Minecraft Woodsword

Chronicles: Into the Game! - A

Literary/Storytelling Device
Module

Prologue: How to Start a Story with a Cliffhanger!

Comprehension Questions:

1. Where do the four friends find themselves at the very beginning of the story?
2. What are the friends worried about in their underground burrow?

Focus Skill: Cliffhanger (a literary device used to create suspense at the end of a
chapter or story, leaving the reader eager to know what happens next)

Activity 1: Imagine you're playing a video game and the screen suddenly goes black,
or a monster appears unexpectedly right as you're about to complete a level. How
would that make you feel? Write 2-3 sentences about a moment in a game (real or
imagined) that felt like a cliffhanger to you.

Activity 2: "Cliffhanger Last Line" Challenge! You're writing the very last line of
dialogue or text that appears before a game's cliffhanger moment. Write three short,
impactful words or phrases that would create immediate suspense and leave the
player desperate to know what happens next. Think about what a game might say
right before cutting to black.

Chapter 1: Introducing Ash Kapoor! No Enemy Can

Defeat Her! No Walls Can Keep Her at Bay!

Comprehension Questions:

1. What is Ash Kapoor's problem at the beginning of this chapter?

2. What does Ash imagine her new school looks like?

Focus Skill: Character Introduction (the way an author introduces a character,

revealing their personality, background, and sometimes their role in the story)

Activity 1: Think about your favorite video game character. How does the game
introduce them? Is it through a cinematic, a special mission, or their appearance?
Describe how they are introduced and what it tells you about them in 2-3 sentences.
Activity 2: "One-Word Character Tags" Game! When a new character appears in
a game, often a single word or a short phrase pops up to describe them (e.g.,
"Warrior," "Mysterious Stranger"). For a new video game character, list three single
words or very short phrases that would immediately appear on screen to introduce
their personality, role, or unique ability.

Chapter 2: Hypothesis: Our Science Teacher Is from a

Post-Apocalyptic Future:

Comprehension Questions:

1. What is Ash's favorite animal and video game?

2. What job does Ms. Minerva ask Ash to take on?

Focus Skill: Foreshadowing (hints or clues given by the author about future events
in the story)

Activity 1: In many video games, you might find notes, hear conversations, or see
strange objects that hint at what's to come. What kind of foresadowing might a game
use to suggest that something strange is about to happen (like a teacher being from a
different time)? Give one example.

Activity 2: "Cryptic Clue Phrase" Activity! You've found a hidden note in a game
that's meant to foreshadow a future event or discovery. Write two short, cryptic
phrases (4-6 words each) that hint at something important without fully revealing it.
(e.g., "The moon hides a secret.").

Chapter 3: Science! Without It, There Would Be No

Candy:

Comprehension Questions:

1. What pact is Jodi considering breaking?

2. What do Morgan, Harper, and Po build for the science fair?

Focus Skill: Internal Conflict (a struggle within a character's mind, often involving a
decision or choice)

Activity 1: Have you ever had to make a tough choice in a game, like choosing
between two different paths or helping one character over another? That's an internal
conflict! Describe a time in a game where your character faced an internal conflict
and what you decided to do.

Activity 2: "Choice Words" Selection! Your game character faces an internal

conflict about a difficult decision. In many games, you see a few key words
representing your internal thoughts or options. Write two pairs of opposing words
that represent the internal struggle of a game character facing a tough choice. (e.g.,
"Loyalty vs. Power," "Truth vs. Deception.")

Chapter 4: Survival Mode + Untested VR Goggles =

It’s Probably Safe… Right?:

Comprehension Questions:

1. What project do Ash and Jodi reveal at the science fair?

2. What happens when Morgan tries to make their volcano erupt bigger?

Focus Skill: Dramatic Irony (when the audience or reader knows something
important that a character in the story does not)

Activity 1: The chapter title hints at danger, but the characters don't fully grasp it. In a
game, sometimes the player knows something the character doesn't (like a hidden trap
ahead). This is dramatic irony. Describe a time in a game where you, as the player,
knew something important that your character didn't know.

Activity 2: "Ignorant NPC Dialogue" Challenge! Imagine an NPC in a game is

about to walk into a clear trap, and you (the player) know it's coming (dramatic
irony). Write a single, confident line of dialogue from the NPC that shows their
complete unawareness of the danger. Then, write a single word or very short
phrase that represents what the player is thinking in response.

Chapter 5: Minecraft—Live in 3…2…1…! ! !:

Comprehension Questions:

1. What game mode does Morgan choose for the VR test?

2. What do the friends realize about the VR game after they're in it?

Focus Skill: Immersion (the feeling of being completely absorbed in a game or story,
as if you are part of it)

Activity 1: When you play a video game and feel like you're truly "in" the world,
that's immersion. What elements of a video game (graphics, sound, story) help you
feel like you're really there? Name one or two elements that make a game immersive
for you.

Activity 2: "Sensory Immersion Keywords" List! To make a game truly

immersive, designers focus on sensory details. List three specific adjectives or
short descriptive phrases that describe a sound, a sight, and a feeling that would
make a player feel completely "in" a game world. (e.g., "Rustling leaves,"
"Glimmering reflections," "Vibrating controller.")

Chapter 6: Counting Sheep: Cure for Insomnia! Fun

Group Activity!

Comprehension Questions:

1. Why do the friends want to find sheep?

2. What do they hope making a bed will allow them to do?

Focus Skill: Problem-Solving (the process of finding solutions to difficult or

complex issues, often a core mechanic in video games)

Activity 1: In Minecraft, finding shelter and making a bed is a key problem-solving

task. Think of a challenge or puzzle you've had to solve in a video game. Briefly
describe the problem and how you used your skills or resources to solve it.

Activity 2: "Crafting Recipe Keywords" Game! You're in a survival game and

need to solve a critical problem (e.g., make a healing potion, build a trap). List three
essential keywords that would appear in the crafting recipe or required items to solve
that specific problem. (e.g., for a potion: "Herbs," "Bottle," "Furnace.")

Chapter 7: Part Tree! Part House! Part Recycled

Material!

Comprehension Questions:

1. What does Jodi do back in the computer lab?

2. How does Morgan start to see the real world?

Focus Skill: Loss of Reality/Delusion (when a character struggles to distinguish

between what is real and what is not, often due to an intense experience)

Activity 1: Morgan starts seeing the real world as blocks. In some games, characters
might experience things that blur the lines between reality and the game world. What
could a game do visually or audibly to show a character losing touch with reality?

Activity 2: "Reality Glitch Status Effects" Activity! When a game character

experiences loss of reality or a delusion, it might be shown with "status effects." List
two short phrases or single words that could appear on screen as a "status effect" to
indicate your character's perception of reality is breaking down (e.g., "Blurry Vision,"
"Echoing Thoughts").
Chapter 8: Spiders: Don’t Call Them Insects! Don’t
Call Them Friends!

Comprehension Questions:

1. What kind of party does Ash have in her backyard?

2. What does Ash reveal about her treehouse?

Focus Skill: Symbolism (the use of objects, people, or ideas to represent something
else, often a deeper meaning)

Activity 1: Ash's treehouse symbolizes her past and her efforts. In video games,
certain objects or locations can also be symbolic. For example, a hidden ancient
artifact might symbolize hope, or a destroyed city might symbolize loss. What is an
object or place in a game that you think has a deeper meaning or symbolism?

Activity 2: "Symbolic Item Name" Challenge! In many games, an item's name

hints at its symbolic meaning. Pick a Minecraft item (e.g., "Enchanted Golden
Apple," "Nether Star"). Invent a new, more symbolic name for it (1-3 words) that
reflects a deeper concept (like "Beacon of Hope" or "Echo of Courage") rather than
just its function.

Chapter 9: Mining! Crafting! This Is What It’s All

About:

Comprehension Questions:

1. What do the friends decide to do to try and exit the game?

2. What creature attacks the group in the burrow?

Focus Skill: Rising Action (the series of events that build suspense and lead to the
climax of a story or game)

Activity 1: As the friends fight the spider, the tension in the story (and game) rises.
Think about a game you've played where the rising action gradually built up the
excitement before a big boss fight or a major event. What were some of the things that
happened to build that tension?

Activity 2: "Tension Building Keywords" Game! As the rising action builds

towards a major event in a game, the on-screen text or narrator's words often change.
List three single adjectives or verbs that would appear on screen or be spoken by a
narrator to signal increasing tension and danger as you approach a climax. (e.g.,
"Warning!", "Approaching...", "Intense.")
Chapter 10: Too Many Cooks! Not Enough
Cobblestone!

Comprehension Questions:

1. What do the friends discuss building as a home base in Minecraft?

2. Who does Jodi bring to the lunch meeting?

Focus Skill: Social Dynamics/Teamwork (how characters interact and work

together, or struggle to, within a group)

Activity 1: Building a castle requires teamwork, and sometimes that teamwork can
be tricky. In multiplayer video games, you often have to work with others. Describe a
time in a game where good (or bad!) teamwork made a big difference in achieving a
goal.

Activity 2: "Team Status Alert" Activity! Imagine a multiplayer game where the
team's social dynamics are struggling. Write three very short "Team Status
Alerts" (3-5 words each) that might pop up on screen to indicate problems within the
group. (e.g., "Communication Failure," "Conflicting Objectives," "Team Morale
Low.")

Chapter 11: Baron Sweetcheeks Is Loose. And He’s

Not Returning My Calls!:

Comprehension Questions:

1. What is causing the castle building project to fail?

2. How does Morgan feel about leading the project?

Focus Skill: Consequences of Actions (the results or effects of choices made by

characters, which often drive the plot forward in games)

Activity 1: Morgan's actions are causing problems with the castle and with his
friends. In games, your choices often have consequences. Describe a time in a game
where a decision you made led to an unexpected (good or bad) outcome.

Activity 2: "Consequence Notification" Design! Your character just made a major

choice in a game, and there's an immediate, noticeable consequence. Write a short
"Game Notification" (1-2 sentences) that appears on screen, clearly stating the
direct result of that choice. (e.g., "Reputation Gained: Allies trust you more." or
"Resource Lost: Your supplies are depleted.")

Chapter 12: Reintroducing: Ash! Avatar of

Exploration! Herald of Teamwork! Total Noob!:
Comprehension Questions:

1. Where are the friends stuck during nightfall?

2. What does Jodi insist they need Ash's help for?

Focus Skill: Character Arc/Growth (the transformation or development of a

character over the course of a story or game)

Activity 1: Morgan is starting to realize he needs Ash's help. This shows character
growth. In many games, your character might start weak and become powerful, or
learn new skills. How does your main character in a favorite game change or grow
throughout the story?

Activity 2: "Character Trait Upgrade" Activity! As a game character undergoes

growth, their core traits often "upgrade." For a game character, list two starting
traits (e.g., "Shy," "Clumsy") and then list two "upgraded" traits they gain after a
significant learning experience or challenge, showing their character arc.

Chapter 13: Your Home Is Your Castle! Your Castle Is

Your Home!:

Comprehension Questions:

1. What is Ash upset about when Morgan visits her?

2. What do the friends spot in the distance from their finished castle?

Focus Skill: Unveiling a Mystery/Plot Twist (the revelation of new and surprising
information that changes the understanding of the story or game)

Activity 1: The discovery of the missing headset and the obsidian "warning" is a big
plot twist or unveiling of a mystery. What's the most memorable plot twist or
surprising revelation you've encountered in a video game? How did it make you feel?

Activity 2: "Revelation Keyword Burst" Game! A major plot twist or mystery is

unveiled in your game. List three single, impactful words that flash on the screen as
this revelation occurs, signifying the sudden change in understanding. (e.g.,
"TRAITOR!", "ILLUSION!", "TRUTH!").