Past Themes:

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Our Excellent Adventure

Done in 2007-2008.

Taking a Bill & Ted approach to discover how we can use the knowledge of the past to create an excellent future. We “kidnap” historical figures from all over the world and then learn about them, their time, and their place. We learn about conquerors, contributors, explorers, and liberators such as Joan of Arc, Gandhi, Abraham Lincoln, Napoleon, Genghis Khan, Billy the Kid, Beethoven, and Socrates.

“We can change tomorrow. It comes around so fast,

With one foot in the future. One foot in the past.”

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Raiders of the Renaissance Minds

Done in 2008-2009.

Patterned after Indiana Jones adventures, we explore the Renaissance era, space, transportation, communication, and the arts.

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Wishes!

Done in 2009-2010.

Inspired by the attractions at Disneyland, we leave today to explore the world of yesterday, tomorrow and fantasy. Visiting Disneyland is not required for taking the workshop and Minecraft classes.

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The Magic of...

2016-2017

Inspired by the Harry Potter novels.

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Learning Like Leonardo

Done in 2006-2007, 2010-2011, and 2017-2018

All about Leonardo Da Vinci

Leonardo da Vinci was interested in almost everything. This theme follows Leonardo's example of curiosity as the best learning motivator and explores a wide variety of topics, heavy on art and science. Topics include Italy, Renaissance, craftsmanship, art history, basic physics, flying machines, plants, animals, astronomy, geology, and weather.

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Heroes!

Done in 2018-2019

Explore the Hero's Journey through five classic works:

• The Odyssey by Homer (Tales from the Odyssey by Mary Pope Osborne)

• A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

• Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

• The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster

• Star Wars: A New Hope by George Lucas (The Princess, The Scoundrel, and the Farm Boy by Alexandra Bracken)

We could choose to use different books, at our discretion.

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Explore!

Done in 2012-2013 and 2020-2021

Based on "A Daring Guide for Young Adventurers" by Sir Henry Hardcastle. This theme is heavy in nature studies as we explore five unique biomes, including the desert, jungle, mountains, oceans, and the poles. In these places, we discuss survival, explorers, flora and fauna, lost treasures, and natural wonders.

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Crafting a Country

Done in 2013-2014 and 2021-2022

American History with a Minecraft Twist

 

• Colonial America

• Revolutionary Times

• American Timeline

• 50 states

• My Great State

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New Theme Ideas:

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Pokémon 

Inspired by the trading card game

Potential topics include:

• Types

  • Grass (plants & insects)

  • Fire

  • Water

  • Lightning (electricity)

  • Psychic (legends)

  • Fighting (geology)

  • Darkness (chemistry)

  • Metal

  • Dragon (dragons)

  • Fairy (fairy tales)

• Being a Trainer

• Energy

• Evolving as an individual

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Magic Tree House

Weekly topics based on the Magic Tree House book series

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Treasure Hunters

American history through the lens of the National Treasure movies. Possible topics:

• Declaration of Independence

• Benjamin Franklin

• Boston Tea Party

• The Constitution and the Bill of Rights

• The Great Seal of the United States

• American Geography and Landmarks

• The design and history of Washington, D.C

• Mount Rushmore

• Independence Hall

• Secret Codes and Ciphers

• Invisible Ink

• Lost treasures of history

• Real-life treasure hunters

• Role of Citizenship

• Preservation of History

• Maps

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Phineas and Ferb

Inspired by the Disney TV show

Heavy on science, possible topics include animation, comedy, England, Summer vacation, projects, platypus, secret agents, music, Ferb-latin, Platypus Day (Celebration), Acronyms, inventions, and any of the many inventions that Phineas and Ferb (and even Doofenshmirtz) make.

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Mr. Peabody & Sherman

based on the 2014 movie

Visit many historical greats:

1. Leonardo da Vinci

2. King Agamemnon

3. Tutankhamun

4. Albert Einstein

5. Mona Lisa

6. Marie Antoinette

7. Maximilien de Robespierre

8. George Washington

9. Abraham Lincoln

10. Bill Clinton

11. Isaac Newton

12. Odysseus

13. Ajax the Lesser

14. Spartacus

15. Benjamin Franklin

16. Mahatma Gandhi

17. William Shakespeare

18. Ludwig van Beethoven

19. Vincent van Gogh

20. the Wright Brothers

21. Jackie Robinson

22. baby Moses

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Go here to vote!!

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Past themes not available for voting this year:

• Time Travel

• Adventure at the Museum

• Steam World