Teaching with videogames: the hero's journey and 'The Legend of Zelda'
This is a differentiated lesson allowing students with different abilities to learn about storytelling and the ‘hero’s journey’ genre through the original 1986 game The Legend of Zelda.
Year levels: 2–6
Subject area: English
Technology/materials required:
- The Legend of Zelda on Nintendo Switch, WII, 3DS, Wii U.
- a projector to watch YouTube videos available here
- A3 paper and crayons/coloured pencils for map making
- a storyboard template to scaffold the hero's journey
Download the full lesson plan
The lesson plan includes links to the Victorian Curriculum, indications of lesson timing, and ideas for differentiation and assessment.
In this lesson, students will
| 1 | Explore character and narrative features in stories and videogames |
| 2 | Explore legends and how they influence narratives |
| 3 | Make a story map based on the hero's journey |
| 4 | Submit stories and characters to Zelda Classic. Download and play other students' stories |
By the end of this lesson, students should
| features that make an effective videogame |
| different plot, characters and settings of videogames |
| narrative features in a written story |
| draw or write a story of their own conception based on The Legend of Zelda |
| identify the three pillars of gaming as a structure for planning a game story |
| ability to contrast and compare videogame and written story features |