Pacific Islands Minecraft Lesson (World + Worksheet with Instructions & roles!)

Pacific Islands Lesson: A Minecraft Adventure

Explore the Arrival of Europeans in the Pacific!

Embark on a journey through time and explore the impact of European arrival on a Pacific island. This Minecraft world allows students to take on different roles and experience this historical event firsthand.

Video tour available here:

Choose Your Path:

• European Settlers: Build a settlement, gather resources, and fortify your land while interacting with the Pasifika people.
• European Missionaries: Help both Europeans and Pasifika villagers, build churches, and discover hidden resources.
• Pasifika Villagers: Repair your cyclone-damaged village, fortify your defenses, and respond to the European presence.
• Pasifika Explorers: Navigate the vast ocean, discover new islands, establish settlements, and aid your home village. Try to find Australia in the distance, too!

What You’ll Do:

• Follow your role’s specific goals and challenges.
• Interact with other players (depending on their roles).
• Build, explore, and gather resources.
• Complete tasks specific to your chosen perspective.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the impact of European arrival on Pacific cultures.
• Explore historical events through interactive gameplay.
• Develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Foster collaboration and communication through teamwork.

Getting Started:

1. Download the Minecraft world from the provided Google Drive link (link not shown here for security).
2. Import the world into Minecraft and join the game.
3. Follow the in-game instructions and signs to reach your starting location.
4. Complete the goals and answer the reflection questions on your student worksheet.

Student Worksheet:

Name:

Date:

Part 1: Your Role

1. Who were you in the game (European Settler, Missionary, Pasifika Villager, or Explorer)?
2. What were your main goals and challenges?

Part 2: Exploration and Interaction

1. Describe the landscape and resources you found in your starting location.
2. Did you interact with players from other groups? If so, how?

Part 3: Building and Creating

1. What did you build or create during the game? Why was it important for your role?

Part 4: Reflection

1. What did you learn about the arrival of Europeans in the Pacific Islands?
2. How did playing Minecraft help you understand this historical event?
3. Based on your experience, what are some similarities and differences between the game and real life?

Have a fun and educational adventure in the Pacific Islands!

Teacher Notes:

• This lesson requires a computer lab with Minecraft installed on each computer.
• Download and set up the Minecraft world before the lesson.
• Use the “Classroom for Minecraft” app to manage players, pause the game, and teleport students.
• Refer to the provided game settings and handy gameplay hints for optimal learning experience.