UbD Template for MineCraft Edu Target Language Learning Activity

Stage 1 Desired Results

Proficiency Level Context
A1.2 Breakthrough (Basic communication in the most familiar situations.
The emphasis at this level is on continuing to help learners develop positive attitudes to learning and
using French. Guided conversation aids learners to express their ideas and when working with their
repertoire of words and structures, they can begin to connect ideas to form short messages or
complete messages.
Listening and speaking skills continue to be reinforced by exposure to French speaking and texts.
Learners respond through various forms of representation and the use of simple languages.
Learners can understand texts related to very familiar topic, supported by visuals and can derive
meaning by using a range of strategies when exploring very short texts
Writing at this level consists of short, connected statements about very familiar topics, supported by
models.
Transfer:
Students will be able to independently use their learning to navigate Minecraft Edu to further their
individual understanding of the target language
Students will understand that :
1. A new language can be used for personal enjoyment
and enrichment.
2. Every language and its culture are intertwined.
3. Self-evaluation of progress by comparison with earlier
performance goals is necessary to assess individual
progress in the target language
4. Self-awareness of language-learning strategies can
help to support language learning.
5. In todays increasingly globalized community, there
are numerous opportunities for learning about
language and culture.

Essential Questions:
1. How is technology useful in furthering the
enjoyment of a new language?
2. How is the target language different or similar to
English or other first language known?
3. What learning strategies can be used to support
the language learners understanding of the target
language?

Learners will :
Listening:

Understand, with support, key information I short simple, slowly and clearly articulated texts
containing very familiar language about common everyday situations.

Reading and Viewing:

Understand , with support, key information in simple texts containing very familiar language
about common, everyday situations

Spoken Interaction

Participate, with support, in very simple interactions about common everyday situations

Spoken Production

Present or read aloud, with or without support, using simple rehearsed statements about
common everyday situations.

Writing

Write short connected statements using familiar language about a variety of common
everyday situations, supported by models.

Strategies

Use language-learning strategies to support communication in the multiple skills of language

learning.

Stage 2 Assessment Evidence

Performance Tasks:
Students will Create a Minecraft Edu account for use for group
conversations and reflection activities

Explore the Minecraft universe in creative mode to

create a village using French vocabulary

Complete assignments and feedback activities

with guided questions to help debrief the learning
experience

Interact in the Edmodo community to discuss and

provide feedback

Performance Assessment:
Students will demonstrate self-evaluation by answering
guided reflection questions and by making comparisons to
progress in learning through navigation in the Minecraft
universe
Students will demonstrate understanding of grammar and
vocabulary by creating a labeled Minecraft world and
writing a script to accompany the presentation of the
students creations within Minecraft
Summative Assessment:
The students will provide a screencast demonstrating their
navigation of the created world using the Target language.

Stage 3 Learning Plan

Learning Activities:
Using the Minecraft Edu platform students will complete a series of quests designed to hook their interest and move
them forward into learning.
Description of assignments (click here for a link to the STUDENT PAGE)

The activity is set up using a quest chain involving three parts and a final assessment:
1. Tutorials Getting acquainted with Minecraft Edu- Students will be guided through some introductory
activities designed to help understand how to navigate successfully in Minecraft. These activities will
include videos, guided handouts and reflection.
2. Exploration of language learning tools available in Minecraft Edu: Students will be asked to use the
Target language interface to navigate in the world.
3. Creation: Students will work in Minecraft Edu to create and label a village. Students will be given a list of
required aspects (ex. City buildings/ House Labels/ Streets etc..)
4. Reflection Students will be guided through activities designed to consider quality reflection throughout
the unit lessons. Reflections will require students to set action oriented goals. Students will work as a
class to produce rubrics for both the reflection and the presentations parts of the activity.
5. Presentation (Summative Assessment): At the end of the unit the students will present a guided tour of
their Minecraft Edu village.

Sample Guided Reflection Questions:

1.
2.
3.
4.

Describe how you have spent your time this week.

Discuss in what ways you feel your language learning has progressed this week.
What have you done?
Set (or update) a goal to work on during the next Minecraft Edu exploration time.

Evaluation Rubrics: These documents will be developed with the class in order to create an ownership and
understanding among learners. Topics to consider will include:
Weekly Participation Reflection Rubric
Quality of Reflection: including original thought and consideration to the guided questions synthesis
of learning
Goal setting: including appropriateness of goal to students individual progression in the target lesson
and understanding of learning strategies Consideration of how goals build on previous learning
Participation: including group discussions and amount of time spent completing the exploration
activities regular active and timely involvement in the exploration/reflection process.
Final Summative assessment Rubric
Demonstration of Learning
Comparison and synthesis of learning (oral and written production)
Consideration to individual progress.
Demonstration of learning strategies

Minecraft Edu Target Language Learning Activity by Corina Summerfelt is licensed under a Creative
Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.