Students will soon figure out algorithms are part of the many things they do everyday from planning their day, working on a project to writing code. An algorithm is a detailed step-by-step instruction set or formula for solving a problem or completing a task.
Students will take a sequence of events or steps for some process and create an algorithm. This could apply to any content area. They will display the algorithm in flowchart form. This activity can be modified for all grade levels and content areas.
Using characters from the Ice Age, students will develop sequential algorithms to move Scrat from one side of a maze to the acorn at the other side. To do this they will stack code blocks together in a linear sequence, making them move straight, turn left, or turn right.
In this lesson, students will use their newfound programming skills in more complicated ways to navigate a tricky course with BB-8.
In this online activity, students will have the opportunity to learn how to use events in Play Lab and apply all of the coding skills that they've learned to create an animated game. It's time to get creative and make a game in Play Lab!
Using characters from the game Angry Birds, students will develop sequential algorithms to move a bird from one side of a maze to the pig at the other side. To do this they will stack code blocks together in a linear sequence.
Using a set of symbols in place of code, students will design algorithms to instruct a "robot" to stack cups in different patterns. Students will take turns participating as the robot, responding only to the algorithm defined by their peers. This segment teaches students the connection between symbols and actions, the difference between an algorithm and a program, and the valuable skill of debugging.
Using characters from the game Angry Birds, students will develop sequential algorithms to move a bird from one side of a maze to the pig at the other side. To do this they will stack code blocks together in a linear sequence, making them move straight, turn left, or turn right.
Debugging is an essential element of learning to program. In this lesson, students will encounter puzzles that have been solved incorrectly. They will need to step through the existing code to identify errors, including incorrect loops, missing blocks, extra blocks, and blocks that are out of order.
In this series of puzzles, students will continue to develop their understanding of algorithms and debugging. With a new character, Laurel the Adventurer, students will create sequential algorithms to get Laurel to pick up treasure as she walks along a path.
This lesson will give students an idea of what to expect when they head to the computer lab. It begins with a brief discussion introducing them to computer lab manners, then they will progress into using a computer to complete online puzzles.
The students will learn coding skills with Colby, the programmable robot mouse. The students build a maze with the 16 maze grids, a 20" x 20" maze board, 22 maze wall and three tunnels that are provided in the kit. The students will program the sequence of steps and Colby will race to find the cheese. There are also 30 double-sided coding cards, 10 double-sided activity cards, a cheese wedge, and an activity guide to provide the perfect hands-on introduction to coding concepts. You can even add Jack the programmable robot mouse to race Colby!
Coding is a skill that all students need for 21st century careers. There are many neat new programs that teach the foundation for programming. The programs use blocks with commands that students connect together to achieve the goal.