Elementary Coding
Coding Task 1: Peanut butter & jelly instructions
Students will be asked to write a set of instructions for making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Teacher will use instructions to make the sandwiches while asking students to make observations about the success of this. Students will be given a second chance to write a more complete set of instructions.
Coding Task 2: Code.org
Teacher creates teacher log-in on code.org to track student progress. Students create a log-in on code.org and add the teacher to begin their online course in coding. Students will continue to work on the code.org course for the next three weeks for the project, with the goal of completing all of the challenges by the end of that period.
Coding Task 3: Computational Thinking Activity
Students will describe a monster picture to a friend while the friend attempts to draw the same picture. The class will learn about computational thinking: naming objects to make it easier to convey information. Students will analyze the monsters for patterns, abstract similar details from the monsters, then use that information to create an algorithm (directions) for another team to draw a certain monster. Detailed lesson description here.
CODING TASK 4: Binary Code Activity
Students will respond to a challenge (based on a fairy tale story) in which they must create a code using only 3 symbols to represent 7 numbers and then decode the messages around the school. Students will be exposed to the idea of ‘binary code’ in which symbols can be on or off (1s or 0s) to represent a series of numbers. Lesson materials can be found here. Inspired by first lesson described here.
Coding Task 5: Introduction to Scratch
Students create a Scratch account at http://scratch.mit.edu/, then complete the tutorial.
Coding Task 6: Maze Challenge
Students design a game in which a character goes through a maze, and goes to the next level when it reaches the end. A team of three students tackled this challenge ahead of the rest of the class, then introduced the task to the class the following day and supported other students as they worked.
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Coding Task 6: Animal Welfare Challenge
What do pets need to be happy and healthy? Students create a video game using the variable function to simulate the needs of a pet. What will make a pet's hunger go up? What will make it go down? What will happen if it gets too hungry? What will happen if it eats too much?