[Elaine Hayes]

I agree Geraldine, I love how efficient AI is in creating powerpoints that are engaging and tailored towards the interests and level of the class – along with features to differentiate for inclusion at the tap of a button. I enjoyed manipulating and using the AI tools and have a repertoire of ideas and resources for September, that will freshen up my teaching.

[Elaine Hayes]

Lesson Plan: “The Water Cycle – Minecraft Adventure!”
Class Level: Second Class (7–8 years)
Curriculum Area: SESE – Science & Geography
Strand: Natural Environments (Weather)
Strand Unit: Weather, Properties and Characteristics of Materials
Cross-Curricular Links: English (Reading), PE, SPHE, Digital Learning
Time: 1 hour
Class Size: 25 students

Learning Objectives
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

Identify and explain the four main stages of the water cycle.
Understand and use key vocabulary: evaporation, condensation, precipitation, collection.
Read, discuss, and respond to leveled reading material about the water cycle.
Work in pairs to match vocabulary to definitions.
Participate in a physical, game-based obstacle course to demonstrate understanding.

Resources & Materials
PowerPoint Presentation: Minecraft-themed water cycle visuals -https://gamma.app/docs/The-Amazing-Water-Cycle-in-Minecraft-8hqgdz313rjbhw3

Printed Water Cycle diagram
Twee Reading Material (simple paired reading text)
Vocabulary flashcards & matching definition cards
Obstacle course signs: “Evaporation Station,” “Condensation Cave,” etc.
Printed Minecraft Coins
Station question cards
Small Minecraft-themed prizes (stickers, bookmarks, etc.)
Timer, cones, bean bags, jump ropes
Chart paper or whiteboard for vocabulary

Lesson Structure

1. Introduction & Hook (10 minutes)
Activity:

Display PowerPoint Slide 1: Minecraft-style water cycle diagram.
https://gamma.app/docs/The-Amazing-Water-Cycle-in-Minecraft-8hqgdz313rjbhw3

2. Vocabulary Introduction (10 minutes)
Words to introduce:

Evaporation: water heated by the sun turns to gas
Condensation: gas cools and turns into clouds
Precipitation: rain, snow, or hail falls
Collection: water gathers in lakes or oceans
Cycle: something that repeats again and again
Activities:

Show PowerPoint Slides 2–6, each showing Minecraft-inspired images of one water cycle stage.
Use vocabulary flashcards to match the stage with its definition.
Students say each word aloud and act it out (e.g., stretching up for evaporation, falling down like raindrops for precipitation).

3. Partner Reading – Twee Text (15 minutes)
Activity:

Distribute short leveled reading material about the water cycle.
Pair students by reading level. One stronger reader supports the other.
Students read together, then answer 3–4 simple comprehension questions:

“What happens when water evaporates?”
“What comes after condensation?”
“Why is it called a cycle?”
Then they match vocabulary cards to the correct definitions from earlier.
Teacher Support:

Circulate and support struggling readers.
Revisit vocabulary and model reading as needed.

4. Assessment Game – “Minecraft Adventure!” Obstacle Course (30 minutes)
Setup:

Create 4 stations around the room or hall, each representing one stage of the cycle:

Evaporation Station – Jump 5 times and answer a question.
Condensation Cave – Crawl under table or tunnel.
Precipitation Path – Hopscotch with raindrops.
Collection Pool – Toss beanbags into “lake” buckets.
Each station includes:

A Minecraft-themed sign (e.g., block icons, creeper clouds).
A question card students must answer (e.g., “What causes clouds to form?”).
A bucket of Minecraft Coins for rewards.
Rules:

Students rotate in pairs or small groups.
For each correct answer, they earn 1 Minecraft Coin.
Bonus coin for teamwork or good vocabulary use!

5. Prizes & Wrap-Up (10 minutes)
Trade Time:

At the end, students count their Minecraft Coins and visit the “Prize Corner” to trade them for a small reward (Minecraft sticker, eraser, etc.)
Review Questions (Whole Class):

“Can someone name all 4 parts of the water cycle?”
“What happens in the evaporation stage?”
“Why is the water cycle important?”
Optional Extension:

Students draw or label their own Minecraft-style water cycle for display.

Formative Assessment:

Observation during vocabulary discussion
Partner reading comprehension responses
Participation in obstacle course stations

Summative Assessment:

Accuracy in vocabulary matching
Station question answers (verbal)
Effort and cooperation in “Minecraft Adventure”

Differentiation
Visual Supports: Diagrams, flashcards, Minecraft images
Reading Levels: Paired reading text adapted for mixed abilities
Movement-Based Learning: Active stations to engage kinesthetic learners
Challenges: Bonus “Expert” questions at each station for fast finishers

Follow-Up Activities
Art: Design your own Minecraft weather world.
English: Write a “Day in the Life of a Raindrop” short story.
ICT: Build a digital water cycle model in Minecraft Education Edition (as a follow-up lesson).

[Elaine Hayes]

I agree Claire, there definitely school be a whole- school collaborative approach to AI. I think CPD courses amongst staff is a great idea to ensure everyone is ‘singing off the same hymn sheet’ so to speak and generating more effective collaboration in this area.

[Elaine Hayes]

I would consult with the AI Teacher handbook alongside AI policies and school data protection policies prior to the lesson. I think it is important to inform students prior to our AI discussion – using examples i.e co-pilot image generator to convey the output is dependant on the input. The more detail in the prompt the more detailed and accurate the picture would be generated. Following our discussion on prompt engineering, I would model and discuss effective AI uses for children, educating them on bias. We would engage in a whole class discussion of various scenarios where AI is appropriately used and inappropriately used, coming to the conclusion it is a starting point on our learning journey.

I loved the newspaper article example and hope to use this idea with my senior class when analysing AI bias. I would print out two newspaper articles from opposing sides and in pairs students will highlight language that is bias and swaying the audiences viewpoint. There is so much scope for enhancing digital literacy. I think a whole class discussion is important to highlight the bias nature of AI and alongside teachers expectations of students in their AI usage.

[Elaine Hayes]

I alao loved the idea of using magic school AI’s maths stories. Children need maths to be relevant and have context, to aid their comprehenion and grasp of skills. The use of their names and generation of problems that is meaningful to them will bring the maths lesson to life and intrinsically motivate students. I hope to create maths problems using this tool based off all things Minecraft, GAA, and Dogman next year.

[Elaine Hayes]

 

Module three highlighted a wealth of new, exciting tools and resources that can be used in the classroom.  I particularly liked the idea of ‘diffit’ which will greatly enhance my differentation in the classroom. It is vital to further challenge our higher ability students and the use of higher cognitive questions, alongside the lower cognitive questions (which are generated in seconds)will help extend each students learning.  Furthermore, it will act as a means of assessment as all reading material and questions are tailored according to ability. I look forward to using this tool in my planning in the new academic year.

I also loved the idea of speaker coach – which is a tool beneficial beyond the classroom. I love giving students an assignment or project based on a topic we have studied in class. Speaker coach helps students build their confidence and highlights their strengths and weaknesses when public speaking. Often students ( and adults!) find public speaking daunting, this tool allows for practice with no inhibitions. Microsoft search coach and speaker coach will be two tools I will utilise this year during project work, and I am intrigued to see if they will contribute to a higher standard of presentations.

The final AI tool which I enjoyed was the co-pilot image creater.This tool will engage the reluctant writer and convey the vitality of adjectives and detail during descriptive writing. Often students do not see the point in detailed writing, this is a fun activity which acts as a game of sorts.  Using co-pilot image creater  we engage the students and keep them on task as they write as detailed as possible in order to portray the image as accurately as they can. In turn this improves their literacy skills and writing abilities.

• This reply was modified 7 months ago by Elaine Hayes.

[Elaine Hayes]

Hi Aine, I liked the idea of creating art too.I like using images as stimuli or ‘hooks’ throughout the year. This will save me alot of time searching aimlessly online for relevant, engaging images.  This feature alongside creating videos from written pieces will definitely feature in my classroom in September.

[Elaine Hayes]

I think AI has hugely transformative potential both for the teacher and learner. In todays classroom, differentiation is essential. AI provides teachers with the tools to plan effectively for each individual student. The teacher will save time and energy through using AI in their lesson planning and preparation, while students benefit as material is at their level and tailored to their need. AI allows teachers to modernise the curriculum and allows for endless opportunities and excitement in the classroom.
The minecraft education program and immersive reader were two tools that i will be henceforth using in my classroom. Minecraft education acts as an intrinsic motivator, drawing on students interests while building their problem solving and critical skills in subjects such as science, maths and history.
The Immersive Reader is a great literacy tool and confidence builder for struggling readers. The change of font/ spacing, and voice features would be beneficial both in-class and at home. I also like the idea of using AI as an assessment tool. It can generate topic specific questions quickly and efficiently and inform teachers planning. I am very new to AI and at times it can be daunting. Change can be daunting. A challenge I would find is the lack of screens or devices to use AI amongst my students. It is also vital to work alongside and be mindful Data Protection and GDPR policy in schools.

[Elaine Hayes]

I think AI has hugely transformative potential both for the teacher and learner. In todays classroom, differentiation is essential. AI provides teachers with the tools to plan effectively for each individual student. The teacher will save time and energy through using AI in their lesson planning and preparation, while students benefit as material is at their level and tailored to their need. AI allows teachers to modernise the curriculum and allows for endless opportunities and excitement in the classroom.
The minecraft education program and immersive reader were two tools that i will be henceforth using in my classroom. Minecraft education acts as an intrinsic motivator, drawing on students interests while building their problem solving and critical skills in subjects such as science, maths and history.
The Immersive Reader is a great literacy tool and confidence builder for struggling readers. The change of font/ spacing, and voice features would be beneficial both in-class and at home. I also like the idea of using AI as an assessment tool. It can generate topic specific questions quickly and efficiently and inform teachers planning. I am very new to AI and at times it can be daunting. Change can be daunting. A challenge I would find is the lack of screens or devices to use AI amongst my students. It is also vital to work alongside and be mindful Data Protection and GDPR policy in schools.

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