Materials Needed

• Minecraft (Bedrock or Java Edition) - Creative Mode recommended
• Graph paper and colored pencils
• A "Building Palette" worksheet (a simple list of block types)
• Timer (optional)

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, Albie will be able to:

• Define a "Palette": Select 3-4 block types that look good together.
• Create Depth: Use stairs, slabs, and fences to make a flat wall look 3D.
• Apply the "Rule of Three": Build a structure with a clear base, middle, and roof.

1. Introduction: The "Flat Wall" Challenge (The Hook)

The Scenario: Imagine you are a professional architect in the world of Minecraft. A villager comes to you and says, "Albie, my house is just a giant dirt cube! It’s boring! Can you help me make it look like a masterpiece?"

Discussion: Look at a basic 5x5 wooden box in the game. Ask: "Why does this look like a box and not a house?" (Answer: It’s flat, it’s all one color, and it has no shape). Today, we are going to learn the secret tricks pro-builders use to turn boxes into mansions.

2. Content & Modeling: The Three Pillars of Design (I Do)

Explain these three concepts simply:

• Pillar 1: The Palette (Color Harmony): In Minecraft, we don't just use one block. We pick a "team" of blocks. Usually, we want a Frame (dark), a Wall (light), and a Detail (accent).
  Example: Dark Oak (Frame), Oak Planks (Wall), and Cobblestone (Base).
• Pillar 2: Depth (The 3D Secret): Flat walls are boring! Pro builders "push" parts of the wall back or "pull" them forward. We use windows, flower boxes, and pillars to create shadows. Shadows make things look real.
• Pillar 3: The Base-Middle-Top: Every great build needs a foundation (stone), a body (wood/walls), and a hat (the roof!).

3. Guided Practice: Sketching the Blueprint (We Do)

Before jumping into the game, we plan! Using graph paper, Albie and the teacher will design one single "Feature Wall."

1. Pick the Palette: Choose three colored pencils to represent your blocks.
2. Draw the Frame: Draw a rectangle of "logs" on the edges.
3. Add the Depth: Draw a window that is sunken in by one block. Draw a "window sill" using a different color to represent a stair block.
4. The Result: Now we have a 2D map of a 3D wall!

4. Independent Practice: The Apprentice Build (You Do)

The Task: Albie will enter Minecraft Creative Mode and build a "Designer’s Cottage."

Success Criteria (The "Pro-Builder" Checklist):

• [ ] Use at least 3 different types of blocks (The Palette).
• [ ] Use glass panes instead of glass blocks (for extra depth!).
• [ ] Add "Support Pillars" on the corners that stick out 1 block from the wall.
• [ ] Use stairs or slabs for a roof—no flat tops!
• [ ] Add one "Nature Detail" (a leaf block bush or a flower pot).

Self-Correction: If the wall looks too flat, Albie should try to add a "trim" of stairs around the middle.

5. Conclusion: The Grand Tour & Recap

The Gallery Walk: Albie gives a "tour" of his build, explaining why he chose his colors and where he added depth.

Recap Questions:

• "What happens to a building when we add shadows and depth?"
• "If you were building a castle in a snowy biome, what blocks would be in your palette?"

Assessment

• Formative: During the "We Do" phase, can Albie identify which blocks contrast with each other?
• Summative: The final "Designer’s Cottage." Does it meet the checklist requirements? Does it move beyond a simple "box" shape?

Adaptability & Extensions

• For More Challenge: Ask Albie to incorporate "Interior Design." Use signs as chair arms or trapdoors as shelves. Try to build on a diagonal!
• For Support: Provide a pre-selected "Chest of Blocks" in the game so Albie doesn't get overwhelmed by the infinite inventory. Focus only on the "Frame" and "Wall" first.
• Real-World Connection: Look at a picture of your own house or a famous building. Can you find the "Frame," "Wall," and "Details" in real life?