Minecraft for learning is a great tool for gamer kids! Here’s a parents’ guide to Minecraft in the classroom / how to homeschool with Minecraft, including Minecraft education lessons, worksheets, books and more education resources for teaching with Minecraft to keep kids learning beyond the game!
Using Minecraft for Learning In Homeschool And Classroom
Confession? I didn’t really get Minecraft as a parent before my daughter started playing. Once she showed me around the Minecraft game and I (tried to) play with her, I couldn’t believe all the things she was learning by playing this popular online game!
Is Minecraft good for learning?
13 Creative Ways Kids Learn With Minecraft:
- Mathematics: Create structures using specific measurements, calculate resources needed, and understand proportions.
- History and Geography: Build historical landmarks or recreate geographical landscapes to learn about different cultures and locations.
- Science: Explore biomes, ecosystems, and animals. Learn about basic principles of physics through block interactions.
- Architecture: Develop architectural skills by designing and building structures, understanding balance and aesthetics.
- Programming: Creating simple circuits and mechanisms introduces basic programming concepts.
- Teamwork and Collaboration: Join multiplayer servers with friends or people you know to work on projects, fostering teamwork and communication skills.
- Problem Solving: Encounter challenges within the game and figure out solutions, promoting critical thinking.
- Language Arts: Write and share stories, create signs with descriptive text, and engage in role-playing scenarios.
- Art and Design: Express creativity by designing unique landscapes, buildings, and pixel art.
- Resource Management: Learn about scarcity and resource allocation by managing in-game resources effectively.
- Creativity and Imagination: Encourage open-ended play to stimulate creativity and imaginative thinking.
- History of Architecture: Explore different architectural styles and time periods by recreating historical buildings.
- Citizenship and Ethics: Discuss and implement ethical considerations, promoting responsible gaming and online behavior.
Keep scrolling for the full Minecraft lesson plans and Minecraft learning resources for classroom and homeschool below!
Benefits Of Playing Minecraft:
- Improves STEM skills
- Helps with problem solving
- Practices math concepts
- Introduces coding and helps with Minecraft java learning
- Helps with teamwork and collaboration
- Facilitates creativity
- Engages students in learning
- Complements reading, writing, math
- Allows remote learning with friends for socializing
It’s an entire Minecraft school of learning for fun schooling!
MORE GAME SCHOOL RESOURCES AND FUN SCHOOLING IDEAS:
Use Game School To Rock Your Learning Plus FREE Printable Parent Guide
Games In Learning: How to Use Game Based Learning Effectively
Best Computers for Game School and Learning At Home
One Of The Best Learning Games We’ve Ever Used!
Free Typing Games to Learn Typing At Home
58 Best Board Games Recommended By Parents
Interactive Writing Games (perfect for Homeschool Language Arts Program)
Get a Virtual Scavenger Hunt
Celebrate Mario Day
How To Use Dominoes For Learning
Best Gamer Gifts For Kids (When You’re On A Budget!)
Minecraft Ideas for Education And Minecraft Lesson Plans
LEARNING NOTE: Don’t miss helpful Minecraft FAQs after this section — great for parents and teachers resources!
Minecraft Cool Math Games
Practice math using these fun Minecraft math resources:
- Math For Minecrafters Addition and Subtraction
- Fun-Schooling Math Mysteries & Practice Problems with Minecraft: Math Stories and Practice Problems 2nd, 3rd and 4th Grade
- Math for Minecrafters: Adventures in Multiplication & Division
Minecraft Reading and Language Arts
Make reading fun with Minecraft!
- Reading Success for Minecrafters: Grades 1-2 (Reading for Minecrafters)
- Reading Success for Minecrafters: Grades 3-4 (Reading for Minecrafters)
- Cursive Handwriting for Minecrafters
IMPORTANT GUIDE NOTE: We’re researching more great Minecraft resources and updating outdated information. Check back for the updates soon! We’ll be expanding the resources for Minecraft!
Minecraft FAQs for Parents And Teachers
Along with the fun learning with Minecraft tips and Minecraft educational activities, let’s cover a quick Minecraft review for parents FAQs and teacher information.
What is Minecraft?
Minecraft is a game-based learning platform / video game / online game that allows kids to build worlds, mine those worlds, and explore. Kids can play as a lone player or connect with friends online (multi-player) to explore each other’s worlds through their Minecraft account.
Is Minecraft a learning game?
Minecraft isn’t marketed as a learning game. However, kids can learn many things from playing Minecraft like coding, STEM, reading, strategy, communication and more!
What age is appropriate for Minecraft?
The age rating for Minecraft is 8-10+. There is mild violence and characters that may seem scary. Although kids can play Minecraft alone, there are multiplayer Minecraft versions that allow kids to connect with others online, so kids need to be old enough to be safe online.
Should I let my 7 year old play Minecraft?
The Mine craft game has a learning curve and can be complex, which may be difficult for younger kids. There are also Minecraft Enderman and Minecraft Creepers (the “bad guys”) and other minecraft characters that some younger kids may find aggressive or scary, but there isn’t any “blood.” However, you can play on Creative mode on the Peaceful setting for no conflict. As always, use your best judgment. You may want to play Minecraft with your kids to assess the game.
Is Minecraft safe for kids?
Is Minecraft OK for kids? The biggest thing about Minecraft is that on some versions and platforms kids can connect with other players online in the multiplayer mode. You should monitor your kids online play and make sure they know the rules about connecting with others through online games.
Is Minecraft a violent game?
There is some minor violence in Minecraft where characters can hit each other or “kill” animals (“non-realistic looking violence”). However, there is no graphic bloodshed or extreme violence. Mostly, players create and build worlds where they mine, explore and gather items.
Can you play Minecraft online free?
For educators, there is a minecraft learning edition where teachers and educators can use the game in the classroom for up to 10 kids for free. Once you hit the player limit, you will then pay a subscription cost for Minecraft. Great for distance learning!
Learn how to get Minecraft: Education Edition
Your kids can also play Minecraft online and on gaming consoles (like Nintendo and PlayStation).
What’s the difference between Minecraft and Minecraft Education?
Minecraft is an online game for anyone to play and includes multiple access platforms (like Java for PC play). Minecraft Education is based on the Bedrock platform and allows an entire classroom setup in one area for teaching and learning. All the kids in one class can interact in that area.
Can you play Minecraft on Chromebook?
Chromebooks run the Chrome Operating System (OS). There is not a Chrome version of Minecraft. However, you can play Minecraft for Linux that you download for Chromebooks.
►ALSO CHECK OUT: Best Computers for Game School and Learning At Home
WE HOPE YOU FOUND THESE MINECRAFT FOR LEARNING RESOURCES HELPFUL!
