The Situation Room

Practicing the possibilities

While the rest of the world was calmly going about its business today, I am happy to report that my high school students bravely saved all of us here on planet Earth from a potential nuclear war. Isn’t that good news to hear these days?

We had mock lessons whereby they were in the situation room. One student was appointed president, and another was vice president. Then, of course, the president’s cabinet was present to help our two top officials pick a course of action to confront an aggressive North Korea firing off with their multiple nuclear tests.

After getting debriefed, just like the president would, the students discovered four options to promote the best outcome for the United States.
1) Act tough to deter North Korea
2) Impose more sanctions against North Korea or China
3) Launch a preventative attack on North Korea
4) Use diplomacy and negotiation

These were all real options and allowed students to experience the pressures and challenges of actual adult situations that elected officials might face. Each of these choices was presented with pros/cons along with some special notes.

I had been looking for interactive and exciting lessons online when I found the North Korea challenge at Classroom Toolkit.org. I have to say that I was absolutely amazed at the interest, involvement, enjoyment and the enlightenment that these young people took…