Check out this amazing video: Mesoamerican City Desert Paradise – Lego Fortnite Build.
In this build, we’ve created a fully functional Mesoamerican city in Fortnite Creative using Lego elements, incorporating areas like marketplaces, temples, and community spaces. It’s not just a fun experience but also a powerful educational tool!
Parents and educators can use Lego Fortnite to introduce students to ancient cultures, history, and social studies in a way that’s engaging and interactive. Here’s how it can be applied in the classroom:
🌎 Cultural Understanding: Students can explore Mesoamerican architecture, traditions, and daily life through immersive city builds. They can learn about how geography shaped civilizations and discuss how different cultures developed unique ways of living.
📜 History: While building or exploring cities like this, students can dive into the historical significance of places, learn about the role of different societal structures, and even replicate historical events.
🏫 Social Studies: This kind of play-based learning helps kids understand concepts like community, governance, and resource management, making abstract ideas tangible and relatable.
By combining play with education, Lego Fortnite offers a creative way to learn while fostering teamwork, critical thinking, and curiosity. 🎮🧱
Social Studies Lesson Plan: Exploring Mesoamerican Culture through Lego Fortnite
Grade Level: Primary/Middle School
Subject: Social Studies
Duration: 1-2 Class Periods
Lesson Title: Building a Mesoamerican City: Understanding Culture, History, and Social Structure through Lego Fortnite
Objective:
By the end of the lesson, students will:
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Understand the key aspects of Mesoamerican culture and daily life.
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Identify the functions of different areas within a city, such as temples, markets, and public spaces.
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Develop skills in teamwork, creative problem-solving, and critical thinking through interactive game-based learning.
Materials:
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Access to Fortnite Creative Mode (Lego Fortnite Build)
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A computer or tablet for each student or group
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Smartboard/projector to display the video Mesoamerican City Desert Paradise
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Printouts or digital resources on Mesoamerican civilization (maps, key facts, cultural aspects)
Lesson Steps:
Introduction (10-15 minutes)
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Discussion Starter:
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Ask students what they know about ancient civilizations and cities. Use guiding questions like:
“What kinds of buildings or areas do you think a city needs to function?”
“What do you think life was like in an ancient city?” -
Show a brief clip of the Mesoamerican City Desert Paradise build from Lego Fortnite to spark interest.
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Introduce Mesoamerican Culture:
Briefly explain key elements of Mesoamerican civilizations (e.g., the Aztecs or Mayans), focusing on their architecture, social structure, and cultural practices. Use visuals to support understanding.
Activity: Building Your Own Mesoamerican City (30-40 minutes)
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Exploration in Fortnite:
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Divide students into groups and have them explore the Mesoamerican city build in Fortnite Creative. As they explore, ask them to take note of different areas (e.g., the marketplace, temples, homes) and think about what each area was used for in daily life.
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Encourage collaboration: each group can focus on a specific area, reporting their findings afterward.
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Hands-on Building Task:
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After the exploration, each group will create their own functional area of a Mesoamerican city using Fortnite Creative. This could be a temple, a market, or even a communal space. Each group must explain why they included certain features based on what they’ve learned about Mesoamerican culture.
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Reflection and Discussion (15-20 minutes)
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Class Presentation:
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Each group presents their build to the class, explaining the purpose of the area and how it reflects Mesoamerican society.
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Discussion Questions:
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“What challenges do you think people in this city faced?”
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“How does geography (desert, mountains, rivers) influence the way cities are built?”
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Compare & Contrast:
Compare the students’ Mesoamerican city builds with modern cities. Discuss similarities and differences in how cities are structured and how communities live together.
Assessment:
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Evaluate students based on participation in group discussions, creativity in the Fortnite builds, and understanding demonstrated during presentations.
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Optional written reflection: Have students write a short paragraph about what they learned about Mesoamerican culture and how they used that knowledge to create their city.
Extensions:
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Geography & Map Skills: Have students create maps of their city in Fortnite, noting key landmarks and how geography influenced their design choices.
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History & Research: Assign a research project on a specific aspect of Mesoamerican life, such as religion, agriculture, or trade, to deepen their understanding.
By bringing history to life through interactive play, this lesson not only engages students but also helps them connect ancient cultures with modern social studies concepts.