我的世界動物學：海綿、珊瑚和…海泡菜？ （12 歲以上）

>>>PLEASE READ BEFORE ENROLLING:
1. The live portion of this class is a 75-minute-long, lecture-based presentation, with Q&A breaks as time permits -- you know your learner(s) best, so please consider if the session length and format is a good fit for them. 
2. We will not actually be playing Minecraft together live in class. While individual students may choose to be on their games while attending class, this is NOT part of the class itself. Students are however encouraged to share in-game experiences on the classroom board before and after the live session!<<<

In this installment of Minecraft Zoology, we will be looking at three different kinds of ocean blocks -- the corals, sponges, and sea pickles! After meeting the cute cubey Minecraft versions, we will learn about their real-life counterparts -- all of which are indeed animals! Since they all come from lesser-known branches of the animal kingdom tree, this will give us a chance to learn a bit about just what makes an animal an animal; how differences in symmetry clue us in to how close to the base of the evolutionary tree each of these animals are; and why simply dividing animals into vertebrates vs. invertebrates leaves out an important part of the story (including our friend the sea pickle). 

This single session will consist primarily of slides and multimedia content accompanied by lecture, but there will be opportunities to ask questions as time permits, and the classroom board can also be utilized before and after class to engage in discussion about the topic. Additional resources will also be posted in the classroom after the live session ends to help further your understanding and study of both the species and concepts introduced in class!

Also, just FYI: I like using my Cool Science Words and exposing children of all ages to proper scientific terminology and nomenclature. I believe it's never too early for children to hear us using our "grownup" vocabulary. (That being said, of course I define these words when they first come up, and will provide supplementary vocabulary sheets in classes with a lot of subject-specific terminology.)

PLEASE NOTE: we will not actually be playing Minecraft live in class. While individual students may choose to be on their games while attending class, this is NOT part of the class itself. Students are however encouraged to share in-game experiences on the classroom board (screenshots of encounters, builds, etc.)!

Obligatory disclaimer to stay on the right side of Mojang's brand and asset usage: NOT AN OFFICIAL MINECRAFT PRODUCT. NOT APPROVED BY OR ASSOCIATED WITH MOJANG. CLASS CONTENT PROVIDED UNDER EDUCATIONAL FAIR USE PRINCIPLES ONLY. :)