Creating a Country

[MrHistory]

I am looking to create an end of the year project for my senior government class, in where they use everything we have learned throughout the year to create a fictional country from scratch. Has anyone ever heard of a lesson like this or have any ideas as to where to find some creative examples or tips?

[Chef Dave]

I did this when I was an elementary teacher with advanced 4th grade students.

Students were divided into groups. Each group worked together on certain projects and worked independently on others.

The group project included the formation of the government, creation of a national flag, creation of an island with various geographical features, a port, a capitol city, a rural town, and connecting highways.

Individual projects included: culture, history, holidays, national dress etc.

[jsfowler]

This sounds like a lot of fun and even though I am neither high school nor social studies a few ideas popped into my mind.

Create a name, flag, map, type of government, currency, motto, landforms, cultural events, etc. The final activity can be to draft a document (Dec. of Ind., Constitution, etc.)that addresses topics they have learned in your class.

I wish I knew more about the content of your class. This sounds like a fun, educational activity that will really get their minds working. Oh, another idea just popped in...once they create their country and they think they are finished have them draw a piece of paper from a bag that lists a major problem facing their country. They have to come up with a solution and present it to like the UN or something.

[MissTeach]

I used to do this activity when I taught English. The students loved it! I divided the class into 5 or 6 groups and had each group create a country. Besides many of the ideas already suggested, the students drew their country on a posterboard and labeled the towns and citities. They explained how each area lived and the economy of each area. I also had them mark on a world map where their country was located. Being middle schoolers, there was always a group that developed a strict set of rules as to who could move there and who couldn't. That always sparked a conversation about prejudice and I was always able to get the class talking about how boring a country would be if everyone was the same!