Unit 3: Coordinates

8-10 yrs old

11-13 yrs old

14-18 yrs old

Computer Science

Learn about the three-coordinate grid represented by (X, Y, Z) coordinates and the difference between relative position and world position.

Submitted By: Minecraft Education

October 2, 2020

Lesson Plan
My Notes

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Skills

Critical Thinking
Project Based Learning

External References

Classroom Presentation

Coding with Minecraft 3-Coordinates-Presentation

Educator guide

Coding with Minecraft 3-Coordinates-Educator guide

Student workbook

Coding with Minecraft 3-Coordinates-Student workbook

Overview Video

Coordinates Overview Video

Learning Objectives

3A-IC-26 Demonstrate ways a given algorithm applies to problems across disciplines.
2-AP-13 Decompose problems and subproblems into parts to facilitate the design, implementation, and review of programs.
3B-AP-14 Construct solutions to problems using student-created components, such as procedures, modules and/or objects.
CT.L2-12 Use abstraction to decompose a problem into sub problems.
CPP.L1:6-05 Construct a program as a set of step-by-step instructions to be acted out.
CPP.L1:6-06 Implement problem solutions using a block-based visual programming language.

Guiding Ideas

All the following lessons are approximately 45-60 minutes, depending on how much time you give students to explore the coding activities.

Lesson A: Introduction to coordinates

Lesson B: Coding with coordinates

Lesson C: Automating actions with coordinates

Lesson D: Get creative with coordinates

Please review the Coding With Minecraft Educator Preparation Video and Educator Guide attached for additional details.

Student Activities

This unit covers how to move around in a Minecraft world with respect to the three-coordinate grid represented by (X, Y, Z) coordinates and the difference between relative position and world position. The unit includes two unplugged activities to demonstrate coordinates and relative vs. world positions in real life. Students get hands-on experience with guided coding activities to create a compass rose, design a tool that allows students to copy and paste entire structures, and herd sheep in the Minecraft world. In the final activity students synthesize their learning with a self-directed, creative MakeCode coding project.

Performance Expectations

By the end of this unit, students will be able to:

Describe the difference between relative coordinates and absolute coordinates in real life.
Identify their real-world position and calculate the position of a landmark or object relative to their position.
Describe the difference between relative player position and absolute world position in Minecraft.
Understand the importance of coordinates in coding and while playing Minecraft.
Alter the Minecraft landscape by coding with coordinates.
Design an original creative project to apply their coding skills in new ways.

Please review the Assessment Guide for additional details.