Engaged Learning Project Draft Template

Title of Project: Game of Literary Devices

Subject(s): English Language Arts
Grade Level(s): Grades 6-8
Abstract:
Students often find reading concepts, particularly that of literary devices, to be confusing, especially when they are asked to
utilize such devices within their own writing. Thus, in Game of Literary Devices, the students will be working to create a
game suitable to teach others or help them review the concept of literary devices. The students would then assume the role of
the lesson creator, facilitator, and master orchestrator which is why, as in the world of any consumer products, they will have
the entire semester to test their games with their classmates as their focus groups. The final product stemming from their
classmate feedback will be what is submitted for assessment.
Learner Description/Context:
East Cobb Middle School boasts an enrollment of roughly 1,284 students in grades 6-8. As a high-minority population, Title
I school, there are many needs that are unique to this school. For example, due to socioeconomic variances, some students
are able to easily access technology while others do not. This tends to run in accordance with the amount of students who are
on free or reduced lunch which is also the reason why some students do not have such regular access to technology. Given
that the student body is quite diverse ethnically, the base of personal experiences from which the students will use as the basis
for their projects. Many of the students hail from immigrant families and thus, they would bring a very broad array of
experiences to the forefront in their projects.
Time Frame:
After a thorough introduction to the project guidelines, requirements, and focus standards, the students will be provided with
up to two days in the computer lab to create the general framework for their video games. The students will work upon this
project as a semester-long project (18 weeks). As they learn new content in class, those notes will then be included within
their video games. Furthermore, the teacher will be provided with opportunities to work on this project at home, during any
free time in class (should a student finish an assignment early), and in-class on a bi-weekly basis.
Standards Assessed:
This project will assess the following standards in grades 6-8:
Grade 6:

Grade 7:

Grade 8:

ELACC6RL4: Craft and Structure- Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text,
including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of a specific word choice on meaning and tone.
ELACC6L5: Vocabulary Acquisition and Use- Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relations,
and nuances in word meanings.
ELACC6W6: Production and Distribution of Writing- Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and
publish writing as well as to interact and collaborate with others; demonstrate sufficient command of keyboarding
skills to type a minimum of three pages in a single sitting.
ELACC7RL4: Craft and Structure- Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text,
including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of rhymes and other repetitions of sounds (e.g.,
alliteration) on a specific verse or stanza of a poem or section of a story or drama.
ELACC7L5: Vocabulary Acquisition and Use- Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relations,
and nuances in word meanings.
ELACC7W6: Production and Distribution of Writing- Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and
publish writing and link to and cite sources as well as to interact and collaborate with others, including linking to
and citing sources.
ELACC8RL4: Craft and Structure- Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text,
including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone,
including analogies or allusions to other texts.
ELACC8L5: Vocabulary Acquisition and Use- Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relations,
and nuances in word meanings.
ELACC8W6: Production and Distribution of Writing- Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and
publish writing and present the relationships between information and ideas efficiently as well as to interact and
collaborate with others.

Jo Williamson, Ph.D., Kennesaw State University

Engaged Learning Project Draft Template

Product:
The students will work to create a game as their end-product to illustrate their mastery of the content standards regarding
literary devices as mentioned above. In creating a video game, the students will not only be showing what they have come to
understand, but they will then turn that information around in a manner to teach others. In doing so, they will reinforce their
knowledge of the standards because they will have become more relevant. Furthermore, this product is so steeped in
technology in such a manner as to prepare the students for life beyond school. Given that game design and technology design
are growing fields into which all students are consumers (this includes the design of game applications for phones, tablets,
and other personal electronic devices), this product will not only reinforce their understanding of literary devices, but will
give them some insight into what kind of skills are needed to be in such a growing field such as game design. Furthermore,
additional, real-world relevant standards relating to marketing and persuasion will be assessed as the students will be required
to create a pamphlet, poster, or flyer to market their games.
To assess this product, I will present the students with a checklist of required elements, a rubric so that they can know exactly
what level of quality I will be assessing, as well as a rubric and checklist for the pamphlet, poster, or flyer they will produce
to advertise their games.
Technology Use:
The students will be provided with all resources needed to successfully complete the assignment via my blog (http://
mswillipedia.com). Beyond that, the students will be able to access additional information as necessary for the literary
devices they which to include within their game at their discretion. My blog will be certain to feature guidelines on how a
student can evaluate a website or resource they found on their own for credibility. The students will also be permitted to
choose the platform upon which the technology-based game they have created will exist, but will be shown how to use
resources such as www.kahoot.com, www.quia.com, www.jeopardylabs.com, www.sploder.com, and
www.gamestarmechanic.com in order to create their games. These different platforms will provide differentiation with
regards to the level of technological facility needed in order for the students to create their games. Furthermore, they also
serve to provide differentiation with regard to the level at which the students have learned to master the content.
The students would work to explore the ability to work autonomously, focus on their own interests, and reinforce that which
they have learned. In fact, since it is a semester-long project where they will actually move through all of the LoTi levels as
they will work from non-use, to awareness of these new tools, they will explore these game-making websites as they also
explore the content. The students will then go through the infusion stage as they then subsequently integrate that which they
have learned in such a manner that the students will be able to review. Finally, the students will have the option for
exploration as they will be able to get into contact with actual game designers to aid them in the refinement process of their
games. They will constantly be working with one another and critiquing each others work so that they will have the most
clearly-refined game to submit at the end of the project.
References and Supporting Material:
Supporting Material
All students will be provided with the following to assist them in the completion of their work:
a rubric
exemplars
tutorial videos
Web-based Materials
Kahoot (www.kahoot.com)
Quia (www.quia.com)
Jeopardy Labs (www.jeopardylabs.com)
Sploder (www.sploder.com)
Gamestar Mechanic (www.gamestarmechanic.com)

Jo Williamson, Ph.D., Kennesaw State University