Border Crossings Teacher Guide
Border Crossings
Teacher Facilitation Guide
Review Game
Game Overview
Border Crossings is a competitive classroom board game designed to review the government and economic systems of the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Cuba. Students work in teams to "travel" across the continent by correctly answering system-specific challenge cards.
Time: 45-60 Minutes
Groups: 3-5 Students per Team
Materials Needed
- 1 Game Board per team
- 1 set of Challenge Cards per team
- Dice (or digital spinner)
- Player tokens (coins, cubes, or buttons)
The Rules of the Road
01. Setup
Teams start at "Entry Point Alpha" in the United States. Shuffle Challenge Cards and place them face down on the board's card zone.
02. Movement
The youngest player rolls first. Move the number of spaces rolled. If you land on a "Challenge" space, you must draw a card.
03. Challenges
A teammate reads the card. If answered correctly, move forward 2 spaces. If incorrect, stay put. Correct answers earn "Political Capital."
Master Answer Key
01. Cuba vs. Others Single-party political system
02. USA vs. Canada Leadership Method of choosing national leaders
03. Mexico Economy Emerging market economy
04. Canada Unique Feature Constitutional monarchy
05. US Power Balance Separation of powers
06. Restricted Freedoms Cuba
07. US Presidential Terms 2 terms
08. Mexico Presidential Election 6 years, no re-election
09. Electoral College United States
10. US Economic System Capitalist market
11. Canada Symbolic Head Queen/King
12. Shared Characteristic National constitutions
13. Cuba Uniqueness Communist leadership
14. Strong Individual Rights United States
15. Cuba Selection Process Single-party nomination process
16. USA Government Type Federal constitutional republic
17. Centrally Planned Economy Cuba
18. Mexico Federal Republic State-level autonomy
19. US Election Frequency Every 4 years
20. Strongest Rights Prot. United States
Pro-Tips for Facilitation
- Encourage students to use their notes for the first 10 minutes, then make it "closed book" for higher stakes.
- Assign a "System Secretary" in each group to verify answers using the master list.
- If a team finishes early, have them create 3 "Expert Level" cards to swap with another group.
Border Crossings Challenge Cards
CHALLENGE #01
Which characteristic distinguishes Cuba's government from the other three countries studied?
Direct elections
Single-party system
Term limits
Multiple parties
CHALLENGE #02
How does leadership selection differ most significantly between the USA and Canada?
Number of parties
Term lengths
Structure
Selection method
CHALLENGE #03
Which economic system most closely describes Mexico's current approach?
Pure capitalist
Emerging market
Centrally planned
Fully socialist
CHALLENGE #04
What unique feature characterizes Canada's government structure?
Direct democracy
Const. Monarchy
Authoritarian
Presidential
CHALLENGE #05
In the US, what principle ensures no single branch becomes too powerful?
Presidential veto
Separation of powers
Electoral College
Popular vote
CHALLENGE #06
Which country has the most restricted political freedoms?
Canada
Mexico
United States
Cuba
CHALLENGE #07
What is the maximum number of consecutive terms a US President can serve?
3 terms
Unlimited
2 terms
1 term
CHALLENGE #08
How does Mexico's presidential election differ from other countries?
Appointed
Unlimited terms
6 yr, no re-elect
Re-electable
CHALLENGE #09
Which country uses an Electoral College system for choosing its leader?
Mexico
United States
Cuba
Canada
CHALLENGE #10
What type of economic system does the US primarily follow?
Mixed market
Socialist
Capitalist market
Centrally planned
CHALLENGE #11
In Canada's government, who serves as the symbolic head of state?
President
Queen/King
Speaker
Prime Minister
CHALLENGE #12
Which characteristic is shared by ALL four countries studied?
Direct elections
Border Crossings Slides
Border
Crossings
A Continental Systems Review Game
The Mission
Your team must navigate from the United States to the Political Summit.
To move, you must prove your knowledge of how these nations govern and trade.
Reviewing:
- United States
- Canada
- Mexico
- Cuba
How to Play
01
Roll & Move
Roll the dice and move your token across the board path.
02
The Challenge
Land on an orange space? Draw a card. A teammate reads the question.
03
Political Capital
Answer correctly to move 2 extra spaces! Get it wrong? Stay where you are.
Expert Strategist
Speed Counts
Don't overthink! You only have 30 seconds to answer once the card is read.
Teamwork
Help your teammates land on those summit squares. Collaboration is key to governance!
Good luck, Diplomats!
