’t, go with the flow for a while, try and see what they’re really like, because the way it sounds, for now, it seems that the gov’t is doing what it can to stabilize the economy. why deal with 2 issues at once (stabilizing the country and trying to deal with the gov’t) when you can deal with them one by one (first lets stabilize the country and then when thats out of the way lets deal with the gov’t) and if they do something that prevents the stabilization then you can hold that against them as a proof of their corruption and you will be able to get some support from your fellow citizens. again, i do not know anyone from your classroom, i do not know where you guys are from, therefore i am not supporting either side (neither do i have a reason to do so). the debate seemed to be quite intriguing to me therefore i decided to drop off my personal opinion. and again, i suggest your country should worry about the matter at hand before worrying about the matters you might have to deal with in the future. also, if all goes well and they ARE a communist/dictatorship party (again, i am not saying they are, just saying IF they are) then who knows, maybe they turn out to be the ones that can bloom the effects of communism/dictatorship to its fullest”

When the postings peter out, there is not real agreement but both sides have certainly been able to vent their frustrations.  Has your country had any heated debates?  Reply to this post or send us an email so we can share your story with the Civic Mirror Community!

Civic Mirror Country Ze Empire! citizens, a grade 11 Civics class lead by instructor Paul Chafee at Heritage Woods Secondary School in Port Moody, BC, are facing what some see as an Economic Crisis and others understand as good management.  The discussion began with Citizen Jason.K’s posting:

“This is outragous situation where every unit is free. History is repeating citizens, we have gone into dictatorship where it is exactly same as when Hitler ruled. We have Hitelr on our hands people, it’s time to act out! Take Down the Government! This event continues on and i can not watch and sit back, i am acting out as a citizen that this is ridiculous. When dictatorship came in act, people stayed strong. Now, people are falling under a influence that the government will solve everything.  The corrupted government munipulated everyone and changed everyone.  i am refusing to knee down to government’s corrupted and ridiculous laws.
Ladies and gentlemen, who are in need to speak. Act now”

Free Units!  NathanR. responded to the Hitler comment,

“Hitler was a facist, he beleived in economic freedom which is exactly the opposite of what type of government we have now. Units are free for the sake of preventing starvation and homelessness in Ze Empire and if you cant comprehend that, then so be it. Ignorance is the root of all evils in my opinion, knowledge yourself on the situation before making rash accusation that can ruin and slow the political process down.”

Citizens who seem to be prospering under this system responded in kind,
KimB.:

“Last year I had a family member die. Thats not going to happen this year because the government made it so I could get everything I needed. Personally I think their doing a great job!”

Ze Empire Administrator Mark.P took offense to comments that his government was corrupt,

“How are we forceful? We made you an offer to buy your power plant at a very reasonable price, you denied. So we explained the situation, which was that we needed that power plant built for next year so less people would die. You then started ignoring us and playing the “I CAN’T HEAR YOU GAME” like a two year old would. So out only other option was to basically tell you to give it to us. And you then refused to accept our authority.

I think this was a logical line of action for us to take. And that you’re exaggerating the situation. A corrupt government would be taking all the gain for itself and ignoring the citizens. This year less citizens have died, and most of the one’s who did are part of this government… aka. We put the country before ourselves, which I think you’ll find is the exact opposite of corrupt”

Citizen Ayrton.S responded in agreement with the orginal post,

“With our current Government this Country is no longer ours its theirs to run however they want to. NOT the way the people want to once again even with them bringing back what they claim is “THE OLD HOUSE OF COMMONS” it doesn’t matter because we AS CITIZENS STILL DON’T HAVE ANY RIGHT TO VOTE IN MATTERS WITHIN THE GOVERNMENT. our new house of commons is nothing but a trick to make you ALL think that this is a fair government! its not like the last one were we can decide which party is the majority and which party is the MINORITY!!!!!!!!!
ONCE AGAIN YOU ALL SHOULD BE OUTRAGED!!!!!!”

A few back and forth arguments later (including calling one another terrorists) and it became clear that Jason.K felt the government refused to pay a fair price for his power plant hex leaving him destitute.   In response, the government claimed his price of $5000 was not a fair price for the underdeveloped hex but that they would have given Jason.K food units but other citizens used too many of them.  A trade embargo is threatened which would cut off units from many citizens.  Will the citizens be able to work things out or will a trade embargo cause further death within the country?

Tropijians, a country under the oversight of Instructor Warren Bezuidenhout at Brentwood Academy in Brentwood, Tennessee,  are in the midst of national elections. Perhaps for the first time in Civic Mirror history, Tropjians are using text messaging to vote for a new leader.   According to the poll sent to The Civic Mirror Trenches, Madison and Amanda are leadingby 12%.  

 If you are an instructor or citizen and are using new formats or creating cool new stories be sure to drop us a line so we can share them with the Civic Mirror Community!

Shorewood High School in Shoreline, WA

The Civic Mirror is a government and economics simulation that turns classrooms into countries and students into citizens. It can be used to ignite student interest in a variety of courses and, to date, the learning dividends have been amazing!

Join Regan Ross, creator of the Civic Mirror education program, for a half-day training in-service on May 15th at Shorewood High School and learn the following:

1. How to use the Civic Mirror by playing it with other teachers,
   
2. How it transforms teaching and learning, both reducing teacher work-load and increasing student engagement, and
3. How to plan a unit of study around the program that could prepare students for one of several CBAs.

ESD Clock Hours Available! 
Send Us a Message to Reserve Your Seat (click here)

click to view workshop location

DETAILS

When? Saturday, May 15th, 9:00AM to 1:00PM

Where? Shorewood High School, 17300 Fremont Ave N Shoreline 98133

Cost? Workshop free! Civic Mirror Teacher Manuals will be offered at a workshop special price. Helpful, hands-on instructional materials will be provided.

*      *      *

In what seems to be a Civic Mirror first, the country Dinoland, a Ninth Grade English class from Mountlake Terrace High School has declared war. On Friday Febuary 5, 2010, the Dinoland government made this declaration:

“Attention, citizens of Dinoland and the people of the NFPC and Graceland! Dinoland, during today’s government event, declared war on the NFPC and Graceland. This is to root out corruption and immorality in their said governments and to prove Dinoland’s might. We may be small, we may be poor, but we are a country of faithful citizens and good human beings, and we ARE mighty enough to clean up the wrongs of those countries around us.”

Stunned by this declaration, Citizen VincentM responded,

“So our dinoland has voted (5/5 for house and 3/3 for senators I may add) to go to war eh? Well, as a citizen of dinoland, I want to know why?!?! What purpose dose it serve? I know that the answer was corruption in the two countries, but if the problem is corruption, then were is it, show me evidence! If you, the government, can’t tell me why, then you are telling me that you voted on something for no reason!?!? I want answers, and good answers at that not “for fun”! Also, if you can’t give me a satisfy answer, then the government don’t care about what laws it pass, then that’s all the more respond not to have a dictatorship. Respond to this as soon as possible!”

Certainly there is, at the very least, great unrest between the citizens within these Global Powers. Members of the Dinoland Government responded publicly,

“Vince, our sources within Graceland have insider information on a corrupt congressperson who keeps messing stuff up. And there is a grudge between certain members of our gov’t and certain members of the NFPC. We do too care about the laws we pass- every one of them benefits the people, which you would realize if you actually read them. And the dictatorship idea is dead. And about that: one person doesn’t necessarily represent a whole organization, and vice versa.”

Not easily persuaded Citizen Vincent replied,

“Government, if your source of corruption was a guy on there government messing things up, everyone has a person messing up things! This guy just got elected, and he is probable working on his hidden agenda, and it is there problem, not ours! How annoying is it, to declare war, FOR THE MISTAKES OF ONE PERSON!!! It there problem, It them who should solve it!
“…there is a grudge between certain members of our gov’t and certain members of the NFPC…” So what? You don’t need to wage war in order to settle this, why not does something more logical, like find out why you have a dispute, and come up with a solution….
“…the dictatorship idea is dead. And about that: one person doesn’t necessarily represent a whole organization, and vice versa.” Thank you for ending that idea and everyone who thinks that dictatorship is a good idea; well, how? How is this a good idea, I want to know? It best to have every man and every women represent them self. Personally, I think we should not have a government at all, just the people, but this is the word of one person, and the government would never vote for this, who wants to lose power.
Disclaimer: all quotes are from the government, which I am not part of, and are only used to support some of my points.”

While Vincent and memebers of the government/citizens of Dinoland verbally duke it out, the readers of the forum may have been caught off guard by Senator BrennanD of Graceland,

“Hello I am a Citizen of Graceland and I would like to simply open up discussion between our two country’s I would like it if a representative of your country (I would prefer adam) would meet me in Mr.Nimans classroom after school when it is convenient. I would also like to invite Vincent since he seems to also have a opposing opinion on this war as well. I will be in Nimans (Instructor Ryan Niman) class both before and after school if anyone would like to discuss this matter further. Looking forward to a lively discussion.”

The offered meeting to determine peace is accepted by Citizen VincentM in his reply,

I would be honred to meet represents’ from Graceland, however, pleus don’t bring Adam. I will come myself, you may choose who the other person is. If Thursday, February 25, 2010 before or during (depending how long it goes) tutorial. If you and another (preferable your president) where to come, we can work out a deal. My land’s president is Torn, FYI. Please respond so that we can put this whole matter behind us, because this is pointless”

Will the countries go to “war?” How is war fought in the Civic Mirror? What will the consequences of this meeting be and can these countries put their differences behind them? We will have to wait and see…