Social Studies Role Play

Eighth grade students recently participated in a role play in social studies, taking on the roles of Columbus, his men, the King and Queen of Spain, and the system of empire versus the Taino people. The task was to assess their specific positions, determine if they were guilty or not guilty, and then use the information from class handouts to either defend themselves or cast blame on their peers. This experiential learning activity effectively illustrates the complexity of historical narratives and underscores the importance of developing critical thinking skills, historical empathy, and a nuanced understanding of the multifaceted nature of history.

“I liked how we were organized in groups and how we all had turns to question the other groups. I think I learned it better because we were able to figure out who did what in the situation,” noted Drew.