Jamestown Survives board game

“My students were enthralled with this game and it really helped seal their understanding.”

Jamestown was the first English foothold in North America, and the first colonists had a very rough go of it. In fact, during the “Starving Time” winter of 1609-1610, nearly 90% of the colonists perished.

This simple yet highly engaging board game is designed to entertain and teach students about the hardships and dangers faced by the Jamestown colonists during the first years of the colony’s existence, and how they ultimately overcame those obstacles. Players battle starvation, disease, Indian attacks, and bad luck to try and survive until 1623. As they do so, they are required to read information cards about the colony, reinforcing learning while they have fun.

Students play against each other in small groups of 4-5 students. The game is simple to set up, instruct and play, and students immediately become engaged in competing with each other to become the first to survive. Be prepared for noise!

Materials include: * instructions * game board * 24 play cards

Materials are provided as word documents and PDFs in one zip file.

You will need to provide a die and game markers for each group playing the game, and there is some setup time (about 30 minutes) in preparing the game board and the play cards for each group. I’ve played this game in my 8th grade class for years, and it never fails to be a big hit.

Created by Cliff Baker- Visit his Ye Olde History Emporium