Minecraft at DGE

Dear Families,

I am thrilled to announce the beginning of the 21^st Century Club at Dorothy Grant Elementary! In this very special club we will focus on teaching students the 21^st Century Skills they need as children of the information age. Specifically we will focus on the following International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) standards for students:

1. Creativity and Innovation
2. Communication and Collaboration
3. Research and Information Fluency
4. Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making
5. Digital Citizenship
6. Technology Operations and Concepts

The first phase of our 21^st Century Club will focus on Minecraft and game based learning. This opportunity is open to all 3^rd through 5^th graders as a distance learning experience. That means students will be connecting to the club from home. The following are required to participate:

1. Reliable home computer with MinecraftEDU Minecraft installed (MinecraftEDU will not be used after all, regular Minecraft will.)
   1. This is different than the commercial Minecraft client. The MinecraftEDU client will be sent to students in the club once all requirements have been met.
2. Reliable home internet
3. A Minecraft account ($26.95) or a MinecraftEDU account ($18)
   1. With commercial Minecraft, the account is yours to keep. With MinecraftEDU, you are borrowing the account.
4. Skype (for audio communication)
5. Edmodo (online classroom)
   1. Students do not need to sign up for another Edmodo account if they already have one.
   2. A group join code will be sent once all requirements have been met.
6. Permission slip with parent and teacher signatures

The Minecraft Club will take place on Thursdays from 4pm to 5pm. Our first meeting is Thursday, September 10th.

If you are interested in this opportunity for your child, please email me your child’s name and their teacher’s name. A permission slip will then be sent to them for completion along with further instructions.

Thank you!
Mrs. Ruiz
4^th Grade Teacher & Technology Coach
ruizmy@fusd.net
www.mrsruiz.net