Game for grammar

Game For Grammar!
Mrs Jessi Siva
Mr David Lim
Huamin Primary School
School Vision
Curious Mind
Adventurous Spirit
Passionate Heart
A Happy Learning Place
Where we Learn to Love and Love to Learn
Background


games have an advantage of allowing the pupils to practice & internalise grammar & structures extensively
Background


children are delighted to play games in the classroom, especially when they are taught grammar (Rinvolucri, 1984)
Background





offer a meaningful context for language use (Chen, 2005) because learners pay attention to the message & acquire language unconsciously (Sacricoban & Metin, 2002)
Background









games enhance learners’ motivation to speak the language, especially encouraging the shy & passive students
Background


Intrinsic Motivation
why teaching grammar through games actually work
young learners will not internally decide that they want to learn grammar
intrinsic motivation can
encourage them to play
games & learning takes
place when they are playing

I am very motivated!
What’s next?!
Learning Outcomes


Teaching & learning of grammar is more active
Alternative assessment mode
Instant feedback
Self-directed learning


Serious
Stuff
ICT Outcomes


Integration of ICT into curriculum
Achieve a better BY(i)TES score
In sub-domains of collaboration and HOT activities
Develop ICT teaching resources

Fun
Stuff
Objectives
Reinforce understanding of Grammar
Provide pupils with in depth understanding of the novel
Stimulate Logical Analysis
Develop Critical Thinking Skills
Train in ICT Skill
– Game Development
Develop Intra and
Interpersonal Skills
Target
P6A1 pupils
group of pupils who used the literature text ‘Sing to the Dawn’ as their EL text. This text was used as the basis to create the Grammar Game.
Progression and Evolution
2003 : Storyline Method

2005 : Story Crafting

2006 : Animania@Huamin

2007 : Literature in Motion

2008 : Integrated Project
Work (IPW)
Progression and Evolution
2009 : Game for Grammar (2D)

2010 : Game for Grammar (3D)

Procedure
Pupils go through literature lessons during EL – Sing to the Dawn

Teacher focusses on
specific topics to provide
pupils a better scope –
Grammar items & syntax

Procedure
Pupils undergo lessons on the creation of the game using the Game Maker - freeware

Procedure
Laying of ground rules to work within groups
Use of rubrics to guide pupils
Rubrics leverages on the School’s Value of Teamwork is Our Culture

Procedure
Assigning of ROLES within the group

Procedure
Development of Game
Research on games
Sketch out character on paper
Draw sprites digitally
Program the game
Difficulty level
Tools used (shooting, maze)
Editing/vetting
Post-production
Music
Sound effects
Assessment
Both Formative & Summative

Chart to track progress of pupils’ work

Potential for Improvement
Use it as a formal assessment
Integration of other subjects
To cascade it to the rest of the classes
Teachers to be more involved
Cyber wellness issues
Collaboration with other schools
Conclusion
Pupils engaged in their learning
Teaching more purposeful driven
Pupils improved in their grammar skills
Values driven
Pupils acquired ICT skills in game development
Future Plans
Cascade to P5 level in 2011 as IPW
Create games which are targeted at the lower primary levels
Use of games to support teaching of grammar items
3D game
Pointers
Start small
Buying-in of middle management
Get support from fellow teachers
Integrate into curriculum
“new generation of learners
within a new information environment
for unpredictable future”

- Mr David Warlick

Acknowledgement
& References
Pictures from google.com (images) & digitalblasphemy.com
Pupils of 6 Gandhi 2009
Chen, I-Yung. Sing Games to “Using Games to promote Communicative Skills in Language Teaching.” Found at http://itesl.org on 17.02.2010.
Rinvolucri, M. 1984. Grammar Games. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Sacricoban, A. and E. Metin. “Songs, Verse, Games for Teaching Grammar.” Found at http://itesl.org on 17.02.2010.
Toth, M. 1998. Children’s Games. Oxford: Macmillan Heinemann English Language Teaching.
Ur, P. 1996. A Course in Language Teaching. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shelley_Vernon

Thank You
Q & A