Lesson Plan

Grade/Subject: grade 6 Math

OUTCOMES FROM
ALBERTA PROGRAM OF
STUDIES

General Outcome: Use

direct and indirect
measurement to solve
problems.
Specific Outcomes:
3. Develop and apply a
formula for determining
the:
perimeter of
polygons
area of rectangles
[C, CN, PS, R, V]

Unit: Shape and Space Measurement

LEARNING
OBJECTIVES

Students will
demonstrate knowledge
of perimeter and area by
visually representing
them in Minecraft.
Ethical digital behaviour
within the world of
Minecraft.

Lesson Duration: 40 mins

ASSESSMENTS
(Observations, Key Questions,
Written Assessments, Performance
Assessments)

(as a student)
Observations looking for student
engagement in the game as well as
successful operation within gameplay,
as well as ability to create appropriate
area/volume/perimeters.

(as an educator)
Questioning looking for different
ways to use Minecraft in different
subject areas.

LEARNING RESOURCES CONSULTED

Resource #1: minecraftedu.com
Resource # 2 : http://connectedlearning.tv/building-learning-community-minecraft-server?
utm_source=Twitter.com&utm_medium=CLA&utm_campaign=September%2BReach

MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT

* Laptop computers with Minecraft installed.
* instructional handout.

PROCEDURE
Introduction ( 2 min.):
Hook/Attention Grabber: Work-sheet based math is super fun, right everyone? Hahaha yeah, not so much.
Today we propose a more fun way to learn and review measurement formulas: BY PLAYING A VIDEO GAME!
Advance Organizer/Agenda: Today were going to explore the game minecraft, learn how to play the game, as
well as use the game to explore some math formulas.
Transition to Body: first let's take a look at how the game is played.
Body (33 min.):
Learning Activity #1:. Pass out instructional handouts. Students will read the handout, log onto Minecraft
and begin trying to mine and navigate the tutorial area. Have students try one of the three activity suggestions
on the hand out. Once they feel they can accomplish at least one task on the hand out, they can progress to
the next activity.

Assessments/Differentiation: observation: walk around and offer feedback constantly during this task. Allow students who are
excelling to help others around them.

Learning Activity #2: Find the perimeter of polygons-using the formulas provided as a guide, students will
represent the perimeter visually in Minecraft using blocks.
Assessments/Differentiation: observation/feedback

Learning Activity #3: Find the area of rectangles-using the formulas provided as a guide, students will
represent the area of rectangles visually in Minecraft using blocks.
Assessments/Differentiation: observation/feedback

Closure (5 min.):
Consolidation/Assessment of Learning: Ask the students:
Wasnt this an engaging way to learn math?
Who found the math easy to demonstrate once you got a handle on the mechanics of the game?
How would you use minecraft to enhance learning in your subject major? Can you see why its so popular for
educators? Can you think of any potential challenges that could come with using minecraft as an educational
tool?
Students could become addicted
Potential for students to destroy each others buildings
Inappropriate texting
Show them the minecratedu.com website on the smart board to show the various resources.
Feedback To Students: Thank you all for exploring minecraft with us, you all came up with some amazing and
engaging ideas to use it within your own subject majors. GREAT JOB EDUCATORS!
Transition To Next Lesson: we will now have some time to explore minecraft on our own for a while. While
you're playing consider how you would implement the use of this game into your teaching.

Area and Perimeter

Using Minecraft
Can you represent area and perimeter correctly in the world of minecraft?
Lets find out!
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

Open the MinecraftEdu launcher

Select MinecraftEDu
Enter your name
Select Multiplayer
Select minecraft server Tutorial World
Select join server
Select student
Select Join world
Follow the blue line and read the instructions to learn how to navigate (detailed
instructions below).

Step 2: (once you have achieved a level of comfort navigating the tutorial world press
ESC ) To begin please open up Minecraft on your device and:

1.
2.
3.
4.

Select SINGLE PLAYER

Select CREATE NEW WORLD
Name your world
Select CREATE NEW WORLD

Instructions:
Represent the following rectangular areas and perimeters and take a screen-shot to
show your work. (each block in Minecraft = 1cm). Each question is worth
experience points, once students have accumulated 100 XP they have earned 30
mins of free time to play in Minecraft.
1.
a.
b.
c.

Can you make a rectangle with the perimeter of: 5 XP

22cm
30cm
16cm

2. Can you make a rectangle with an area of: 10 XP

a. 24cm
b. 18cm
c. 54cm
2

2
2

3. Can you make a polygon with a perimeter of: 40 XP

a. 28cm
b. 26cm
c. 42cm
4. Can you make a polygon with an area of: 50XP
a. 26cm
b. 39cm
c. 83cm
2
2
2

5. Bonus Round!!! Einstein Award (100 XP)

Can you make a triangle with an area of 6cm ?
2

Math formulas:
Rectangular Perimeter: P = L+L+W+W or P = L +W
2

Rectangular Area: A = L x W
Triangular Area: A = (L x W)

( L=length)
(W=width)
Controls and How-To Guide:
To move around:

To look around and change directions:

Use the touch-pad or mouse (if available)
Use the spacebar to JUMP

Up is W
Down is S
Left is A
Right is D
To Mine (dig for materials): aim the cross at a block youd like to collect, hold the mouse key or
press and hold the touchpad until the block breaks apart, walk over the loose pieces to collect
them.
To Build: Once youve collected some blocks, you can build a structure! First select the
material you want to use by pressing 1, 2, 3, 4 etc. then aim the cross where you want the block
to go, then double tap the touch pad to place the block (or mouse click).
To see all inventory in your posession press E (in creative mode, you have access to a large
amount of building supplies including doors,windows, lights and decorations)
To communicate with each other: (only works in MinecraftEdu multiplayer) type T and begin
typing your message.
TRY THIS: make a pool deeper so you can swim in it
TRY THIS: connect 2 or more waterways
TRY THIS: make a shelter for your family that has at least 50 blocks in it
Math formulas:
Rectangular Perimeter: P = L+L+W+W or P = L +W
2

Rectangular Area: A = L x W
Triangular Area: A = (L x W)
( L=length)
(W=width)
Resource links: (how to use minecraft in a variety of subjects and worlds)
services.minecraftedu.com/worlds/
services.minecraftedu.com/wiki/teaching_with_minecraft (has a list of outcomes)