8-10 yrs old
Math & Economics
Students will build roads that are 0.2 kilometers long and write equations to figure out how many blocks they will need.
July 17, 2020
Minecraft World File
Download the world and open with Minecraft: Education Edition.
Common Core Standard Link 5.OA.A.1
Common Core Standard Link 5.OA.A.2
Common Core Standard Link 5.MD.A.1
Common Core Standard Link 5.OA.B.3
Engage NY Link
Associated Engage NY module and lesson: module 2 topic d lesson 13
Associated Engage NY module and lesson: module 2 topic b lesson 3
Building Roads Worksheet
Student worksheet to support lesson.
Start by exploring these questions with your class:
Begin by loading the attached Minecraft world for Survival City Roads. It is recommended that students work in small groups of 3-5 people. For additional instruction setting up, visit our Minecraft Helpdesk article on How To Set Up a Multiplayer Game.
Step 1) Survey the Land
Open the world and have students explore the world and figure out where they would like there road to go. This should not take long and students can also talk about what kind of biomes and land structures they see.
Step 2) The Worksheet
Hand out the worksheet and work with students on how to write equations for each step. Begin with the problem of how many blocks we need to collect to build a road that is 0.2 kilometers long.
1 meter of the road will be made out of 2 whole blocks and 3 slabs. 1 whole block can be crafted into 2 slabs so slabs are a ½ a block.
Blocks could equal 2 times meters.
Slabs could be equal to the product of 3 times meters divided by 2
At the end of the worksheet the students must compare their equation to a fictional characters equation. The characters equation is correct so you can use that to help you understand how to write the equation for a road. (m=200 meter)
R= (2xM) + (3xM)/2
Step 3) Get the Blocks
Now that the equation have been written and solved, your students will now know they need to gather at least 700 blocks to build a road that is 0.2 meters. Students will get into groups of four and chose to be a lumberjack, a miner, or a sandman. Click the buttons on the NPC named Jude Washington and get your gear.
Lumberjacks collect lots of:
Miners collect lots of:
Concrete Workers collect lots of:
Step 4 Build Roads
All teams will be called to their village and groups will begin to make their 0.2 kilometer roads. The jobs are Block Placers, Slab Pavers, Land Levelers
Land Levelers:
Block Placers:
Slab Pavers:
1) The student was able to work in groups and build a 0.2 kilometer road.
2) The student was able to convert measurements between meters and kilometers
3) The student was able to write algebraic equations to help them find out how many blocks they will need to gather for the road.
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