It was brought to my attention that parents are curious about the World Peace Game. I apologize for not getting you this information sooner!
Last summer I went to a conference to learn more about the game and was hoping to get instructions and a game board. Unfortunately, the game can not be packed in a box with instructions! When I returned from the conference I began planning. There are many aspects of the game that it took me a long time to wrap my head around how it would work. I may have procrastinated a bit but I finally came through with some plans and we began playing this week!
The WPG is a hands-on political simulation that gives students experience in problem-solving, conflict resolution, and positive decision making. The goal of the game is to work through difficulties, conflict, and occasional sabotage to achieve world peace. The WPG intentionally immerses students in chaos, contradiction, and complexity. The game encourages students to slow down to problem-solve, and to think deeply to discover unexpected strategies and solutions. Be prepared for your child to be frustrated. It is an important part of the game! Students will be practicing their SEL skills as they play the WPG. To achieve world peace, each student will need to push him/herself to use empathy, self-awareness, other-awareness, relationship skills, and pro-social decision making. They will also need to be persistent and think flexibly, as well as be “comfortable with being uncomfortable”. The game is challenging, but the kids will rise to the occasion, and will achieve amazing, complex solutions.
You can find more information about WPG on their website, worldpeacegame.org. You can also watch a TED talk by WPG’s creator, John Hunter. Here is a link: www.ted.com/talks/john_hunter_on_the_world_peace_game .
Also, check out the photo gallery on my blog for short video clips and photos of the class in action!