1. Read the book Smiling For Strangers

2. Form groups of 2-4 students. In each group decide the following:

Within each family, roles (i.e. father, mother, sister, etc.) should be designated.

Select a home on the map

Choose economic background and ethnic affiliation

3. The families should create escape plans. They should plot to leave the country. Use the website provided to learn the geography of the country and surrounding area.

How will they leave (i.e. car, on foot, train)

Where will they go once they escape

Create a back-up plan

If they get separated have alternate meeting places and contact information

4. Throughout the project the teacher will give out "plot wrenches." The families can loose money, their home may be bombed, someone may die, there may be a trap. These will be situations any member of the family could encounter.

If you die, you will be journalists covering the war. You will place update pages on the door every morning.

As you progress through this project, keep a journal. Each day note what happened, where you are, and any important events. This journal will be turned in upon completion of the final project.

5. At the end of the war, re-group the class and discuss what happened.