There's science, and then there's Pokemon science! Involving your child's interests in their learning is a great way to engage them in a subject. To celebrate the release of the new Pokemon: Scarlet & Violet, in this article we will look at why interest-based learning around a theme is important, and also look at all the different ways children can learn using a Pokemon-themed approach!
Interest-based learning, where you take your child's interests and passions on a theme or interest that they have and create learning experiences around that, is a very powerful way to engage your child in learning. They are more likely to be intrinsically motivated to learn, and to also connect with the topics being taught.
Five main benefits of theme- or interest-based learning
- Fun is a key ingredient in learning - It's fun to learn more about something you love, and using a topic like Pokemon, which is a game that many children play and are engrossed in, is a great way to bring that fun into a learning experience. As you will see below, the game lends itself to many different topics to learn about.
- Curiosity is harnessed and learning is motivated - When a child is invested in a theme, they naturally want to learn more about it. Tying learning into this interest will help overcome any reluctance to learning and, as we saw in our article about learning history through Minecraft, it can also be used to ignite motivation to learn subjects that previously held no interest.
- The boundaries of learning are extended - When you learn along a theme, there are always more avenues to explore and more questions to investigate. You naturally want to know everything there is about it, and we all know that one child who is completely obsessed with a certain TV programme, or game or book series or dinosaurs! Just imagine capitalising on that and opening up a whole new world of learning, that can keep growing and growing. In fact, you could build a whole curriculum of subject areas based on the one theme.
- Children learn how to learn - Lifelong learning involves building upon skills and knowledge over time, and through using their interests in a specific theme, children develop skills that help them learn how to learn deeply.
- It can involve the whole family - When you have a theme, the whole family can get involved in some way. When specifically talking about Pokemon, siblings, parents, friends and wider family may know and have played Pokemon, or engaged with it in some way over the decades that it has been available. Many may have taken part in Pokemon Go when it came out, or as a family, you may decide to get the app and get out exploring new places with it.
Pokemon-themed learning
So what kind of things can you learn through Pokemon? You may not initially think of many different topics, but just a quick search on Outschool shows you that there are loads of different things that your Pokemon-obsessed child can learn about. Let's look at the different subject areas you can cover, with a quick round-up of some related classes on Outschool.
English
Using Pokemon as a theme for creative writing with or without themed story starters, describing Pokemon, reading the cards and other text in-game, tying in grammar and spelling with a Pokemon theme, are all examples of how your child could learn English as a Pokemon fan.
Here are some Pokemon-themed English classes on Outschool to give you some inspiration:
| Pokemon Grammar (A Pokemon Themed Flex Class) 6-11 year olds Let’s learn new grammar skills to understand the eight parts of speech. Pokemon fun awaits in this flexible schedule English class filled with fun Pokemon interactive notebook activities. |
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Pokemon Card Creative Writing Club! 8-12 year olds In this weekly class, learners will learn different writing techniques and then use their cards to write stories and essays. |
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Create Your Pokemon Gym (Writing Class) 9-12 year olds You are now the Pokémon Gym leader! Now it’s time to choose your team. In this class we will be running our very own Pokemon Gym. Thoughts, ideas and plans will need to be placed on paper. |
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Pokemon Essay Writing | Research Paper |
Maths
A Pokemon theme for maths can be used in many different ways. It can be used to create equations and algebra problems, word problems and other puzzles. The stats of each Pokemon can also be turned into a fun maths-based game, and tapping into their interests is a surefire way to get them engaged in learning.
Here are some Outschool Pokemon-themed maths classes:
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Pokemon Multiplication Memory Maths Game Club |
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Pokemon Maths Dojo Escape Room 9-13 year olds There are 4 mysterious legendary Ninja Pokemon on the loose! Learners will need to sharpen their math and life skills as they try to escape the Pokemon Dojo! |
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Pokemon Maths Challenges: Grades 3-4 7-10 year olds Using the love of Pokemon to practice Math problems in their grade level |
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Pokemon Memory Maths Game: Addition Level 2 |
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Multiplication Battles! |
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Kindergarten Pokemon Maths Bingo! |
Sciences
When it comes to learning science through the lens of Pokemon, there are many learning opportunities! Outschool teacher Lauren Ard has developed a large range of Pokemon science classes, including classes on mammals, insects and arachnids, birds, paleontology, reptiles and more! Many of these classes are available as flexible schedule classes, meaning that there are no live classes and you can learn at your own pace. She also builds her live class schedule around parent requests so you can find the live version of her class and request a time that suits you.
Here are some of Teacher Lauren and other Outschool teachers' Pokemon science classes:
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Pokemon Science: An Introduction to Astronomy (Flex class) 5-10 year olds This intro to astronomy compares popular Pokemon anime characters to their real-life counterparts in space. Topics include constellations and mythology, stars, planets, exoplanets, aliens, moons, meteors, alternate dimensions, and wormholes. |
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Pokemon Science: An Introduction to Geology 5-10 year olds This basic introduction to geology compares popular Pokemon from the anime to real-life geology concepts. Topics covered include the layers of the earth, plate tectonics, volcanoes, the rock cycle, rock types, crystals, gems, and minerals. |
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Pokemon Physics: Work & Energy 8-10 year olds Students will learn about the physics concepts of work and energy in this one-time, Pokemon themed class. |
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Animals and Pokemon! The Science of Living Things and Zoology |
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Pokemon Physics: Force, Friction and Laws of Motion |
Geography & Mythology
Every Pokemon has a back story, and often they are related to a world myth or a geographical location. Once again, Teacher Lauren has several classes in these areas:
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Pokemon & Hawaii 6-11 year olds Explore connections between the Alola Region in Pokemon, and real life Hawaii! This class includes a combination of biology, environmental science, mythology, and Hawaiian culture, and how all of these topics relate to the Pokemon anime. |
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Pokemon and the British Isles |
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Japanese Culture & Mythology in Pokemon 8-13 year olds An exploration into how the popular anime series is inseparable from the history of the people who created it. Learn which Pokemon are inspired by Japanese culture and Japanese mythology (including yokai) in this four week class. |
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Pokemon & Greek Mythology (Flex Class) |
Art
One of the most widely-offered Pokemon subjects on Outschool is art and design, where your child can learn to draw their favourite Pokemon, or make it out of clay, learn about Manga and Anime art styles and get creative by designing their own Pokemon.
Here are a handful of Pokemon-themed art classes:
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Pokemon Drawing Club 2: Legendary Pokemon 6-11 year olds Each week we draw a new Pokemon Legendary character! So much fun for the Pokemon fan! This class is not for beginners. However, you are free to join us! |
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Art Club: Drawing Pokemon 7-12 year olds In this weekly class, students will learn how to draw Pokemon while socializing. |
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Clay Sculpting for Beginners: Pokemon Classics Club 6-11 year olds In this ongoing class, we will use clay to sculpt a super awesome classic Pokemon character each class. Students will develop fine motor, concentration, and problem solving skills all while chatting and sharing their favorite Pokemon facts. |
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Little Dreamers Character Art Extravaganza: Pokemon Series - Charmander 5-9 year olds In this one time course, students will learn basic cartooning skills as they draw characters from their favorite tv shows. Today, we'll be drawing charmander. |
Social Clubs
Last but not least, one of the class types that Outschool is well-known for when it comes to interest-based learning are the many social clubs you can find on a particular topic. When it comes to Pokemon, there are many social clubs and gaming clubs available. Here are a few to round off our Pokemon-themed focus for this article:
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The Pokemon Lounge 8-13 year olds The Pokémon Lounge is a social gathering where we will meet every Saturday to discuss everything Pokémon. The lack of fun cartoons to watch on Saturday morning inspired me to make this class for the younger generation. |
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Gotta Catch Em All! Pokemaniacs Social Hour! 7-12 year olds This is a weekly social hour for the Pokemon fan where we will socialize and discuss all things Pokemon. |
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Pokemon Exploration Club 6-11 year olds This learner-led group is all about Pokémon! Explore the science, mythology, pop culture references, and trivia behind your favorites. You can also show off your Pokémon knowledge, Pokémon cards, and also your own DIY Pokémon creations! |
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The Pokemon Card Collectors 7-12 year olds Please come in, relax and enjoy the Pokémon cards we all enjoy and love. |
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Pokemon Go Social Club 5-8 year olds This ongoing course is a place for young Trainers to get together and learn to play Pokemon Go and show off their weekly achievements, talk about Pokemon and just make friends! |
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Pokemon Go: Raid Squad 7-12 year olds Would you like to battle and catch 5 star and mega evolution Pokemon? Come join! We will attempt one raid per Recess Raid class. |
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Pokemon Scarlet and Violet: Let's Play! 10-15 year olds Join this weekly on-going class to play Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. Learners will interact in a social setting, share their Pokemon knowledge and battle/trade online! |
Phew! What a lot of Pokemon-themed choice on Outschool! And these are just a handful of classes that are all things Pokemon! Have you take a Pokemon-themed class and want to tell us all about it? Head over to our UK Families Community on Facebook and let us know!
