Described is a project designed to make government lessons and economics more appealing to sixth-grade students by having them set up and run a model city. General preparation procedures and set-up of the project, specific lesson plans, additional activities, and project evaluation are examined. An actual 3-dimensional model city was set up on three 8-foot tables. A monetary system was developed. Within the city, each child assumed his or her role as a property owner, worker, and head of a family. From among their peers, students elected a city council and a mayor. The role of "fate" was played by the teacher. Specific lessons--for which objectives, materials needed, specific teaching procedures, and teacher notes describing what happened when the lesson was implemented are outlined--dealt with the following topics: transportation, funding education, trying to prevent a factory closing through the formation of a corporation, electing new council persons and a new mayor, pollution, nuclear power, and redevelopment. Interdisciplinary activities in which the students were involved included writing essays, writing newspaper articles, and designing buildings. Project evaluation procedures included student observation, quizzes, and an essay test. (RM)