South Callaway students study history by creating board games

"The Life of JFK" board game creators Devin Colbert-Grimes, left, Jordon Renner, Kyle Wetherell and Dylan Formantes get a thumbs-up on their creative efforts from parent Craig Somerville, right, during South Callaway Middle School History Con 17.
"The Life of JFK" board game creators Devin Colbert-Grimes, left, Jordon Renner, Kyle Wetherell and Dylan Formantes get a thumbs-up on their creative efforts from parent Craig Somerville, right, during South Callaway Middle School History Con 17.

MOKANE, Mo. - Students in Chad Hecktor's 8th grade Social Studies class were celebrating Thursday.

The South Callaway students completed their most recent project-based learning unit by inviting other students, teachers, parents and community members to play history-based board games they invented.

Hecktor asked his students how they would teach everyday Americans about a specific era or event in US History. Deciding to entertain to inform, the students set about creating board games rich with detail, drama and period-specific rules to convey the historical facts about their topics.

This is the second year of History Con, and Hecktor said it has added rigor in more than just the history lesson.

"This is great opportunity for student to develop their ability to convey information, to transfer knowledge," Hecktor said. "Not only that, but it allows them to practice working within a group dynamic. They learn how to get along and present ideas so that others will be willing to listen."

The history students weren't the only ones turning the school day on its ear, as the district scheduled an early release to allow for Spring Parent-Teacher Conferences in the afternoon and evening Thursday.

Visitors walking through the cafeteria in the morning encountered band students leading their own small-ensemble practices for the upcoming contest and concert season. Down the hallway, art students painted motivational messages on interior walls using techniques practiced in class.

Principal Gary Bonsall said he encourages teachers to schedule activities such as these on early release days.

"It's a good time to have activities that would be harder to fit into the regular daily schedule," he said. "It's especially good for the ones that involve more than one grade level. This way the entire middle school benefits."