Hobbies And Interests
Bill Of Rights Games
Players try to answer Constitution questions correctly and as fast as possible in "The Bill of Rights Match," accessible at Texas Law. After selecting "Elementary" or "Secondary" levels, players use their knowledge of the Bill of Rights to answer "Yes" or "No" questions. Wrong answers cost players 1 minute on the clock. Players receive a certificate displaying their final time at the end of the game.
The official national computer has crashed, leaving players to help rebuild the Bill of Rights document in "Restore the Bill of Rights," found at National Constitution Center. In this game, players click on areas of Freeville and choose the correct freedom or right represented in pictures.
Classroom Games
Students try to prove why certain actions are unconstitutional in "The U.S. Constitution Power Grab Game." After distributing copies of the Constitution to all students, students divide into Executive, Legislative and Judicial government branches. The instructor assigns each branch an unconstitutional "power grab" in each round. Examples of power grabs would include the president deciding to run for a third term or courts ruling that income tax is illegal and that people do not have to pay it.
With 2 minutes on the clock, the other two branches search for evidence. Students yell "check" when they think they have found the article, section and clause supporting the fact that the power grab is unconstitutional. If correct, that student's branch receives 10 points. If none of the remaining branches answer correctly thereafter, the power-grabbing branch receives 5 points. The team with the most points after a predetermined number of rounds wins.
Constitutional Convention Games
Players represent one of 12 states that attended the Constitutional Convention (Rhode Island boycotted the convention) and vote on a variety of issues at "The Constitutional Convention of 1787," accessible at Sunnyland Civics Games. When deciding what shape the three government branches will take, players should keep in mind what their chosen state prefers and wants to accomplish in Philadelphia. Delegates help players vote on issues in "Madison's Notes Are Missing," found at the Bill of Rights Institute. At the Constitutional Convention, players listen to delegates' thoughts on relevant subjects and then vote on the matter themselves. Topics include determining the basis for taxation and representation, how to address slavery, and how to choose the Executive and Legislative branches. After voting, players read what actually transpired at the convention.
Miscellaneous Games
Excerpts from the U.S. Constitution need a home in "Celebrate the Constitution," found at Scholastic. Players drag excerpts to the document where they belong, whether "Preamble," "Articles I-VII," "Bill of Rights" or "Additional Amendments." Different excerpts appear each time players begin a new game. Players take a quiz to determine which founding father they are most like in "Which Founder Are You?" accessible at National Constitution Center. After answering 11 questions, players discover which founder their personality most resembles and learn more about that founder.