Mixing Worlds

Game Designer / Creator

 * Created by Emily Poirier

Game Summary
You start out with either a list of fictional characters from reading class or a list of historical figures from history class—or both. The fictional characters should be from different worlds. For the most interesting results, the historical figures should be from different times.

Two names are selected at random. The teacher can decide whether you will pick two names from fictional characters alone, from historical figures alone, or one fictional character and one historical figure.

It is then the job of the players to come up with a plausible scenario in which the two characters interact. Players can work in pairs or small groups to create a scenario and then flesh it out. Most likely, the two chosen characters will work on a problem from one of the worlds of the characters. For example, imagine Abraham Lincoln interacting with Anne Frank about the struggle against the Nazis or interacting with Ender from Ender’s Game about ways to respond to the possibility of the next alien invasion.

These imaginative exercises help students internalize the issues of particular worlds/times and the character traits of particular historical figures/fictional characters. In so doing, students begin to be able to generalize the lessons of certain worlds/times to other world/times in order to see the similarities and differences.

Players / Moderators

 * Ages 8 – 12.
 * An entire class can play this game.
 * The teacher selects the characters/historical figures that will be part of the lists. The teacher also facilitates the group work to construct scenarios that intermix the issues and lessons from the various worlds/times.

Game Set-up and Construction

 * The teacher creates a list of fictional characters from either literature read in class or popular media experienced at home—or both. The teacher selects historical figures studied in class. The teacher writes down each fictional character and historical figure on a separate index card. The teacher places the fictional characters in one pile and the historical figures in another pile.


 * Index cards, one to write down each fictional character and historical figure.


 * The cost of a deck of index cards.

How to Play / Game Rules

 * 1) Teacher shuffles the fictional character pile and the historical figure pile.
 * 2) Teacher selects two cards: either (1) two fictional characters, (2) two historical figures, or (3) one fictional character and one historical figure.
 * 3) Teacher divides the group either into pairs or small groups.
 * 4) Each pair or small group works to create a scenario where the two characters/figures interact about the issues of their respective worlds.
 * 5) Each pair or group shares the scenario they created of how the interaction and dialog proceeded.

Templates / Diagrams

 * NA

Related Web Links

 * NA

Other Details
Playing word link will expand the vocabulary of the players, as well as improve their cognitive skills.