Peace Bridge Game

What two huge countries have lived side by side in peace for almost 200 years? Make a fun game to learn more about these good neighbors.

• 1.

  The world’s longest undefended border is 3,000 miles (4828 km) long. It lies between Canada and the United States. Because they are the world’s largest trading partners, many opportunities are available for passage between the two countries. The Peace Bridge is located near the center of downtown Buffalo, New York, and Fort Erie, Ontario, where it crosses the Niagara River. The bridge opened in 1927 to commemorate 100 years of peace between Canada and the United States. It is North America’s sixth busiest border. About $1 billion U.S. in trade crosses the bridge weekly. More than 5,000 commercial vehicles cross the bridge each day.

• 2.

  Learn more about peaceful relationships between countries and people. Discuss what attitudes and behaviors are necessary to maintain peace with neighbors, classmates, teammates, and siblings. Invent a game that shows what you know about the Peace Bridge, Canada, the United States, and good international relations. Here’s one suggestion for a board game with question cards. Use your own ideas to create a fun- and fact-filled game!

• 3.

  Choose a small, lidded box for a <strong>customs booth</strong>. Use Crayola® Scissors to cut white paper to fit around the box sides. Attach with Crayola School Glue. Air dry.

• 4.

  Use white Crayola Gel Markers on dark blue construction paper to make a large sign for the top of the booth: Government of Canada Customs Immigration and Government du Canada Dounes Immigration. Glue a strip of construction paper below the blue. Air dry.

• 5.

  Use Crayola Washable Markers to print Canada in dark blue. Draw a Canadian flag on the white strip. Glue the sign to the top of the booth. Below the sign, use Crayola Metallic FX Crayons to draw the aluminum seams and door of the booth. Color light blue d

• 6.

  In the same way, create a U.S. sign and flag for the other side of the booth. For the roof and overhang, glue black construction paper to the box lid. Keep the lid free to open and close. Air dry.

• 7.

  To make <em>game cards</em>, cut lined index cards in half. On the lined side, write a question about Canada or the United States. Questions might include official animals; names and numbers of provinces, territories, or states; national anthems; flags; n

• 8.

  To make the <em>game board</em>, choose a large piece of cardboard. Draw three game-card-size spaces in a row on white paper. Repeat. Cut out each row. Glue one row on the left and one on the right of the board. Air dry flat.

• 9.

  Label the middle space on one side, Facts About the United States and on the other side, Facts About Canada. Color the remaining spaces.

• 10.

  Tape blue, white, purple, and gray Gel Markers together so the tips are even. Press the markers over and over on dark construction paper to create macadam (asphalt). Glue the road to the center of your game board. Air dry flat.

• 11.

  Glue the customs booth in the middle of the roadway. Dry thoroughly. Use markers and Crayola Washable Markers on oaktag or recycled file folders to draw customs workers in their dark blue uniforms and a drug-sniffing dog on a leash. Add tabs and glue in p

• 12.

  To play, two players face each other. Shuffle U.S. and Canada question cards and stack them face down in their designated spaces. Players take turns asking each other questions from first one stack, then the other. If a player answers a question correctly

Benefits

• Students research and learn interesting facts about the United States and Canada.
• Students participate in discussions regarding peaceful personal and political relationships.
• Students design and play a game to review their knowledge about the United States and Canada.

Adaptations

• When assessing learning, use the students’ own questions as test questions. Students prepare by playing several rounds of game.
• For younger children, set up a pretend customs booth at the door to your classroom. Students check in with their passports (homework), birth certificates (notes from parents), proof of residency (signed papers, lunch choices). Students take turns staffing
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