This simulation game immerses 4th grade students in Idaho history by having them roleplay as mountain men in the Idaho wilderness in the 1800s. Students will work in small groups to trap beavers, hunt food, and survive together over the course of 3 weeks of game play in the computer lab using Oregon Trail and Second Life. The goal is for students to learn about mountain men, Idaho history and geography, while building teamwork skills and having fun.
3. Basic OverviewBasic Overview
•Students will be playing as a mountain man in IdahoStudents will be playing as a mountain man in Idaho
•They will be working together in small groups to trap beaver, hunt food, andThey will be working together in small groups to trap beaver, hunt food, and
survive the wilderness.survive the wilderness.
•At the end Students meet at the rendezvous to sell and trade their beaver pelts.At the end Students meet at the rendezvous to sell and trade their beaver pelts.
4. GoalsGoals
•Learn about mountain menLearn about mountain men
•Be excited about Idaho HistoryBe excited about Idaho History
•Learn more about the geography of IdahoLearn more about the geography of Idaho
•Use teamworkUse teamwork
•Have FunHave Fun
6. Getting StartedGetting Started
•Students will research mountain menStudents will research mountain men
•Each student will write a background story aboutEach student will write a background story about
himself/herselfhimself/herself
7. Computer LabComputer Lab
•Game play will take place in the school’s computer labGame play will take place in the school’s computer lab
•3 times a week, 30-45 minutes a session, for 3 weeks3 times a week, 30-45 minutes a session, for 3 weeks
8. First Time OnFirst Time On
•Students will create their avatar and assign differentStudents will create their avatar and assign different
ratingsratings
•Students will choose what type of mountain man theyStudents will choose what type of mountain man they
want to be (independent, work for a company, ownedwant to be (independent, work for a company, owned
by a company)by a company)
•Students will choose their personal goal for the gameStudents will choose their personal goal for the game
(trap the most beavers, make the most money, become(trap the most beavers, make the most money, become
the most skilled mountain man, survive)the most skilled mountain man, survive)
10. Game PlayGame Play
•Students will be randomly put into small groups of 3-5Students will be randomly put into small groups of 3-5
people.people.
•At the beginning of each game session, groupAt the beginning of each game session, group
members will formulate a game plan for that daymembers will formulate a game plan for that day
•Players will then go out and trap beaver, hunt, gatherPlayers will then go out and trap beaver, hunt, gather
roots and berries, explore, guard the camp, etc.roots and berries, explore, guard the camp, etc.
11. RendezvousRendezvous
•The rendezvous will be held on the last session of theThe rendezvous will be held on the last session of the
playing the gameplaying the game
•All of the players will either try and sell their furs forAll of the players will either try and sell their furs for
money, or trade for supplies, depending on what theirmoney, or trade for supplies, depending on what their
goal for the game wasgoal for the game was
