Minecraft Group Builds Socialization Skills and Teamwork

A new fifth-grade group at Alleghany Avenue Elementary School has been formed called Minecraft lunch meetings. The purpose of these gatherings is to bring the fifth-graders together for socialization, teamwork, bully prevention and their common interest, the popular computer game Minecraft.

During the meetings, the students eat lunch, share game-playing strategies, create Minecraft crafts and play the game in small groups. The groups emphasize cooperation, teamwork and friendship. Students do not play any version of the game that incorporates violence or anything inappropriate.

"I was surprised that almost 50 students signed up for the group,” said school social worker Florri Krefsky. “The fifth-graders are learning that they can play computer games in cooperative groups and not in isolation. Additionally, students need to know the importance of being involved in extracurricular school activities as they move onto middle school.”