We used Mario Kart as a tool to inspire creative writing and to improve the quality of content in the children's writing. This project was also used to develop group discussion and interaction and speaking and listening skills.We began by playing mario kart and making notes on the different settings. Children wrote a simple mind map with ideas for each race. We then chose simple nouns from the settings, e.g. 'cows' and created more detailed descriptions based on a particular race and setting the children chose, e.g. 'In this wonder of a barnyard, where milking cows is what we do best, grassy fields and beautiful flowers surround us in the land of Moo Moo Meadows'.
We displayed these short descriptions around the classroom to provide children with ideas for further writing. Once we had shared the descriptions and made improvements to our own and peers, it was our chance to design our own Mario Kart Race. We had been studying world war two for the term and the children had learnt a lot and were so interested in the topic. We had created role play areas, produced some writing based on 'The Blitz' and made Air Raid shelters for our DT project. We also visited Duxford Air Museum and dressed up as evacuees. Therefore, the children had lots of ideas and were very eager to begin this project. We had another look at Mario Kart to analyse the tracks and obstacles along the way and the children wrote down a list of things they would like to include in their own race. We talked about alliteration and word play and how we would include the Mario characters within our race, e.g. Bowser's Blitz, Peach's Ration Zone, Luigi's Evacuation Station, Toad's Aircraft.
Once we had discussed these things, the children worked with a mixed ability partner to design their track. They drew and labelled their tracks and included word play and alliteration. Once the designs had been made, they decided on a character to race and what their kart would be like.
The next stage was to create a short presentation to the class of their race. They children had to talk the class through their race in an interesting way, describe the obstacles and show how the race is completed. Once the presentations were completed, the children swapped races and wrote reports on each other's stating the good points and possible points for improvement.
Because it was linked to a topic much enjoyed by the children, they were very inspired with lots of ideas and this supported them during the designing process and ultimately the presentation.
What a great way to use it. I'd never have thought of linking Mario to WW2, but it obviously worked very successfully. Lovely examples of language from the children, thanks for sharing
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