A Friend of Mine
Experience: 1st year, 1st quarter
Practice: Creating computational artifacts, Testing and refining computational artifacts, and Communicating about computing
Concept: Algorithms and Control
Length: 30+
Overview and Purpose
Coders learn how to remix a project that introduces a friend, historical figure, or imaginary person. The purpose of this project is to introduce coders to remixing projects and to build on the understandings from previous projects.
Lesson plan
Overview videoProject Extensions
Suggested extensions
Make props move (30+ minutes, or at least one class)
8+ minute discussion and demonstration
Explain to the class that instead of having the props stay still, we can make them move around while one of our sprites is talking. Demonstrate an example of a moving sprite.
Bring up the code for the sprite and ask coders to chat about how it works with a friend. Walk through the algorithm and explain how the new blocks work. Specifically point out that we hide our sprite at the beginning, then when we receive a message we switch to the correct costume, move it to where we want it to start, show the sprite, make it move, then hide the sprite.
Discuss how in order to trigger this algorithm we can use one of two different types of message blocks. Demonstrate how to create and name a new message. Put a broadcast message block in the sprite that’s talking and use a when I receive message block to start the code when you want.
22+ minute coding time and 1-on-1 facilitating
Have coders copy down the framework for your code, but encourage them to customize their code to match their own project. Encourage peer-to-peer assistance and facilitate 1-on-1 as needed.
Resources, suggestions, and connections
Standards reinforced:
- 1B-AP-10 Create programs that include sequences, events, loops, and conditionals
- 1B-AP-12 Modify, remix, or incorporate portions of an existing program into one's own work, to develop something new or add more advanced features
Practices reinforced:
- Communicating about computing
- Testing and refining computational artifacts
- Creating computational artifacts
Concepts reinforced:
- Algorithms
- Control
Video: Make props move (4:59)
Quick reference guide: Click here
Create a “who am I” game (10+ minutes, or at least one class):
5+ minute discussion and demonstration
Explain to the class that instead of introducing the person, we can have a user guess who the person is after they hear the person talk about themselves.
To do so, we want to use the ask a question and wait block with a if/else conditional block to check if the answer is correct. Demonstrate this kind of code and ask coders to see if they can guess how it will work.
After they have a minute to chat about it with a friend, walk through the algorithm and explain how the new blocks work. Demonstrate getting the answer correct and getting it wrong. Point out it is important to test our code to make sure it works; for example, if the answer to a question is “yes,” what happens if someone writes “yeah,” “yup,” “sure,” “Yes,” or “YES?” We can create code that accounts for all of these possibilities.
5+ minute coding time and 1-on-1 facilitating
Have coders copy down your code, but change the question and answer to match their own project. Encourage peer-to-peer assistance and facilitate 1-on-1 as needed.
Standards reinforced:
- 1B-AP-10 Create programs that include sequences, events, loops, and conditionals
- 1B-AP-12 Modify, remix, or incorporate portions of an existing program into one's own work, to develop something new or add more advanced features
Practices reinforced:
- Communicating about computing
- Testing and refining computational artifacts
- Creating computational artifacts
Concepts reinforced:
- Algorithms
- Control
Video: Create a “who am I” game (3:55)
Quick reference guide: Click here
Note: When putting a block inside of another block, you need to place the left corner of the block inside of the other block. If you try and place the middle or right corner, it might not work.
Another idea: This process will only take a couple of minutes; however, they can repeat this sequence of code with different questions about the person to create an entire quiz.
Bonus challenge: Challenge coders to figure out how to allow more than one correct answer (using the “or” operators blocks in their answer).
Add even more (30+ minutes, or at least one class):
If time permits and coders are interested in this project, encourage coders to explore what else they can create in Scratch by trying out new blocks and reviewing previous projects to get ideas for this project. When changes are made, encourage them to alter their comments to reflect the changes (either in the moment or at the end of class).
While facilitating this process, monitor to make sure coders don’t stick with one feature for too long. In particular, coders like to edit their sprites/backgrounds by painting on them or taking photos, or listen to the built-in sounds in Scratch. It may help to set a timer for creation processes outside of using blocks so coders focus their efforts on coding.
Standards reinforced:
- 1B-AP-10 Create programs that include sequences, events, loops, and conditionals
- 1B-AP-12 Modify, remix, or incorporate portions of an existing program into one's own work, to develop something new or add more advanced features
Practices reinforced:
- Testing and refining computational artifacts
- Creating computational artifacts
Concepts reinforced:
- Algorithms
- Control
Facilitation Suggestion: Some coders may not thrive in inquiry based approaches to learning, so we can encourage them to use the Tutorials
to get more ideas for their projects; however, we may need to remind coders the suggestions provided by Scratch are not specific to our projects, so it may create some unwanted results unless the code is modified to match our own intentions.
Suggested questions:
- What else can you do with Scratch?
- What do you think the other blocks do?
- Can you make your project do ____?
- What other sprites can you add to your project?
- What have you learned in other projects that you could use in this project?
Similar projects:
Have coders explore the code of other peers in their class, or on a project studio dedicated to this project. Encourage coders to ask questions about each other’s code. When changes are made, encourage coders to alter their comments to reflect the changes (either in the moment or at the end of class).
Watch this video (3:20) if you are unsure how to use a project studio.
Standards reinforced:
- 1B-AP-10 Create programs that include sequences, events, loops, and conditionals
- 1B-AP-12 Modify, remix, or incorporate portions of an existing program into one's own work, to develop something new or add more advanced features
Practices reinforced:
- Testing and refining computational artifacts
Concepts reinforced:
- Algorithms
Note: Coders may need a gentle reminder we are looking at other projects to get ideas for our own project, not to simply play around. For example, “look for five minutes,” “look at no more than five other projects,” “find three projects that each do one thing you would like to add to your project,” or “find X number of projects that are similar to the project we are creating.”
Generic questions:
- What are some ways you can expand this project beyond what it can already do?
- How is this project similar (or different) to something you worked on today?
- What blocks did they use that you didn’t use?
- What do you think those blocks do?
- What’s something you like about their project that you could add to your project?
micro:bit extensions:
Note: the micro:bit requires installation of Scratch Link and a HEX file before it will work with a computer. Watch this video (2:22) and use this guide to learn how to get started with a micro:bit before encouraging coders to use the micro:bit blocks.
Much like the generic Scratch Tips folder linked in each Coder Resources document, the micro:bit Tips folder contains video and visual walkthroughs for project extensions applicable to a wide range of projects. Although not required, the micro:bit Tips folder uses numbers to indicate a suggested order for learning about using a micro:bit in Scratch; however, coders who are comfortable with experimentation can skip around to topics relevant to their project.
Standards reinforced:
- 1B-AP-09 Create programs that use variables to store and modify data
- 1B-AP-10 Create programs that include sequences, events, loops, and conditionals
- 1B-AP-11 Decompose (break down) problems into smaller, manageable subproblems to facilitate the program development process
- 1B-AP-15 Test and debug (identify and fix errors) a program or algorithm to ensure it runs as intended
Practices reinforced:
- Recognizing and defining computational problems
- Creating computational artifacts
- Developing and using abstractions
- Fostering an inclusive computing culture
- Testing and refining computational artifacts
Concepts reinforced:
- Algorithms
- Control
- Modularity
- Program Development
- Variables
Folder with all micro:bit quick reference guides: Click here
Additional Resources:
- Printable micro:bit cards
- Micro:bit’s Scratch account with example projects
Generic questions:
- How can you use a micro:bit to add news forms of user interaction?
- What do the different micro:bit event blocks do and how could you use them in a project?
- How could you use the LED display for your project?
- What do the tilt blocks do and how could you use them in your project?
- How could you use the buttons to add user/player controls?
- How might you use a micro:bit to make your project more accessible?
Differentiation
Less experienced coders
Demonstrate the example remix project or your own version, and walk through how to experiment changing various parameters or blocks to see what they do. Give some time for them to change the blocks around. When it appears a coder might need some guidance or has completed an idea, encourage them to add more to the project or begin following the steps for creating the project on their own (or with BootUp resources). Continue to facilitate one-on-one using questioning techniques to encourage tinkering and trying new combinations of code.
If you are working with other coders and want to get less experienced coders started with remixing, have those who are interested in remixing a project watch this video (2:42) to learn how to remix a project.
More experienced coders
Demonstrate the project without showing the code used to create the project. Challenge coders to figure out how to recreate a similar project without looking at the code of the original project. If coders get stuck reverse engineering, use guiding questions to encourage them to uncover various pieces of the project. Alternatively, if you are unable to work with someone one-on-one at a time of need, they can access the quick reference guides and video walkthroughs above to learn how each part of this project works.
If you are working with other coders and want to get more experienced coders started with reverse engineering, have those who are interested watch this video (2:30) to learn how to reverse engineer a project.
Debugging Exercises (1-5+ minutes each)
Debugging exercises
Why don't we ever see this sprite show up when he starts talking?
Why don't the drums appear with the message after the sprite talks?
micro:bit required Why does the sprite always say we have the correct answer even when it's incorrect?
- The current code (“any button pressed?”) will always be true, so it will only run the “if” code and never the “else” code
Resources and suggestions
Standards reinforced:
- 1B-AP-15 Test and debug (identify and fix errors) a program or algorithm to ensure it runs as intended
Practices reinforced:
- Testing and refining computational artifacts
Concepts reinforced:
- Algorithms
- Control
Suggested guiding questions:
- What should have happened but didn’t?
- Which sprite(s) do you think the problem is located in?
- What code is working and what code has the bug?
- Can you walk me through the algorithm (steps) and point out where it’s not working?
- Are there any blocks missing or out of place?
- How would you code this if you were coding this algorithm from Scratch?
- Another approach would be to read the question out loud and give hints as to what types of blocks (e.g., motion, looks, event, etc.) might be missing.
Reflective questions when solved:
- What was wrong with this code and how did you fix it?
- Is there another way to fix this bug using different code or tools?
- If this is not the first time they’ve coded: How was this exercise similar or different from other times you’ve debugged code in your own projects or in other exercises?
Unplugged Lessons and Resources
Although each project lesson includes suggestions for the amount of class time to spend on a project, BootUp encourages coding facilitators to supplement our project lessons with resources created by others. In particular, reinforcing a variety of standards, practices, and concepts through the use of unplugged lessons. Unplugged lessons are coding lessons that teach core computational concepts without computers or tablets. You could start a lesson with a short, unplugged lesson relevant to a project, or use unplugged lessons when coders appear to be struggling with a concept or practice.
Suggested unplugged lessons:
- An ELA centered lesson plan on using algorithmic sequences to write a letter.
- We don’t always know ahead of time what things will be like when we run our computer programs. Different users have different needs, and sometimes you will want to do something based off of one user's need that you don’t want to do with someone else.
List of 100+ unplugged lessons and resources
Incorporating unplugged lessons in the middle of a multi-day project situates understandings within an actual project; however, unplugged lessons can occur before or after projects with the same concepts. An example for incorporating unplugged lessons:
Lesson 1. Getting started sequence and beginning project work
Lesson 2. Continuing project work
Lesson 3. Debugging exercises and unplugged lesson that reinforces concepts from a project
Lesson 4. Project extensions and sharing
Reflection and Sharing
Reflection suggestions
Coders can either discuss some of the following prompts with a neighbor, in a small group, as a class, or respond in a physical or digital journal. If reflecting in smaller groups or individually, walk around and ask questions to encourage deeper responses and assess for understanding. Here is a sample of a digital journal designed for Scratch (source) and here is an example of a printable journal useful for younger coders.
Sample reflection questions or journal prompts:
- How did you use computational thinking when creating your project?
- What’s something we learned while working on this project today?
- What are you proud of in your project?
- How did you work through a bug or difficult challenge today?
- What other projects could we do using the same concepts/blocks we used today?
- What’s something you had to debug today, and what strategy did you use to debug the error?
- What mistakes did you make and how did you learn from those mistakes?
- How did you help other coders with their projects?
- What did you learn from other coders today?
- What questions do you have about coding?
- What was challenging today?
- Why are comments helpful in our projects?
- How is this project similar to other projects you’ve worked on?
- How is it different?
- What examples of conditionals can you think of at home that your family might use with you? (e.g., if you eat all your dinner, then…; if you don’t clean your room, then... ; if you get good grades, then…; if you fight with your sibling, then…’)
- More sample prompts
Sharing suggestions
Standards reinforced:
- 1B-AP-17 Describe choices made during program development using code comments, presentations, and demonstrations
Practices reinforced:
- Communicating about computing
- Fostering an inclusive culture
Concepts reinforced:
- Algorithms
- Control
- Modularity
- Program development
Peer sharing and learning video: Click here (1:33)
At the end of class, coders can share with each other something they learned today. Encourage coders to ask questions about each other’s code or share their journals with each other. When sharing code, encourage coders to discuss something they like about their code as well as a suggestion for something else they might add.
Publicly sharing Scratch projects: If coders would like to publicly share their Scratch projects, they can follow these steps:
- Video: Share your project (2:22)
a. Quick reference guide - Video (Advanced): Create a thumbnail (4:17)
a. Quick reference guide
