Minecraft Construction: City Center

During their second lesson in Minecraft, students are asked to construct a city center based off of the city centers that we study when we explore Gilgamesh the Hero and ancient Mesopotamia.  Students work together to identify key elements that are needed for a city-center.  Groups used the following questions to guide their discussion and design:

Turning Your Farming Community into a City-State

After clearing land in your biome, you were able to develop the beginnings of your city-state. These farming settlements provide the food needed for your community grow. Improvements in farming techniques and methods allow for a division of labor. These new jobs and laborers are the fabric builders of your great city state. Analyzing this step in history requires you to document the efforts of these times. The question below will direct you in this endeavor.

Farming Community

            Describe the set-up of your farming community.

• What is the name of the river that it was built on?
• How did you change the physical features of your biome to suit your needs?
• What are the roles of people in your community? 
• Provide a general description of the location and dwellings.

Transition to a City Center

1. How will your farming communities be incorporated into your city center?

2. How will your city center design support the safety and development of your civilization?

Following the discussion, the Digital Maker constructs their city-center using their discussion to guide his/her building.  They are asked to focus on security and growth as they build. 

City Center Elements:

1. barrier
2. living quarters
3. water source
4. docks
5. palace
6. unique feature

Throughout the process, students documented their progress by taking pictures of their creations.  They also provided a written rationale to support their decisions and construction.