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