Teaching Children with Mascot-Inspired Projects

Malu Sciamarelli

The benefits of project-based learning:• Thematically organised materials are easier to remember and learn• The presentation of coherent and meaningful information leads to deeper

processing and better learning• There is a relationship between the student motivation and interest, and a

student’s ability to process challenging materials, recall information and elaborate answers

• Expertise in a topic develops when students reinvest their knowledge in a sequence of progressively more complex tasks

Why mascots?

Storytelling and Creative Writing

Procedure:• Mascot: name• Senses:

1. Sight2. Hearing3. Touch4. Taste5. Smell

• Sit in a nice spot: help them write stories/poems based on their experience, using the mascots

• Back in the classroom: name one thing they discovered using the five senses

• Tell the stories/poems out loud using the mascots• Document them in a poster in the classroom or a blog

Examples:

The flowers of my gardenShine brighter than the sun.Brownie plays with usAnd we have so much fun.(Ana Luiza, 9 years old)

On the other side of the worldThe sun shines brighter than hereDubi and all his friendsSmile for everyone to see.(Giulia, 7 years old)

The sun is shiningAnd I am shining tooBut why is SnowSo sad and blue?(Maria Fernanda, 8 years old)

Brownie, Dubi and SnowAre laughing and laughing.They are rolling on the groundAnd everyone is coming round!(Chiara, 8 years old)

If you are feeling blueVanilla’s flowersWill come to youAnd give you superpowers!(Lorena, 8 years old)

Variation:• Repeat the ‘five senses’ activities inside the classroom• Draw pictures of the five senses• Ask them to write an acrostic poem using the five senses or the name of their

mascots:

B lue skyR ough barkO range scentW histling windN ice soft grassI tchy mosquito biteE ating sweet raspberries

Benefits:

• Writing a story / poem will flow naturally• Use of mascot: playful engagement • Fun-loving environment• Risk is encouraged • Boost creativity

ConclusionProjects:•Reach all students•Get them engaged•Ownership of their learning•Lifelong learners•Critical thinking and problem solving skills

Mascots:

• Increase engagement, imagination and creativity• Increase motivation• Allow them to write their own stories – personalisation• Confidence to take risks in a fun-loving environment• Stimulate socialisation and playfulness

Thank you!

Email: malusciamarelli@gmail.comWebsite: www.malusciamarelli.weebly.com

The C Group: http://thecreativitygroup.weebly.comCreativity Book – British Council:

http://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/article/creativity-english-language-classroom