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What is STEAM?
STEAM is an acronym that stands for
Science, Technology, Engineering, Art,
and Mathematics. This Halloween Minecraft math activity
integrates the Technology, Art, and Mathematics
components of STEAM.
What is Pixel Art?
Think back to the early days of video games. Do you remember how
'blocky' everything looked and how everything looked like they were made
from squares? Games like Pong, Super Mario Brothers, and Donkey Kong
were all pixelated... all very blocky. When children create
pixel art in Minecraft, they are using blocks to create an image...
a blocky, pixelated image.
Do you see all of the pixels in this screenshot?
When students create pixel art in Minecraft, they are practicing a wide
variety of skills. These skills include:
- color recognition
- counting
- patterning
- geometry
- graphing and grids
- problem-solving
- following directions
- fine motor skills
- visual-spatial awareness
- eye-hand coordination
- using technology
- maintaining focus and concentration
- critical thinking skills
When creating pixel art in Minecraft, students can either create their
own designs on graph paper or use a premade Perler bead pattern they
like. I used a Perler bead pattern for all of my pixel art designs
in today's post. (Thank you, Kandi Patterns!)
Small Pumpkin Pixel Art
This small Halloween pumpkin was very easy to make and is ideal for
beginners. It is 9 columns wide x 9 rows tall. To make this
pumpkin pixel art, your students will need 88 pieces of
orange wool, 26 pieces of white wool,
seven pieces of black wool, three pieces of
brown wool, and one piece
of green wool.*
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Black Cat and Pumpkin Pixel Art
This black cat and pumpkin pixel art is a bit more challenging and
requires a bit more concentration. It is 14 columns wide x 14 rows
tall. Your students will need 96 pieces of black wool, 53 pieces of
white wool, 40 pieces of
orange wool, six pieces of
green wool, and one piece of
pink wool.*
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Candy Bucket Pixel Art
Don't let the simplicity of this Halloween candy bucket fool you. It is
19 columns wide and 21 rows tall. Your students will need 188
orange pieces of wool, 117
white pieces of wool, 65 black pieces of wool, seven
brown pieces of wool, four
red and white pieces of wool, two
green and
blue pieces of wool, one
yellow and
purple piece of wool.*
After creating this candy bucket pixel art horizontally on the
ground, I wasn't up for making a second one! If you or your students feel
ambitious and want to try making a vertical candy bucket... go for it...
and let me know how it goes!
*Wool in Minecraft can be harvested from the sheep and dyed in
survival mode or found in the crafting menu in creative mode. If
time is an issue, I'd suggest using creative mode in class.
Did you enjoy reading about this Halloween pixel art activity? If so, check out these posts for more Minecraft and Halloween
ideas:
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