The Zoo
Investigate zoos and explore the role they play in animal welfare. Design and build an enclosure in a shared Minecraft: Education Edition zoo.
Updated: May 23, 2025
Learning objectives
Share information about their zoo enclosure with others
Use a range of sources to collect information about zoos
Create a detailed plan of an enclosure
Work collaboratively to build a zoo
Guiding ideas
Learners will collaborate to design and build a new zoo for their village in a collaborative Minecraft: Education Edition World. They will research zoos and recall prior knowledge of their visit to a zoo. Learners will decide which animal enclosure they want to build. They will use various ways to collect information about their chosen animal. Learners will present information about their animals using boards. Learners will create a poster to advertise their zoo. They will then write a diary of their day at the zoo. Introductory Questions:
- Have you ever been to a zoo?
- What can you tell me about that zoo?
- Why are animals sometimes kept in zoos?
- Can you work collaboratively to build a zoo?
Student activities
Research 1+ hrs.
- Learners will choose a zoo to research. This could be a local zoo or a zoo they have visited
- Learners collect information to support the design process of their zoo
Animal Research 1+ hrs.
- Learners will decide which animal enclosure they want to build. They will use various ways to collect information about their chosen animal. Learners consider why animals are kept in zoos and explore their habitats in the wild
- Learners use squared paper to create a plan of their enclosure
Building 2+ hrs.
- Teacher to launch a collaborative world, including rules on a board for collaborative building. Learners will be given a time when to join the world and commence building
- Learners follow their detailed plan to build their animal enclosure
Video Walkthrough 1+ hrs.
- Learners describe their enclosure and present information about their animal. Learners Flipgrid and the screen record information about their enclosure and share using an NPC
Poster Creation 1+ hrs.
- Learners create a poster to advertise their new zoo. They will need to present information on their zoo and use persuasive language to tempt people to come
A Day at the Zoo 1 hr.
- Learners spend a ‘day’ at the completed zoo. They can explore the different enclosures and learn about the animals. As they spend time in the zoo, they will take photos using the camera and write a diary using the book and quill
Performance expectations
Please see Lesson Support documents for details on Assessment and Expectations
Skills
- Citizenship
- Collaboration
- Creativity
Supporting Files
- The Zoo SoW and Lesson SupportThe Scheme of Work (SoW) provides an overarching view of the project and each Lesson Support document provides the granularity for each stage.
- The Zoo WorldA Minecraft world to use as a catalyst for the project