First Minecraft’s Uncensored Library gave censored journalists freedom in the virtual world and then let kids vote on important issues through Build the Vote. Now through Lessons in Good Trouble, Minecraft teaches kids about social justice movements around the world.
Lessons in Good Trouble aims to share how global social justice movements influenced positive changes in society or in communities. It explores why social justice movements have occurred and the context and catalysts for these movements. Lessons in Good Trouble allows kids to meet key leaders of movements by interacting with them through Minecraft.
How Minecraft Teaches Kids About Social Justice Movements
Lessons in Good Trouble is inspired by Civil Rights leader and U.S. Congressman, John Lewis, and his idea of “good trouble.” It introduces kids to a Minecraft version of Lewis who takes them on a virtual tour of past and present social justice movements.
The journey through Minecraft takes them from present day learning about Black Lives Matter. They travel the world to London to meet the Victorian Suffragettes in London, Malala, Gandhi, Nelson Mandela. They also explore 1960s segregated America where Martin Luther King, Jr., and Rosa Parks embodied good trouble.
Minecraft teaches kids about social justice movements by beginning with one that is familiar- Black Lives Matter. This current event serves as a starting point for the social justice tour with John Lewis.
Meet Malala and Her Mission of Equality through Education
Then kids take a trip to Pakistan through the block world to meet Malala. They’ll learn how she spoke out against the Taliban who prevented girls from going to school. As they help her rebuild her school in Minecraft, they’ll learn about her mission to provide education for all.
Learn about Nelson Mandela and Apartheid
Next up is a journey to South Africa where players will be introduced to anti-apartheid leader, Nelson Mandela. Kids will use their building skills to create a monument that serves as a symbol for human rights and freedoms.
Travel to the Segregated South for Civil Rights Lessons Through Minecraft
Then it’s back to the United States to experience segregated America in the 1960s to be introduced to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. who embodied good trouble by speaking out and leading non-violent protests during the Civil Rights movement.
Minecraft teaches kids about social justice movements by Rosa Parks and her role in the Montgomery Bus Boycott too.
A trip to India lets kids learn about Mahatma Gandhi who inspired people around the world through boycotts, hunger strikes, and nonviolent marches. Kids have the option of building something to represent Gandhi’s teaching that can be exported for 3D printing or for an AR presentation.
Advocate for a Woman’s Right to Vote with the Suffragettes
Then it’s back across the pond to London in the early 1900s where women are getting ready to cast their first ballots. Through the Minecraft world, kids learn about suffragettes and women like Emmeline Pankhurst who were central in securing women’s’ rights to vote in public elections.
Through Lessons in Good Trouble, Minecraft teaches kids about social justice movements around the world by exposing them to different periods, important events, and people who have impacted our world. Kids will have an opportunity to reflect on how these important social movements impacted our world and how good trouble can build a good world for the future.
Lessons in Good Trouble was created by educators from Lewis’ home district with support from Teaching Tolerance.
For more information about Lessons in Good Trouble and lesson plans for elementary, middle, and high schoolers, visit Minecraft Education Edition.
No compensation was received for this post. Images are courtesy of Minecraft.
