Titanic Social Stratification Simulation

Abandon Ship! Social Stratification Simulation Teacher Guide

Intro:

• This is a great class period activity to introduce and/or demonstrate the pervasiveness of social stratification.

Step by Step Instructions:

• Sort students into groups of 8. If a group has less than 8 than students may need to assume multiple roles

• Assign each student a role, and hand them the “handout” for their character. They will assume this role. Their objective is to secure a spot on the lifeboat.

• Give students a couple of minutes to read their handout and get familiar with their character.

• Assemble students in groups physically. Inform them they are to create a list of 5 members that will be granted access on the lifeboat. Under no circumstances will more than 5 members be allowed a spot- it would cause the raft to potentially sink.

• Give students a 15 minute timer to complete their list of 5. Make sure students know that they each need to share out to the group all of the details about their character. It is important that students base their decisions on the facts.

• After selections are made have students return to typical seats and go through the discussion questions together

• The slides provide a handful of reflection questions but feel free to use your own. I like to try to investigate what students chose not to share. For example, often the elementary school teacher opts not to share they are $89,000 in debt. This can start a great conversation around how societal standards invoke shame on those in difficult financial standing
  

Notes:

• I often offer a couple points extra credit, or a piece of candy, or some other kind of incentive to those that gain a spot on the boat. I recommend this to boost engagement and bring more passion to the activity.

• I try to not let students see the character sheets of other characters, to create a little “gamesmanship”

• Consider adding bullet points to characters to make them more complex before printing the sheets

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