Lauren Cortesi's Profile

I did a simulation with my students for the Revolutionary War called The King's M&M's. Basically, students drew cards for roles (King, 2 Parliament member, 2 tax collectors, everyone else were colonists). Each colonist was given a small cup of M&M's. I made up tax cards on index cards before the simulation began then the parliament drew a tax card and handed it to the king. The king read the tax aloud, and the tax collectors went around to the colonists to collect. Keep in mind, the students had no control over what was taxed. I put in things like, "blue eyes=3 M&Ms", "glasses=2 M&Ms," etc. After all the taxes were collected, the tax collectors took their share, gave Parliament their share, and gave the rest to the king. It was great because the kids were really able to see why taxation without representation became such a hot-button issue. I had kids hiding candy or trying to refuse to pay up. Of course, they always ended up paying.



After the simulation, we talked about how they felt. The king and parliament were generally happy (lots of candy for no work). The colonists were angry (I gave them extra candy to make them feel better later), and the tax collectors were generally happy. We also discussed how it would have been different had they had a say in what was taxed and for how much. Their insights were amazing, and they actually went home and talked to their parents about it. At the end of the year, that activity always came up as one of their favorites.



Oh, we also made timelines on adding machine tape, read the book Johnny Tremain, and watched the movie. I'll have to look up the rest of activities. They are packed away. I've taught second grade for the last 3 years, but I'm moving back up to the older ones. (I get to teach the Revolutionary War again. YEA!)



Good luck and have fun. I think the Rev. War is the best unit of all grade levels.