VOLCANOES:
Using MinecraftEdu
Paul Callaghan
Elizabeth Forward Middle School
401 Rock Run Rd
Elizabeth, PA 15037
412-896-2335 x-7771
[email protected]
http://www.efsd.net/webpages/pcallaghan/index.cfm
@mrcefms
CLASS POLL:
Have you ever played Minecraft?
RESULTS:
90
67.5
45
22.5
0
Yes
No
RATIONALE
•
Using types of volcanoes, volcanic activity
and volcanic landforms students will be
paired up to analyze through comparing
and contrasting features.
!
•
This lesson is a cross-curricular lesson
utilizing map skills to coordinate, navigate,
cooperate and create, with a partner,
several types of geographical features in a
MinecraftEdu world.
!
•
This activity address interpersonal,
auditory, visual, logical and kinesthetic
intelligences using what is quite possibly
the most popular game today.
LEARNING TARGETS
•
Recognize types of volcanoes and other
landforms created by lava, magma, and
ash.
!
•
Differentiate between landforms made
from lava, magma and ash.
!
•
Design and build landforms made from
lava, magma and ash.
!
•
Evaluate landforms through peer and self
evaluations.
MATERIALS
•
•
•
Computers with MinecraftEdu.
iPads with Edmodo for resources.
Apple TV for Airplay.
FOCUSING EVENT
•
List and describe the 3 major types of volcanoes
and other landforms created by lava, magma
and ash.
!
!
In the Focusing Event or “Do Now”, the students
are using a Post-Reading strategy to access prior
knowledge on volcanic landforms.
ANTICIPATORY SET
!
•
What blocks might you utilize in Minecraft
if you wanted to build volcanic landforms?
!
Minecraft is one of the most games played
today by students of all ages throughout the
world. Through asking about the types of
blocks they might use to build with in
Minecraft, they are looking beyond shapes
of the landforms to compare and contrast
color, structure and location.
INSTRUCTION
!
All of the following were provided on student iPads or on
Edmodo:
!
•
Instructions on how to use Minecraft was provided for students
unfamiliar with the gameplay and to those that need extra
support.
!
Guidecraft for Minecraft: A crafting guide for Minecraft.
•
!
•
Instructions and rubric to complete “Minecraft Mission One:
Volcanoes.”
MONITOR AND ADJUST
•
Each partner group visited their neighbors volcanic
landforms and suggested improvements to consider by
posting them on a sign near the landform.
!
•
Students were then given a specific allotment of time to
make any modifications to volcanic landforms.
CLOSING
•
In closing, the neighbors to the other side were then to rate
the volcanos landforms according to the rubric provided.
!
•
Students were then given the last few minutes to self
assess their own work in a reflective summary narrative
based on Learning Targets, which they will present to the
class via their iPad using the Apple TV Airplay.
INDEPENDENT PRACTICE
•
Students were given the homework assignment to research
and identify a real world example of one of the three major
volcano types and complete a Pic Collage on its location
and activity level.
ADAPTATIONS
For students that need more support:
!
•
Provided extensive instructions and modified timeframe to
complete work.
!
For students that need a greater challenge:
!
•
Students will formally present their Pic Collage.
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENTS
For student:
• MinecraftEdu volcano world.
• Peer suggested improvements.
• Peer evaluations.
• Self reflection summary narrative.
• Pic Collage assignement.
!
For teacher:
• Reflect and measure Learning Target objectives.
• Evaluate lesson and modify as needed.