Overview:

This is a modified version of BRI’s card game, Fed Up. It is an engaging digital card game designed to simulate the historical debate between Federalists and Anti-Federalists during the formation of the Constitution. The game is intended for a whole-group classroom setting and lasts approximately 10-30 minutes. Students compete to earn the highest score by ranking and responding to key concepts related to the debate. 

Learning Objectives:

By participating in this game, students will: 

• Understand the key arguments of Federalists and Anti-Federalists. 
• Engage in critical thinking about government structure and individual rights. 
• Practice decision-making and discussion skills through gameplay. 
• Connect historical debates to modern civic principles. 

Materials Needed:

• Modified Fed-Up: Whole-Class Version Slide Deck 
• Modified Fed Up Handout (One per student) 

Game Setup: 

Arrange students in groups of 5 or less. The students are not on a team, but can discuss, debate, and consult with each other throughout the game play. Provide each student with a response and scoring handout and display the Fed Up Slide deck on the classroom board. 

Game Play: 

• Review the Federalist and Anti-Federalist stances and key debates with the Crash Course slide. Indicate that the students also have a copy on their handout for reference during the game.  
• Introduce the card types that students will encounter during game play with the Components slide.  
  • Federalist Role Card (Blue Feds): Indicates students will be ranking cards based on the Federalist point of view. 
  • Anti-Federalist Role Card (Orange Anti-Feds): Indicates students will be ranking cards based on an Anti-Federalist point of view.  
  • Prompt Card (Yellow double-sided arrow): Gives a category with which to rank the cards. 
  • Ordering Cards (White card with blue outline): The cards that students are tasked with ranking. There are three on each slide. 
• Give a brief overview of how the game will be scored using the scoring slide. 
  • After each round, the teacher will reveal the correct ranking based on the Federalist or Anti-Federalist Role Card. 
  • Students compare their rankings to the correct order. 
  • A student earns one point per correctly placed word—the word must be in the exact correct position. 
  • If two words are in the correct sequence but are placed on different number lines (e.g., swapped between lines 2 and 3 instead of 1 and 2), no points are awarded for those words. 
  • The student with the highest score at the end of the game wins. 
• Begin Gameplay following the modified whole-group Structure for Fed Up. 
  • The game consists of five rounds. 
  • At the start of each round, reveal a new prompt card to guide student rankings. 
  • Direct students’ attention to the ordering cards below, where they will rank the three given words or concepts based on the prompt and their assigned role’s perspective. 
  • A one-minute timer is included on each slide (if needed) to maintain an engaging and fast-paced experience. 
  • Once time has elapsed, reveal the answer key below the Federalist/Anti-Federalist Role Card and give students a few moments to score themselves. 
  • Discussions and debates are encouraged after each round to allow students to defend their reasoning and refine their understanding. 
• When the rounds are complete, prompt students to tally their score and crown the highest-scoring player the winner. 

Teacher Tips for Effective Implementation:

• Encourage Debate: Allow students to challenge each other’s rankings with historical reasoning. 
• Facilitate Discussion: Provide additional context for Federalist and Anti-Federalist perspectives as needed. 
• Use Digital Tools: Consider using a digital whiteboard or polling tools to visualize rankings and encourage participation. 
• Customize and Extend: Additional blank Fed and Anti-Fed slides are included so that you can extend the game and add your own cards. More cards are available in the full game file.