Student Work

Skin in the Game (SIG) is an innovative new project for Global Writes that will integrate literacy learning with the process of game design and hands on school to career projects as a pathway to academic success. SIG will extend Global Writes’ current model for integrating the arts with literacy and technology by incorporating concepts in Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Art, and Math (STREAM) with the ELA curriculum. SIG will use an interdisciplinary, blended learning approach, integrating mobile devices, digital media, 3D Printing and construction of board and video games. Global Writes will work with school literacy teachers using game design strategies to focus on story elements found in fiction and informational texts selected from the existing school day curriculum and explore connections in science, math and conflict resolution. SIG will support English Language Learners through increased analysis of author’s craft and structure as well as the use of digital media apps that support all learning modalities. A Global Writes teaching artist in residence will collaborate with an ELA teacher to help students design game boards and pieces, then prototype and manufacture them in Maker spaces. A game design consultant will mentor students through the game design process. Global Writes will use the Zulama Game Design Curriculum platform as a course delivery and management system for students to work independently and in small groups to explore content, learn about the fundamentals of game design and learn a variety of applications that support coding. Teachers using Zulama can use the existing assignments or modify them and create new lessons for their students while tracking students project progress online. Global Writes has partnered with Zulama to extend its existing curriculum to create a set of elementary school modules which it will pilot with Bronx schools. Below are some images of pilot game design projects created by teachers at the Global Writes Summer professional development institute and some students in grade 2 at PS 54 in the Bronx, NY.

Jesica Blandon, a sophomore at the Bronx’s DreamYard Preparatory School, performs her poem “I Was Told Mama Had All the Answers.” Article Featured in June 2009 Edition of Edutopia Magazine