Lesson 1: Getting Started

1. Project computer desktop onto a SmartBoard or projector screen.
2. Ask the students what they know about explorers and exploration. How do they think explorers felt when entering an unfamiliar land? How would they feel if they were given the opportunity to embark on a exploration of territory that is new to them.
3. Explain to the students that they will soon enter into a new world, The World of Naaya , where they will explore the Woodlands of the 1800s. During their exploration, they’ll learn new facts about animals, plants, and people and will have opportunities to interact and collaborate with one another. Ask if they are curious about what this environment will be like. Do they have any questions about what they’ll find there?
4. Explain how they will have opportunities to interact and collaborate with one another. Ask if they are curious about what this environment will be like. Do they have any questions about what they’ll find there?
5. Demonstrate how to log in to www.worldofnaaya.com with unique username and password. Encourage students to keep their credentials in a safe place, so others cannot use them.
6. Demonstrate how to customize an avatar by selecting gender, hair color, eye color, clothing, etc. Mention that the avatar can be changed each time a Player logs in.
7. Once the avatar is customized, show students how to use their mouse to move their avatar through the environment.
8. Describe the features of the Heads-Up Display and point out where students can find their map, backpack, leaderboard, etc. at the bottom of the screen.
9. Show them how they can view leaderboards and adjust sound settings at the bottom right of the screen.
10. Demonstrate how to use the map to travel from landmark to landmark. Remind them that the map cannot be used in Town or Naaya’s Forest.
11. Answer any general questions students might have but try not to share too much information. It will be fun for students to discover aspects of the environment for themselves.
12. Tell the students they will log in to The World of Naaya while you circulate to answer any questions.
13. Give them a challenge: Tell them to travel to find their way to Cabin area.

Give students an opportunity to log in, set up their avatars, and begin exploring the Woodlands. Set the expectations that students should not shout out information as they play, so that other students do not feel frustrated or anxious if they haven’t reached certain landmarks yet.

Don’t spend to much time discussing the Fact Files and other historical components, as that will be big part of the next lesson.

Circulate and guide any students who are having difficulty with any of the lesson’s objectives.

Have students log out of the game and join you for a class discussion. Ask questions, such as :

1. How would you describe The World of Naaya ? (Encourage them to use adjectives, appropriate to their grade-level.)
2. Was there anything you found challenging about playing this game?
3. Did you learn anything new today in The World of Naaya ?

The students’ answers will help you determine who might need additional guidance in the next lesson.

Ask the students to write a paragraph (5-6 sentences) about what it’s like to enter into a new, unfamiliar world. What makes them excited to play the game? Is there anything about the game that worries them (i.e. they won’t know what to do, etc.)? Encourage them to share their experience with their families. Students can make an entry in their Naaya journal if you have time to demonstrate this feature.