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Minecraft for the Masses

Molly and I have been experimenting with some cross curricular action using the strategy based game, Minecraft. Part of our action research team was to find unique ways to use technology and writing together. It is a wonderful for enrichment, as well as a weekly activity that the kids love and enjoy. Engagement is extremely high. When the students know more than you, things can be daunting. However, it was easy to pick up and learn along with our students. Students are required to stay on task, provide evidence of their work using signs, and work in teams to foster positive relationships. Each component incorporates a writing piece. Next year, we hope to incorporate these types of activities quite regularly. The curriculum integration is astounding. I have provided useful links for further investigation. Below are some of the ways we are currently using it.

• Perimeter, Area, and Volume (Our first activity that we continue to build upon)
• Creating a model of Colonial Boston (Must include the various jobs we have discussed, period correct buildings and situations, and the Boston Harbor, Tea Ships, etc.) 
• Designing their ideal classroom (Opinion piece, writing)

Links: 

http://lessons4minecraft.com/ - Useful resource with lesson plans, ideas, and curriculum across grade levels.

http://gametrainlearning.org/teacherprograms/minecraft-workshop/ - Introductory Lessons

http://educade.org/lesson_plans/minecraft-math-area-and-perimeter - Minecraft Math, great video and explanation. 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2X0z6pjP70NdnI3Ri1BRWdnazg/view?usp=sharing - Here is our  lesson that we created using Area, Perimeter, Volume, and Fractions.

Any questions or suggestions please let us know. Feel free to add to the Minecraft folder in our Staff Google Drive! Here are a few of our projects. We are currently using Apple Air to present this in class for the speaking and language portion of our curriculum. Additionally, we would like in the future to have students upload creations/videos/etc. to a designated page. We are currently using screen shots. Wake County is heavily looking into Minecraft as a learning tool. We'll keep you updated! Thanks so much.

Book Trailers with iMovie

My students just finished reading the Historical Fiction novel by James L. Swanson titled, Chasing Lincoln's Killer. It was the perfect novel to integrate into our 4th quarter Social Studies topic of the Civil War and America's rebirth after it ended. After finishing the novel, we made "book trailers" to promote the book to other students. Here a couple of my favorites!

Book Trailer 1

Book Trailer 2

P.S. It is a great read if you have not read it.

5th Grade App Board

5th Grade created an App Board for kids to put their favorite apps they use in the classroom! Again, not sure why the picture uploaded sideways. I swear it looks perfect saved on my computer!

Tables into Graphs...and Vice Versa!

Students inputted data into tables via Excel and then linked their data to create a graph. This was part of our algebra unit when we were graphing equations and input/output tables. (Not sure why the picture uploaded sideways...#techprobs)

Questions Asked, Questions Answered with Quiz Maker

Mrs. Garren and Mrs. D'Elia collaborated with 3rd Grade Track 4 students to create quizzes to test their comprehension of non-fiction articles.  The students chose and read articles from Time for Kids on their ipads. They worked with partners do discuss facts they learned, questions they had and generated critical questions. Next they used the Quiz Maker app to create their very own quizzes for their peers to complete. The students all agreed that generating questions based on what they've read really helped demonstrate their comprehension of the article they read.

Socrative

This is my new favorite App/Website is called Socrative. This tool allows you to create multiple choice or open ended questions. It gathers the information and then creates a page with results!!!

I used this last week at a Math Center. Students had to answer open ended math questions! Be careful with open ended as you have to make sure you come up with all the possible correct answers!

It took me about 10 minute to create a 10 question quiz. You can even upload pictures into the question if there are any diagrams for science they need to see!!

For the results page I was able to see what percentage as a class we got right and who missed the question. You can either have the kids put their name or hide their identity!