This document discusses using the sandbox video game Minecraft to enhance close reading activities in the classroom. It proposes having students "live" out plots, settings, and themes of stories by building simulations in Minecraft to experience the narratives firsthand. This could impact how students read and understand the stories. The document provides guidance on designing such activities, including keeping things beginner-friendly, focusing on evidence over gameplay mastery, and using Minecraft as a prompt for prewriting and assessment. Examples of unit plans using Minecraft to simulate The Giver and other stories are also mentioned.

2. WHAT IF: Use of
Minecraft Enhanced
Close Reading?
ASTE 2016

3. Gamifi-ED
 Peer created collaborative experience
 Started with a tweet
 Grew to Gamifi-ED OOC
 Ended with an understanding of the characteristics of
quality games for education
http://gamifi-ed.wikispaces.com/

4. Need to Know
 Minecraft is a Sandbox Game

5. Microsoft Bought
MinecraftEDU

6. Givercraft
CCSS Literacy standards
Student created and teacher facilitated simulation
Week1: Captivity/Safety/Control
Week 2: Freedom
Week 3: Survival

7. Givercraft
Full Training Site:
http://survivalcraft15.weebly.com/

8. Why simulation?
What if…students could “live” a plot, setting, and/or
theme?
How does this impact the reading of a story?

9. Design
 Keep beginners in mind
 Forget mastering Minecraft play– Focus on use of Teacher Tools
 Plan for disruption (Creative Mode & avid gamers)
 Remember that the game is self-correcting
 Remember the resources are there – no need to generate them
 Remember that all students will play at their level – focus on
evidence.
 Minecraft is best suited for knowledge generation/prewriting
 Assessment with Minecraft as prompt/writing as evidence

10. There can always be
more
 Set healthy limits
 Stick with your start and stop times
 Allow students to work from home
 Use discussion before and after play to keep content
front and center
 Stay within your comfort zone where assignments,
assessment and play time are concerned

11. Teacher Tools
http://survivalcraft15.weebly.com/teacher-tools.html

12. Know your students
http://www.minecraftintheclassroom.com/

13. Be “In the Game”
Students whose teachers were “in the game” were more
on-task and presented less disruption
All you have to do is fly, observe and use the teacher
tools 

14. Trailer…
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNJNidjuuMA

15. Unit Plans
 Givercraft (The Giver)
 SurvivalCraft (MazeRunner and Lord of the Flies)

16. Let’s play!

17. Questions?