They have a natural tendency to emulate what they see. If there is a respectable example around them, they will want to emulate. Maybe that carving class teacher was a realy cool dude.
Most important is to not stifle the passions that the children have naturally. My parent were this type. Constant nagging. "You spend too much time at your computer! You should be more like this other kid that plays sport!" or "Isn't that book too smart for you?" So I learned to hide my interests from them.
Ok, so maybe I don't need to worry about MineCraft. Sounds like the method should be more about introducing more stuff.
You remind me of someone I know who used to put a book inside of his textbooks because he was bored in class.
I think so. Maybe you could even play with them and they will like you more for it. Then after an hour be like: "damn, too much time sitting for me!" Idea being that it models the behavior. That would be kinda my style. Maybe also depends on their age.
Trying to think back about my school years, the coolest teachers were those who let us play and they were a respectable person. They could even be strict, but reasonable. The worst were those with a witch personality.
Admitedly, I do not have much experience with children, so you should not probably listen to me.
