My First Lesson

All Ages

Computer Science

Gaming

How do the basic elements of Minecraft work together? Students work through self-paced, directed and choice activities to explore and learn the game.

Submitted By: Phygital Labs

January 9, 2020

Lesson Plan
My Notes

Print Lesson Rework Lesson

Skills

Creativity
Critical Thinking

External References

Link to My First Lesson World

Download the Storytime Basic world that accompanies this lesson from the Phygital Labs library.

Link to My First Lesson lesson plan in PDF

Download the PDF version of the entire lesson, including specific teacher guidance for directed and choice activities, from the Phygital Labs library.

Link to My First Lesson Checklist

Download the optional checklist resource for student choice activities from the Phygital Labs library.

My First Lesson Notebook

This notebook, created by the Minecraft Education Team, is available to support any teacher using games-based learning in the classroom.

Learning Objectives

Students will learn to navigate, build, destroy, and use inventory items in Minecraft: Education Edition. Lesson goals: • To introduce students to playing the game in a productive, creative environment • To establish a basic set of skills that all students will know to be able to use the game most effectively

Guiding Ideas

Guiding question:

How do the basic elements of Minecraft work together?

Lesson overview:

The lesson and world file are an excellent starting place for teachers who wish to have a starting place for:

• A pre-assessment tool to determine student gaming knowledge in Minecraft: Education Edition

• A knowledge building tool for those new to gaming in Minecraft: Education Edition

Students "spawn" or enter the game at the beginning of a maze at coordinates 30, 151, 50. Students are greeted by Phygital Labs team members Stephen and Becky as NPCs (non player characters). Color-changing Phygital blocks direct the students where to go in the world, as well as paths and signs.

Student Activities

Part 1 – Directed activities in the game

Students "spawn" or enter the game at the beginning of a maze at coordinates 30, 151, 50. Students are greeted by Phygital Labs team members Stephen and Becky as NPCs (non-player characters). Color-changing Phygital blocks direct the students where to go in the world, as well as paths and signs.

Part 2 – Choice activities and exploration checklist

There are 12 locations throughout the world in which students can explore on their own and learn something new about the game features, mechanics, and inventory.

Optional: Distribute the paper or digital copy of the Phygital Labs My First Lesson Exploration Checklist. This helps students ensure they get to all of the locations and learn all of the skills while maintaining the student choice of which order they complete the activities.

Differentiate in a mixed-skill level class by having more advanced students create their own challenges for other students to complete in the game, then trade devices to complete them. Partner students who need additional support with more comfortable gamers as needed.

Additional content for this lesson available at phygitallabs.com/lessons.

Performance Expectations

Assessment for the activity:

Exceeds expectations

Student was on task and completed all activities inside the world. Student explored places in the world outside of the checklist and learned additional skills or features to share with others.

Meets expectations

Student was on task and completed all activities inside the world. Student helped others when appropriate.

Approaching expectations

Student was mostly on task or completed almost all activities inside the world. Student demonstrated a basic knowledge of Minecraft by the end of the lesson.

Needs modification

Student was off task or did not complete the activities inside the world. Student did not demonstrate a basic knowledge of Minecraft by the end of the lesson.