Game On! Helping Kids Become Writers

Game On! (3:59) What on earth did kids do in their free time in the 50’s, 60’s, and even the 70’s without cell phones, tablets, social media or computer games? Anyone remember that old-fashioned reality that virtual reality tries to imitate – you know, like hide and seek or freeze tag, riding bikes, fishing, hula-hoops … oh, and television or radio? The world has changed, it seems, in big ways. Our first guest today - author, artist, and Video Game Director Dustin Hansen talks to Rachel about the brave new world we’ve entered. Hansen is author of the book Game On! Video Game History from Pong and Pac-Man to Mario, Minecraft, and More. He has been creating media for the Middle Grade or MG audience, for more than 20 years. Dustin Hansen’s passion for crafting meaningful stories has also led him into work as a creative director for some of the biggest video game products on the planet including Madden Football, The Sims, and Hasbro’s most popular franchises. His debut fiction series, Microsaurs appeared in January 2017 Helping Kids Become Writers (15:13) Next on Worlds Awaiting, Rachel welcomes author and educator, Ruth Culham. They’ll explore the importance of using certain texts (which Culham calls Mentor Texts), in helping our children become writers. Culham has written over 40 books for educators around the globe. A special focus of her work entails the concepts of “writing traits” and “writing from reading,” which she’ll shed some light on for us. Culham conducts professional development for schools and districts, and was the 2016 Department Editor for the professional journal Reading Teacher.  Exercise & Music (24:27) We finish up the show with David Barney, Professor of Physical Education at BYU, who talks about the positive effect that music has in the classroom and elsewhere. He cites studies that have been done in school settings that substantiate this – where music was combined with physical activity. David Barney is a member of the Teacher Education Department at BYU. He has taught at Oklahoma State University, North Dakota State University, and in public schools in Utah and Florida.