8th grade American History students at RCMS enjoyed a simulation on taxation during our colonization unit this fall. Students were randomly assigned roles such as: King/Queen, tax collectors, and colonists. Colonists were given “jobs” and based on that, a certain amount of beans in their cup to use to pay their taxes.
One of the tax collectors would announce to the class what the King’s declaration of the newest tax was and how many beans colonists were expected to pay. In addition to taxes similar to the Stamp Act and Tea Act, we added silly and relatable taxes based on how students were dressed or what they did for fun. Those who ran out of beans were sent to debtor’s prison.
The students were engaged and had fun. At the end of the simulation, students had a good idea of why “taxation without representation” was frowned upon in the colonies.
Hannah Laswell
Rockcastle County Middle School
Rockcastle County Schools
8th Grade
