Recount writing using Endless Ocean

The language the children used impressed us in this task. They used lots of descriptive vocabulary and phrasing inspired by a swim in the lagoon. However they found it difficult to stick to the form, structure and style of a recount - they were concerned with telling the reader about every fish they saw in the order they saw them, generating an extensive and detailed list rather than a recount. Also when it came to drawing the writing to a close, they seemed to struggle with ending the recount in role, rather than describing what happened as part of the game.

Phil and Helen

Endless Ocean

We used Endless Ocean as a stimulus within our teaching for the 'power of imagery' Primary Framework unit for poetry. Have a look at the results below - the game was perfect for what we used it for. Being able to swim around at random, as well as complete tasks and further the game, meant that the children were able to fully immerse (submerse?!) themselves in the underwater world. The detail of the game is such that there is a great deal of flora and fauna to be examined, as well as simply being able to discuss what was happening - how the light changes in different parts of the sea, the sounds, furthermore the emotions evoked by what we were doing. We felt that the children were inspired to use deeper and richer vocabulary, as well as coming up with some thoughtful and imaginative similes and metaphors. A resounding success!

Helen & Phil

Some examples of descriptive writing

Other work this term - African Safari Game

We have used this game to inspire the children's writing and it continues to link to our habitats topic.

The photo's show displays of safari and rainforest work, including art.

The children have written diaries and recounts about being a photographer on the African plains, and a persuasive leaflet. This work led nicely into our rainforest part of the topic, also being taught alongside.

Following the safari recount the children wrote another as a photographer in the Amazon rainforest, using Andes to Amazon DVD for inspiration (there is not game unfortunately). The focus on the writing was still description, but also paragraphing and time connectives in all pieces of writing.

The transition from the African Safari writing to the rainforest was seemless; the children were using what they had learned (technically and content wise) to write this new piece of work.

Before and after writing (Endless Ocean)

Here are two photo's of a child's writing, a less able writer who has difficulty finding ideas. The first is inspired from a novel by Michael Morpurgo, the second inspired by the Wii game. There was a big difference in motivation which I think is down to the fact that the child was 'there' when the game was played, he could relate to it, and simply turning on the Wii cued him in!

Endless ocean summary

We have completed our Ocean part of our Habitats topic.

The pictures show ocean displays. There are extracts from a 'Diving through the coral' diary entry, extracts from ocean stories, and trump cards on ocean creatures, with batiks created in art.

Interestingly, the children discussed the animals they saw in the Wii when they were working, using their names and talking about them and including the setting, and some action, from the game in their writing. The children were never stuck for ideas for a story line, using the game for inspiration, and because of this we could focus in on teaching technical and linguistic features. We focused upon descriptive language while working on Endless Ocean 2; it lends itself perfectly for this.

We have also completed an ocean dance, using the Wii game for ideas on movement, as well as watching Blue Planet DVD.

Zak and Wiki

See attached photos of children's work containing some of the vocabulary that may have come from using the game. We don't feel that this particular title had an effect on the children's stories overall. With regard to the game itself, it turned out you had to put quite a lot of work in before you got anything out. Lots of mini tasks to complete, but it was also a long way to go before reaching a save point. The dialogue appearing on the screen I presume was translated directly from Japanese, leading to some 'interesting' turns of phrase! We contributed to the general lack of success with this game though, by not spending enough time with the game in advance of teaching with it.

Phil & Helen

It's taken a while to get settle into the new class what with being in a job share but now we're on our way and we're all excited by the Wii. It took a while for me to get my head round when and how to save games (I am so out of touch) but with the Year 5's doing their cycling proficiency the Year 4s and I have been having fun exploring Endless Ocean, and soon the teaching ideas were there. The picture shows the Year 4s collecting adverbs from watching the game, to put in Wordles www.wordle.net to use later in their writing.


After some writing assessments it was clear the children needed work on description in their writing so I've focused upon the fiction side of things, especially as Literacy lessons are based around Kensuke's Kingdom. This week we are merging both as they start their own island and ocean adventure.


What I've noticed so far: kids making comments such as 'I've never written so much, my hand hurts!', total silence for 20 minutes as they write about what it is like to dive amongst the coral (our topic this term is Oceans so a perfect link!), a huge increase in use of descriptive language, motivation to write and how the Wii appears to give them the support they need in starting to write.

Looking forward to branching out and using other games after half term!


Anna

Endless Oceans 2-initial review

The Wii game 'Endless Oceans 2' has captured the children's interest; providing a realistic setting in the South Pacific from which to embark on solving the mystery of the Song of Dragons. We have explored the basic principles of 'virtual scuba diving' and are currently researching scuba diving equipment and technique via explanation texts. We will be writing a letter of application to Jean Eric Rouvier who fronts the R&R Diving Service in the hope of securing a position as a diver on board his boat. Children are enthused and the graphics and sound effects are particularly calming-a bonus!

Best wishes and regards,

Clive

Gearing up for it

Pupil perceptions are done, and were very interesting... a good mixture of responses.

I plan to use Another code : R as the basis for our work on fiction genres, mixed in with some diary writing and linking Mario Cart to the latter half of our Forces topic in Science.

The Primary pete website has some really good ideas, reports and videos up there and a great link to a google docs spreadsheet detailing curriculum links and Wii game ideas... all separated by year group, there is a huge pool of ideas to take inspiration from there.

I plan to start the work in around a week. Once I have prised the Wii from my wife's hands...

Toby.

Miis created!

Children have also done their pupil perceptions. During the creation of Miis it would appear some of the boys have some deep rooted desires to wear make up....!

All set to go!

I was pleasantly surprised with many of the responses from the pupil perception interviews - many of the children seem quite positive about their writing.

Our first literacy unit is fiction genres so I'm looking forward to getting out a couple of the adventure games!

Just checking in,

Game Evaluations

On day one we evaluated the following games for their use in literacy and across the curriculum:

Wild Earth African Safari, Another Code R, Endless Ocean, Brave - A Warrior's Tale, Mario and Sonic at the Olympics, Medieval Games, Mario Kart, Wii Sports Resort

You can access all these plans by clicking here, and then clicking on the individual photograph to enlarge it.

We also have, but didn't have time to evaluate, Rotten Romans and Zack & Wiki - Quest for Barbaro's Treasure.

Please feel free to suggest other games to us that we may be able to use to support children's learning.

The Start of the Project

Today was the first day of the project.  We spent it evaluating various games to decide on how they could be used to support both literacy and cross curricular work.  We will post those evaluations on here soon. 
For now though, here are some images from the day. (If this slide show doesn't play correctly we suggest closing and then re-loading the page).