Mission US is a set of multimedia interactive games, designed for kids in grades 5-8, that immerses them in U.S. history at the time of the American Revolution and the Civil War. Additional missions are planned for coming years.
In Mission 1, “For Crown or Colony,” students role play as Nat Wheeler, a printer’s apprentice in 1770 Boston. They encounter both Patriots and Loyalists, and when rising tensions result in the Boston Massacre, they must choose sides.
In Mission 2, “Flight to Freedom,” students play the role of Lucy, a 14-year-old slave in Kentucky. They must navigate her escape and journey to Ohio. In the process, they learn that life in the “free” North has its own dangers and difficulties. With the passage of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, will Lucy ever truly be free?
There is also a short quiz in game format to check students’ understanding of causes and events of these two periods. Teachers, there are accompanying educator guides with additional activities and links to resources, including primary resources.