As the Age of Exploration dawned in Europe, Europeans began to arrive in the Americas. They quickly developed colonial ambitions for both North and South America. As time went on, major events such as the Boston Tea Party, First Continental Congress, and Revolutionary Ride began to shape the path that ultimately lead to the formation of the United States of America. In this course you will join us on an adventure through the early history of the Americas, concluding with the Underground Railroad.
Prerequisites: Student should be able to read complex chapter books and have a solid understanding of computer Minecraft. The $26.95 computer Minecraft.net game is required prior to enrolling in a course. NOTE: If you have a Windows 10 computer, please be sure to buy the Java Edition, not the Windows 10 Version of Minecraft.
Time Spent: Your student will spend approximately 4 hours per week on their assigned work and Minecraft gameplay.
Each week your student will have from Monday to Friday night to complete 4 assignments:
- Learn It – This is a learning activity that is made up of a combination of reading and videos. In many of the classes, an optional hands-on activity is also included in this section. This activity should take 30 to 60 minutes to complete.
- Quiz – The quiz is multiple choice, true/false, fill in the blank, and matching. There are 10 to 20 questions. The system will grade your quiz on submission. This activity should take 20 to 30 minutes to complete.
- Critical Thinking Essay – This is an optional typed response that challenges your student to apply the learning from the week in a creative way. This activity should take 30 to 60 minutes to complete.
- Project in Minecraft – This project is designed for completion on our Multiplayer Minecraft server. Projects vary from builds, to adventures, to experiments, depending on the topic of study. This activity should take 1 to 2 hours to complete.
- Redstone Project (when applicable) – This is an optional Minecraft assignment. A redstone tutorial will be provided for a machine that compliments the Minecraft project each week. This activity should take 30 minutes to 1 hour to complete.
Pick From These Great Series of Courses
Our courses are arranged into series. Each series will typically have 4 to 6 courses and the series is designed to take a full academic year. You are welcome to start at the beginning of a series or pick and choose the individual courses that are appropriate for your student.
High School Mathematics
Join us on an adventure through some of the most famous mathematical discoveries of history. On the first adventure in this series, you will immerse yourself in the Empires of the Caesars and find out what math had to do with some of the most amazing engineering and architectural wonders of the day. In the world of Minecraft, you will test your math skills as you build with arches, domes, and perfect proportions. Your building skills will be catapulted to the next level!
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Redstone Designers Series
What is redstone? How can it be used? What does it have to do with math, engineering, and the real world? This series will start with learning the basic redstone components and will move up to some really exciting redstone machines that will amaze your friends! Once you have mastered the basics, you can move on to the next level and begin designing your own redstone contraptions. Beyond that, begin to learn Binary Math, the language of computers, and put it to work for you.
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Astronomy Series
Even though humans have studied the heavens for thousands of years, we still know very little about the universe. As we continue to explore, we learn more about the stars, planets, and galaxies. Some of the things we find out are amazing, and others are confusing. In this course we will brush up against topics in both categories. Join us for what promises to be an “out of this world” series.
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Chemistry
In this introductory chemistry course, we will discover the amazing and exciting science of stuff. You will journey through the darkest reaches of space and the very veins in your body to discover all of the combinations of the elusive proton, neutron, and electron. Join us on this epic adventure into “stuff”! You can start in any session!
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Physics
Are you ready for an adventure into the basic concepts of physics? Join us as push the limits of Minecraft with our experiments. Will we discover that our blocky world can hold up to the tests of gravity, force, and momentum? Will our simple redstone machines work and follow Newton’s laws? This is the first course in a year long adventure into Physics that will prepare you for the upcoming Advanced Physics course offerings.
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Biology
Do you already have an understanding of the basic concepts of biology? Are you ready to begin the most revolutionary biology course in history? Come and learn about transport and respiration with us. What about photosynthesis, heredity, and what it all has to do with a madman named Gilbert Lewis? It’s all contained within. Join us and be prepared to be amazed!
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Psychology
Psychology is the science of behavior and mind! Join us as we take a look at how amazing our minds are and how they impact our daily lives. We will look at the many ways our minds can both betray and amaze us in this exciting and informative course
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Computer Science
In just a few short decades, computers have gone from mystical machines of science reserved for the elite few to basic tools of life used by over 3 billion people in the world today. Computers are so important in our lives today that there is a whole science devoted to the study of them! Join us as we learn about the history of computing, computer architecture, software development, and more!
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Ancient History Series
Begin with a look at the amazing works of architecture known as the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Next, visit the culture of the Middle Ages and find out why it was so often described as barbaric. As time turns forward you will explore the differences between modern myth and historical fact of the Viking Age. A continent jump will then take you to the Ancient Maya, a culture shrouded in some of the deepest mysteries known to archeologists. The grand finale will land you in the middle of the Pax Romana, or Roman Peace where you will find out that the idea of peace had very little to do with the realities of the time.
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World Traveler Series
Are you ready for an epic journey to every continent in the world? Which continent could have the title of “Most Important”? Which produces the largest portion of the world’s oxygen supply? Where is the Sahara Desert? You will answer these questions and discover even more amazing facts about each continent. As you study the geography, history, economics, culture, and famous persons of each continent you will earn the title of World Traveler.
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U.S. History Series
History of Gaming
Video games have become a way of modern living, but did you know that games have been played since the beginning of time? Join us as we discover the history and science of all things gaming including board games, card games, role playing games, video games and even sports!
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The United States of America
The U.S. Studies courses cover all 50 states. Learn geography, landmarks, history, and demographics of each state and then show us what you learned with exciting hands on Minecraft builds.
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ENGLISH
Creative Writing Series
Are you ready to spend a year creating your own restaurant chain, performing arts theater, Minecraft adventure map, and amazing fantasy world? Then the Creative Writing Series is the perfect outlet for your imagination and creativity. Join us as we build our language arts skills and put our word-crafting to the test in this fast paces writing series.
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Harry Potter Book Studies
Join us as we study the series that swept a generation and has become the best selling book series in history. As we study this series, you will enjoy the rich imagination of author J.K. Rowling described across the pages in a way that has engaged readers both young and old alike, and, as Harry progresses through his school years, the story around his life will deepen while getting richer and more perilous. Dig deeper into the topics touched on within these books in a magic filled adventure!
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The Chronicles of Narnia Book Studies
CS Lewis’most famous work- The Chronicles of Narnia have been loved by many for decades. Journey with us as we read and study these inspiring books and get to know Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy. Not only will we be reading the books but also digging deeper into aspects each book brings out. Get ready for the ride of your life!
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Inheritance Cycle Book Studies
With only an ancient sword, the brilliant-blue dragon Saphira, and advice from the old storyteller Brom, the young man Eragon sets off on a journey of destiny, magic, ancient glory, and love—a mythic adventure you won’t want to miss! As you explore the world of Alagaësia and think deeply about the story, you will ponder elements of an invented land, and practice real world critical thinking skills.
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The Hiding Place
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Biblical Studies
Armor of God
Ephesians 6:10- 18 tells us about the six items that make up the armor of God. What are they and how can we use them effectively in our everyday lives? Join us in this 6 week study and find out!
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Enrichment
Life Skills
These courses will help prepare you for the skills necessary for surviving in the modern world. From learning to study, to taking care of a home or car there’s sure to be plenty to equip you for life ahead.
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Horses of the World
“To see the wind’s power, the rain’s cleansing and the sun’s radiant life, one need only to look at the horse.” ~ Author Unknown
In this course we will look at all aspects of horses. We will study the long standing partnership between horses and humans. We will answer the question, what makes these powerful creatures so amazing and breathtaking to behold? We will study the mythical creatures that horses have inspired. Equine therapy, horse racing, and some amazing horses from history will round out this amazing study of horses.
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