We did a simulation of Ancient Mesopotamia in a humanities class.
We divided into 5 groups. Our simulation was about to trade and make the richest society. We can trade materials with other groups. On the other hand, we have a secret mission. The secret mission was to make a catapult with all material that we trade and have. We also have jobs in each group. Jobs are building an architecture, making laws, making written language, and trade. When we are trading we must use our written language, we can’t talk and use our body. When we built a catapult, society wins.
During the activity, I had a trade job with another society. I used our written language to trade the materials that we don’t have, such as tapes and a plastic spoon. I didn’t use any talking with the other society member. It was a little difficult when we are not talking. However, I easily got the materials from Emily Cai’s group, because they had what we needed, and their group had what our society needed.
As a group, we divided the work easily by Jaslyn. She asked us what our society member liked. Our group member all most got what they wanted, for example, Bryan and Emily oh got the making laws, Judy got the architecture, Jaslyn got the written language, and I got the trade. We were all satisfied with the job we got.
Our biggest accomplishment was communication and collaboration. We communicate and discuss how we are going to do to these jobs. Even though the making laws group members were Emily and Bryan, we worked together to make as many ideas as we can, we collaborated well. So, we can make laws quickly than other society. Also, even though Jaslyn’s job was making written language to trade, our society members helped Jaslyn to gather ideas. Because gathering ideas I can more quickly get in to trade circle.
Our weakest point as a civilization was making laws. We quickly made laws by collaboration but there was a little problem. It was there were so many ideas that are the same. For example, I violence law but Bryan wrote violence already in the sheet of paper. So I need to think another idea but when I got another new idea, I saw Emily already wrote that idea, too. I think we had not enough interesting ideas that are really common.
If I could do this activity again, I would change the making an architecture to making wearing. I think making clothes is more interesting than making architecture. Also maybe give each table fewer materials than this time, because I think it will be challenging and fun.