Mr. Nathanael Wooley is an AP World History and European History teacher at SCHS and has a very different way of teaching from time to time. Instead of the normal lecture and taking notes, Wooley orchestrates a game with his students to help them learn about the content in the chapter they’re working on.

“I do them because it simulates history, ” Wooley said. “Instead of just reading about it in a textbook, you actually get to take part in a similar process and I believe that is going to be much more memorable.”

This particular game simulated the 30 Years War, a long series of battles between multiple European countries. It split the class into four groups, representing four different countries that were involved in the war. However, this game was very different.

“The game we just played was a simulation of the absolute power of kings in England, and it allowed us to take part in a historical scenario and really get in depth about what happened and why it happened,” said junior Owen Blickenstaff.

Blickenstaff was chosen as the king in this game by Wooley and dominated the game as King Charles I of England, even until the bitter end.

“I enjoyed my role as king, it allowed me to have interactions with most of the class and at the same time it didn’t take the power away from anyone else in the class,” he said.

The game had students being given certain roles in the government, like a position in parliament, all with individual objectives, or the prime minister who acted as the leader and representative of parliament.

“My role as prime minister was great,” said senior Nicholas Wyatt. “It was a lot of fun and I felt like with it I was able to take a very active role in the game.”

Students were also given the role of the king’s cabinet, who advised the king on their choices in battles and important decisions.

“I had a good time accusing other people within the cabinet of being impostors,” said senior Isabella Truong. “ I was correct.”