I have to say, the Urbanization Game is one of my favorite lessons of the year! This hands-on activity brings the Industrial Revolution to life like nothing else. We start in the peaceful year 1700, with students setting up a small village—complete with a river, bridge, church, and lots of trees. It’s a beautiful, pre-industrial scene that doesn’t last long!
As we fast-forward through the decades, students add coal mines, factories, tenements, and crowded streets. By 1850, their quiet village has transformed into a bustling, polluted industrial city. They see firsthand how urban growth changed everything, from living conditions to social structures.
Here’s why I love it:
- Students can see and feel the impact of urbanization.
- It opens up great discussions about how industrialization shaped society.
- It’s fun, interactive, and students come away with a deeper understanding.
Do you already do this activity? I would love to hear how you implement it in your classes!
Here are a few of the slides that I use to facilitate this game and student examples:
Example Slides and Student Work
