Does Minecraft Help Students Become Better Readers?

One word: Minecraft.

If a teacher says that word in their third, fourth, or fifth grade classroom, the students turn their heads, become silent, and are laser-focused on that educator. If you think we are kidding, we aren't! This game has been sweeping across the nation for the past few years, and the momentum doesn't seem to be slowing down.

Minecraft is one of the most popular games ever created for use on either a computer or gaming device. It's basis is the fundamental square shape building block that the main character, Steve, has control over in this virtual world. From building shelter, to growing crops, to even building portals to the Nether (don't ask us too much about this one!), this game awes its creator with infinite possibilities.

So from watching our own children play this game, we can already conclude that it involves math: logic and spatial reasoning. But one interesting thing also happened as our children played, it involved reading as well.

In a recent article published by Wired.com, Minecraft is helping the current generation of gamers increase their reading skills! Minecraft has released books that are called "handbooks" that allow children to read about topics such as: redstone, combat, the essentials and more. Since the game itself doesn't come with a tutorial, children are seeking out literature to read in order to experience the game at a whole new level.

Teachers are also starting to use Minecraft in the classroom to spark reading as well. A Minecraft-themed monthly reading log is an inspiring way for students to track their reading minutes to reach a goal. The students are genuinely excited to get each monthly reading log and to improve their reading each month as the school year progresses.

There is also a Minecraft Literature circle activity where students use Minecraft-themed daily jobs to help "dig" deeper into novels. Students have specific literature-based tasks each day that better prepare them to discuss literary elements. with their teacher.

As student engage in various literacy activities centered around Minecraft, there is no doubt that increased fluency and comprehension will occur. As long as the game stays popular with kids, it will also be a popular way for teachers and parents to promote the enrichment of reading skills too.

Who would've thought that two teachers would be writing a blog post in support of a video game? Well, the interest and motivation of our own kids has shown us that sometimes the popularity of a video game can be used in schools as a motivator to help students reading abilities too!