Flimibuff

(Flimibuff is not totally my lesson (though I've used it before).  I 
had downloaded that file a while back from ERIC or some other source.)  

Although I think other students would enjoy the project and some classes 
could be organized enough to complete it successfully, I limit it to the honors class.

     The results are different every year, depending on the interests and talents
of the class. One class made dresses out of green plastic garbage bags, another 
class based their entire society (map, currency, etc.) on Hershey's kisses. Last 
year's class used the computer lab to draw maps. The year before, a group used 
Sim Earth and Sim City on the computer. 

     Through the project, the students learn about teamwork and responsibility while
considering the concept of utopia. They also see how difficult it is to agree 
about the characteristics of a perfect world. Because they write a constitution, 
draw a map and flag, write and perform a song, and create an educational system, 
justice system, and other elements of society, they use skills in a variety of 
educational disciplines.

     Flimibuff is 22 years old and going strong. 

                              __________________  

     
WELCOME TO FLIMIBUFF!!!

"Attention, Attention. This is the captain speaking- please, may I have your attention.

We have been working day and night for two months trying to regain communication with earth.
We have failed. We have run out of food and water. We will all die unless we fight for our lives.
(Aren't we lucky that we've read Lord of the Flies and have seen lots of bad sci fi movies??)

The planet we have landed on is called FLIMIBUFF.  It is amazingly similar to earth. We will be
forced to settle here and start a new life.

Time is running short; after five days, we will run out of food, water and fuel. We will spend the
next week planning our new society. Although I will be an advisor and participant, you will be
responsible for the success of our society. You will choose a group to work with and complete
the task assigned. Obviously, it is in the best interests of the group for you to work in a group that
best uses your unique talents, even if it does not mean working with your friends.

When we have completed our work, we will celebrate our success (with brownies that we will
find hidden on our planet) and thank all the members of the community for working cooperatively
to make our new life beautiful.

Work hard now, for later we will party!!

Thank you. Over and out"

                              ______________

We will divide into groups according to the following tasks:
 
Flag, slogan, seal, and anthem - Design a seal and construct a flag that will serve as the official
symbols for the new community. You should also adopt a slogan, a rallying cry for our people.
Every community must have its own national song. Select music, composing your own if possible,
and write the lyrics to go with it. The song should be about our new home or how we got here.

Educational system - On Flimibuff, we can correct the errors made in the American educational
system. Decide at what age children should begin school, what subjects should be taught, what
our educational goals should be, and how we should train our teachers. You should also consider
our need for a library and how we might recover the literature we have lost by leaving earth.

Language - Every community develops a body of colloquial or slang language along with its
formal language. The planet is a new place, so we need some new words. Write a dictionary of
new words to be used to describe the unique features of and events on Flimibuff.

Constitution and government - You must write a basic Constitution setting up the basis for our
government and law. Organize a system of community government and write the basic laws by
which we may live together in harmony. You should consider the Bill of Rights, the court system,
and the police department. How will we deal with complex moral/social/legal issues like abortion?

Customs, costumes, andfood - We have left behind our traditions of our native land. You should
decide what customs our new community should observe and how our family life should be
organized. Consider moral standards as well as social norms. You should also design the dress for
our people and determine what types of food we will eat and how we will get it. Lucky for us,
Flimibuff is dotted with chocolate chip trees.

Map and transportation - This new land must be explored and charted. You should design a plan
for construction of our community and a system of public and private transportation. Design our
homes, schools, stores, and whatever other dwellings we will need.

Occupations and currency - Many new kinds of jobs will be necessary on our new planet.
Remember,we have no machines except what's aboard ship. Develop a system of currency and
credit so people will be able to buy what they need. 

Recreation and Entertainment - All work and no play makes Flimibuff a dull planet. Decide what
games or sports might be suitable for our new planet's terrain (Flimiturf). What diversions might
we create to entertain ourselves?

Work together, be creative, have fun, and let your imaginations run wild ! As in the real world, if
any group works totally independently of the rest of the groups, the society will notwork.