Lesson Plan: Minecraft Civilization Builder

Materials Needed:

• A computer with internet access
• Minecraft (Java or Bedrock Edition)
• Word processing software (e.g., Google Docs, Microsoft Word)
• Screen recording software (e.g., OBS Studio, Fraps, or built-in tools)
• Video editing software (e.g., DaVinci Resolve, Clipchamp, iMovie)
• Graph paper (physical or digital) for planning
• Access to online encyclopedias, libraries, or documentaries for research

Project Overview

Welcome to the Civilization Builder project! In this multi-week, cross-curricular project, you will become a historian, architect, engineer, and filmmaker. Your mission is to research a real-world historical civilization and then recreate a significant part of it within Minecraft. You will not only build structures but also document your process, explain your design choices, and create a video tour to showcase your work. This project is designed to be a creative application of skills across multiple subjects, not a test of memorization.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this project, you will be able to:

• Social Studies: Analyze the social structure, technology, and key architectural achievements of a historical civilization.
• Math: Apply concepts of scale, ratio, area, volume, and geometric principles to plan and construct a large-scale build.
• Science: Evaluate how the natural environment (biomes) and agricultural science influenced the civilization's development and represent this in your build.
• English/Language Arts: Conduct research, synthesize information into a written report, write a compelling script, and present information clearly.
• Health: Plan and manage a long-term project, incorporating healthy habits for screen time and ergonomics.
• Visual Art: Use principles of design (e.g., form, balance, texture, color) to create an aesthetically accurate and engaging representation of historical architecture.
• Video & Design Technology: Plan, record, and edit a high-quality video presentation, including narration and smooth camera work.

Project Timeline and Phases

This project is designed to be completed over 3-4 weeks. Below are the phases to guide you. Move at your own pace, but try to complete each phase before moving to the next.

Phase 1: The Blueprint (Research & Planning | Approx. 5-7 hours)

1. (Social Studies) Choose Your Civilization: Select a historical civilization that interests you. Suggestions include:
   • Ancient Egypt (The Pyramids of Giza, Temple of Karnak)
   • Ancient Rome (The Colosseum, a Roman Forum, an aqueduct system)
   • The Inca Empire (Machu Picchu, Sacsayhuamán)
   • Ancient Greece (The Acropolis of Athens)
   • The Khmer Empire (Angkor Wat)
   • The Aztec Empire (Tenochtitlan)
2. (Social Studies & English) Conduct Research: Gather information on your chosen civilization's:
   • Architecture: What were their most famous structures? What materials did they use? What were the key design features?
   • Society: How was their society organized (e.g., rulers, priests, commoners)? How did this influence their buildings?
   • Environment: In what kind of environment (climate, geography) did they live? How did they adapt to it?
   • Agriculture: What did they grow? How did they manage farms and water?
   Deliverable 1: Write a 1-page research summary. Include a bibliography with at least 3 credible sources (e.g., museum websites, academic articles, documentaries).
3. (Math & Visual Art) Create a Plan:
   • Decide which key structure(s) you will build.
   • Scaling: Determine a scale for your project. For example, 1 Minecraft block = 1 square meter. Calculate the dimensions of your main structure in blocks.
   • Layout: On graph paper, draw a top-down blueprint of your build site. Label key areas. Calculate the total area (in blocks) your project will occupy.
   • Resource List: Estimate the primary resources you will need (e.g., 5,000 Sandstone blocks, 500 Lapis Lazuli blocks, etc.). This involves calculating the volume of walls and structures.
   Deliverable 2: Submit your graph paper blueprint and resource estimate list.

Phase 2: The Build (Creation & Application | Approx. 10-15 hours)

1. (Science) Select Your World: Create a new Minecraft world. Choose a biome that closely matches the natural environment of your civilization. For example, a Desert biome for Ancient Egypt or a Jungle biome for the Aztec Empire. Justify your choice.
2. (Visual Art) Begin Construction: Using your blueprint, begin building. Focus on:
   • Accuracy: Replicate the shapes, layouts, and key features from your research.
   • Aesthetics: Use different block textures and colors to represent historical materials and create visual interest. Think about symmetry, patterns, and scale.
3. (Science & Health) Develop the Environment:
   • Build farms that reflect the civilization's actual agriculture (e.g., wheat fields near a "Nile" river for Egypt, terrace farms for the Inca).
   • Incorporate natural landscape features from your research.
   • Health Check-in: During this long building phase, be mindful of ergonomics. Take a 5-minute break every hour to stretch and rest your eyes. Ensure your chair and desk are set up correctly.

Phase 3: The Showcase (Documentation & Presentation | Approx. 5-8 hours)

1. (English) Write Your Script: Draft a script for your video tour. It should be 3-5 minutes long when read aloud. Your script should:
   • Introduce the civilization and the structure(s) you built.
   • Explain your design choices and how they reflect historical accuracy.
   • Highlight specific areas and explain their function (e.g., "This is the throne room, where the pharaoh would...").
   • Connect your build to your Math (scale) and Science (environment) decisions.
2. (Video & Design Technology) Film and Record:
   • Practice your tour route in-game. Use smooth mouse movements for a cinematic feel. Toggling to third-person view can be effective for certain shots.
   • Use your screen recording software to capture video footage as you walk through your build.
   • Record your voice-over narration separately for better audio quality.
3. (Video & Design Technology & English) Edit Your Video:
   • Combine your video footage and audio narration in your editing software.
   • Add simple title cards for your intro and credits.
   • Add unobtrusive background music if desired.
   • Review and trim your video to create a polished, final product.
   Deliverable 3: Your final video presentation.
4. (All Subjects) Final Written Report: Compile your work into a final document that includes:
   • Your 1-page research summary and bibliography.
   • A digital photo of your graph-paper blueprint.
   • Screenshots of your final build from different angles.
   • A brief reflection (2-3 paragraphs) on the biggest challenge you faced and what you are most proud of.
   Deliverable 4: Your final written report.

Differentiation and Extensions

• Scaffold Support (To simplify):
  • Choose a single, smaller structure instead of a large complex.
  • Build in Creative Mode to remove resource gathering.
  • Instead of a video, create a narrated slideshow using screenshots.
  • Work with a pre-selected list of 2-3 civilizations.
• Level Up (For an extra challenge):
  • Science/Engineering: Incorporate working Redstone contraptions (e.g., hidden doors, functional farm harvesting systems).
  • Social Studies: Build a "living" village with villagers and workstations that reflect the society's jobs.
  • Design Technology: Create a custom texture pack to make blocks look even more like the historical materials.
  • English: Write a short fictional story from the perspective of someone living in the city you built.

Assessment Rubric