Measurement Mini Game

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.4.MD.A.1 Know relative sizes of measurement units within one system of units including km, m, cm; kg, g; lb, oz.; l, ml; hr, min, sec. Within a single system of measurement, express measurements in a larger unit in terms of a smaller unit. Record measurement equivalents in a two-column table.
CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.4.MD.A.2 Use the four operations to solve word problems involving distances, intervals of time, liquid volumes, masses of objects, and money, including problems involving simple fractions or decimals, and problems that require expressing measurements given in a larger unit in terms of a smaller unit. Represent measurement quantities using diagrams such as number line diagrams that feature a measurement scale.

Guiding Ideas

Start the lesson by discussing the following prompts with your students:

1) Can we convert measurements from unit to a different unit, if so how?

2) What is the advantages of the metric system? How does it make changing units easy?

3) In what ways to you think measurements might be used in creating a video game?

4) How can a group move forward on a plan if they disagree on what to do?

5) How do we let everyone in a group feel like they are an important part of the team?

Student Activities

To begin, load the attached Minecraft world file for Measurement Mini Game.

It is recommended that teachers try out the world in advance, so they understand the layout. The lesson should take about two hours. The lesson is modeled after the Common Core Performance Task and can be a fun way to demonstrate mathematical thinking in the conversion and recording of units.

Warm Up

As a class, convert meter to centimeters and kilometers on a table.

Convert inches to feet on a table.

Talk about the advantages of the metric system.

Play the a Game

Intro this lesson by having students enter the world and play the example 120 Meter Mini Game. After they finish they will watch a video on how to game was built with measurements.

Blueprint

Download the attached Game Design Blueprint file and distribute the class.

As student finish the game and video give them their Blueprint packet to fill out.

1) Review a plan from a fictional character. Upon examination students should realize the plan's level measurements add up to more than 120 meter, rendering the plan impossible in the space.

2) Students will design a new plan in which the measurements of all five levels equal exactly 120 meters.

3) Students will map out their game level on their blueprint.

4) Students will convert their measurements from meters to centimeters and kilometers.

Group Work

1) Agree on a Plan

The teacher will put students in groups of five. The groups will:

a) Peer review their blueprints to check if the plan is possible or not.

b) The group will come up with one game plan they will build.

2) Build the Game

The teacher needs to enter the world builder command so the class can build and code in their game. to do this type /ability @a worldbuilder

a) Have the students divide the work between the group. The students will enter the world, choose an empty area and build their game.

b) The game is complete when the sections are build and all players can beat it.

Play Test

Students will play each others game and provide feedback on what they liked or how they can make it better.

Performance Expectations

1) The student was able to examine a plan for a 120 Meter Mini Game a determine if the plan will work or not.

2) The student was able to design a plan for a 120 meter long mini game with different levels. Students must know if their plan will work mathematically before building the game.

3) The student was able to use a table to convert the lengths of their level into centimeters, meters, and kilometers.

4) The student was able to work collaboratively to come up and execute one plan for a five level mini game that is exactly 120 meters long.