Location: Rocklin
Day & Time: Friday 10:00-12:00 (Once a month)
Grade: 7th-12th
Mentor: Frizzle Frizzle
Email: inspiredbyamg@gmail.com
Simulations: History In Action
History was never meant to be memorized from a worksheet; it was meant to be lived. In this immersive and interactive course, students will journey from the ancient world through the rise of early modern England by stepping directly into the civilizations, conflicts, discoveries, and turning points that shaped human history. Through large-scale simulations, role-playing experiences, collaborative challenges, and historical problem-solving, students will experience history as active participants rather than passive observers.
Guided by Master Jon and The Frizz, students will examine how geography, belief systems, leadership, innovation, trade, warfare, and cultural exchange influenced the development of societies across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Students will take on the roles of rulers, philosophers, explorers, merchants, inventors, diplomats, and everyday citizens as they navigate the challenges civilizations have faced throughout history.
Aligned with California high school History–Social Science standards and incorporating elements of communication, collaboration, critical thinking, creativity, and social-emotional learning, this course emphasizes historical inquiry, perspective-taking, civic understanding, and experiential learning. Students will build both academic knowledge and practical skills while developing a deeper understanding of how the past continues to shape the modern world.
Outcomes:
By the end of this course, students will:
analyze the rise, development, and interactions of major civilizations from ancient history through 1600AD England
practice historical thinking skills, including sourcing, interpretation, comparison, and cause-and-effect analysis
engage in collaborative decision-making, negotiations, debates, and strategic simulations
develop communication and leadership skills through role-playing and group activities
explore how geography, culture, religion, economics, and politics influence societies over time
strengthen creativity, adaptability, and problem-solving through immersive historical challenges
reflect on ethical questions, civic responsibility, and human experiences across cultures and eras
build confidence in public speaking, teamwork, and research-based argumentation
connect historical events and ideas to broader themes that continue to influence the world today
Activities:
Students will participate in a wide variety of hands-on and interactive learning experiences designed to make history dynamic and memorable. Activities may include civilization-building simulations, mock councils and assemblies, diplomatic negotiations, trade and economic strategy games, historical debates, survival scenarios, military strategy challenges, collaborative map and artifact analysis, and role-playing exercises based on historical sources and perspectives. Students will work both independently and in teams to solve problems, make decisions under pressure, defend positions using evidence, and experience the complexity of historical events through active participation. Reflection activities and guided discussions will help students connect their experiences within the simulations to broader historical themes.
Materials:
All required materials for the course will be supplied. Students should come prepared to participate actively, collaborate respectfully, think creatively, and engage fully in simulations and class activities.
Class Sessions
1st Semester:
September 25th
October 23rd
November 20th
December 18th
2nd Semester:
January 29th
February 26th
March 19th
April 23rd
“What is memorized is easily forgotten, what is understood is never forgotten.” ~Dr. Adler
All classes are full-year classes. Students enrolled in a Fall Semester class will automatically enroll for the Spring Semester in December to ensure their place in the class. Pricing is per semester.
