This morning I am linking up with Rachel from Sweet Sweet Primary to bring you my thoughts about chapter 6 of Explore Like a Pirate.
I loved this chapter! Matera has begun leading us through the actual creation of a game. In this chapter he tells us about the 4 important parts of any game: theme, setting, characters, and action/conflict. Any good game has these four elements in a very detailed and well thought out format.
The theme is where you frame your story. Its the big picture and sets the stage for the other three elements of the game. Once you have your theme you create the setting. This has to be very detailed because you want the kids to feel like they are a part of the world that you are creating in the game. Matera states that it is "one part location and two parts description."
Once your setting is in place you create your characters. Make sure that your characters are interesting and that they help you achieve the goals that you have for your students through this game. The characters need to be relevant to the story to keep students engaged and learning.
Finally you need the action/conflict. This happens in two different ways. You need to create small, quick challenges to give students successes throughout the game and a few failures so that they can learn to make changes or adjustments to their approach to the game. There are also longer challenges that flow throughout the game. These conflicts can be for individuals, small groups, or teams. We just need to make sure that they are appropriate for our students, story line, and goals.
I was so excited by this chapter that I am slowing working through the series of questions that he gives us to create a mini game for my students to play this coming school year. It won't be a year long game. I am nowhere near ready for that yet but I think I can handle a week long game to start with. I hope you found this beginning to game creation just as helpful and exciting as I did.
Have a wonderful Tuesday!
Ashley
The theme is where you frame your story. Its the big picture and sets the stage for the other three elements of the game. Once you have your theme you create the setting. This has to be very detailed because you want the kids to feel like they are a part of the world that you are creating in the game. Matera states that it is "one part location and two parts description."
Once your setting is in place you create your characters. Make sure that your characters are interesting and that they help you achieve the goals that you have for your students through this game. The characters need to be relevant to the story to keep students engaged and learning.
Finally you need the action/conflict. This happens in two different ways. You need to create small, quick challenges to give students successes throughout the game and a few failures so that they can learn to make changes or adjustments to their approach to the game. There are also longer challenges that flow throughout the game. These conflicts can be for individuals, small groups, or teams. We just need to make sure that they are appropriate for our students, story line, and goals.
I was so excited by this chapter that I am slowing working through the series of questions that he gives us to create a mini game for my students to play this coming school year. It won't be a year long game. I am nowhere near ready for that yet but I think I can handle a week long game to start with. I hope you found this beginning to game creation just as helpful and exciting as I did.
Have a wonderful Tuesday!
Ashley
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