AgentSheets in the Social Studies Curriculum

In this document, John Zola introduces teachers to eight Social Studies AgentSheets simulations, created by High School students in grades 9-12. He introduces teachers to using already-created AgentSheets simulations in the Social Studies classroom with five classroom activities, including goals & objectives, materials, time estimates, and in some cases, activity worksheets.

Teachers are encouraged to read the introductory materials for a description (and links to) the simulations. Additionally, Zola includes a reference to the Social Education article he coauthored with Andri Ioannidou of AgentSheets, Inc., about the development of these simulations in his classroom at New Vista High School.

Activities:

1. An Introduction to La Raza and the UFW Grape Boycott to introduce boycotts as a means of social protest.
2. Connecting the Impact of the Automobile and Rise of the Suburbs Simulations to study suburban growth and sprawl.
3. Comparing the Montgomery Bus Boycott and United Farm Workers Boycott to compare key elements of two very different boycotts.
4. Why Might Protests Become Violent to examine protest marches in the context of the Protest Project and Kent State Shooting simulations.
5. Labor Strikes to learn about striking from the Ludlow Mine Massacre and the Flint Sit-Down Strike simulations.