• "This game taught my son how to think and plan ahead. Their desks were treated as home ownership. He was so good at saving his 'job earnings' that he managed to pay off the 'mortgage' in order to be the homeowner of his desk and then also buying a second desk, which in turn made him a landlord charging rent!"

    Amy Lau, Parent 2012 & 2013 ~ Wrote letter to Minister of Education (see below)

  • "Teaching using this method puts ALL students on a level learning field in the classroom. I have 3 grandchildren in the Surrey Elementary school system, and I wish they were being taught using 'The City Game'."

    Linda Holbeche ~ Zanette’s Aunt who has listened to many stories about the game since it was created.

  • "It provides opportunities for children to actively participate in shaping solutions to problems, and transforms learning into an engaging, hands-on experience that blends education with real-world problem-solving. It’s an immersive, transformative learning experience that will stay with a child long after they leave the classroom."

    Kristie Walters ~ Childhood friend hearing inspirational stories about The City Game over the past 17 years.

  • "My son says that because of the game, he has a greater appreciation of what money is, how it is used for expenses and how to save for future expenses too. He learned it is not healthy to be attached to money and that things are not all necessary for happiness."

    Barb McMahon, Parent 2014

  • "With limited classroom resources, this is such an important classroom tool that leaves our children with more independence, empathy, and real-life skills than ever before! I am looking forward to ‘gifting’ this to our child’s teacher!"

    Danielle Ferguson ~ Childhood Friend and Mom of Two

  • “It makes the kids learn in a way they haven't thought about before. It’s the "big picture" in tiny manageable pieces.”

    Parent, Anonymous 2014

  • "Pete has become much more responsible. He now prepares lunches for himself and his sister, [and] makes sure both of their planners are signed and all homework is done. He is excited to go to school each day and times his morning activities to make sure he is punctual".

    ~ Anonymous, parent questionnaire, 2012

  • "My son now cleans his room and chores are done the first time we ask. My son has gained extra confidence in managing tasks and is more independent in his work at home and at school. He has also learned how and when to ask for help".

    Anonymous, parent questionnaire, 2014

Dear Honourable George Abbott,

I would like to express my praise towards excellence in teaching for an outstanding Ms. Amanda Parent (Zanette), Grade 5/6 teacher at the Forest Grove Elementary School, in Burnaby, BC (SD41). I have had the opportunity to meet her in person and chat with her. Her energy is incredible and her focus towards keeping her class engaged and learning is admiring.

My son is in grade 5 and is a student in Ms. Parent's class. I have never seen my son so engaged in class activities as he is now. Ms. Parent has developed this amazing sims style structure in the classroom that incorporates her subjects while learning within this model. The class is set like a city where the teacher is the mayor, and there are duties/jobs (bank clerk, library assistant, police (checks day planners/hands out fines), etc.) which alternate monthly amongst the classroom students. Each position pays a salary and each student has "rent" to pay monthly for their desks. It's incredible because it incorporates planning, budgeting and math skills towards the financial part of the project, life skills in learning what the consequences are (for example: if you have overspent and had not planned well) and organizational skills. There are perks for extra tasks completed and fines for not completing tasks. This type of teaching module keeps the students responsible for their own actions.

Recently, the school has decided that they would like to run for a contest that will hopefully win them an award by making a movie about their school, their community and their community garden. Ms. Parent's class is spearheading the production portion of the movie. A list of each position of what makes up the production crew (directors, assistant to the directors, casting managers, storyboard writer/artist, lighting, stage manager, make up, actors, etc...) was handed out to the students for them to nominate themselves and do a vote. Each position pays a salary, which will go towards their city module. I think this is so incredible! The students will be in charge of making this happen! My son was so excited for this project, he decided to create a "vote for me" poster last night! He tells me that if he got the position he seeks, and since he had half the money saved up, he would have enough to "buy his desk" which means pay off the mortgage and not have to pay rent for the rest of the school year! This made me mist up. I see here my son has been budgeting well and planning ahead.

This kind of teaching is out of the box. I am truly grateful to have my son in Ms. Parent's class. He is learning so well and is excited about going to class. I strongly believe that when you find a teacher that is as profound as this, they should be recognized and receive acclamation for their outstanding work.

Sincerely,
Amy Lau

“My son is in grade 5 and is a student in Ms. Parent's (Zanette’s) class. I have never seen my son so engaged in class activities as he is now. Ms. Parent (Zanette) has developed this amazing sims style structure in the classroom that incorporates her subjects while learning within this model.”

~ Amy Lau

Parent Letter to the BC Minister of Education