Big Idea: Connecting Math Algorithms to Coding ; Coding and Composite Numbers with Scratch

Expectations:

Number

• B2. use knowledge of numbers and operations to solve mathematical problems encountered in everyday life

  • B2.6 represent composite numbers as a product of their prime factors, including through the use of factor trees

Algebra

• C3. solve problems and create computational representations of mathematical situations using coding concepts and skills

  • C3.1 solve problems and create computational representations of mathematical situations by writing and executing efficient code, including code that involves conditional statements and other control structures

  • C3.2 read and alter existing code, including code that involves conditional statements and other control structures, and describe how changes to the code affect outcomes and the efficiency of the code

  • C4 apply the process of mathematical modelling to represent, analyze, make predictions, and provide insight into real-life situations

• C4. apply the process of mathematical modelling to represent, analyze, make predictions, and provide insight into real-life situations

Social-Emotional Learning Skills in Mathematics and the Mathematical Processes

• A1. Throughout this grade, in order to promote a positive identity as a math learner, to foster well-being and the ability to learn, build resilience, and thrive, students will apply, to the best of their ability, a variety of social-emotional learning skills to support their use of the mathematical processes and their learning in connection with the expectations in the other five strands of the mathematics curriculum.

• In this lesson, to the best of their ability, students will learn to recognize sources of stress and cope with challenges and build relationships and communicate effectively as they apply the mathematical processes problem solving (develop, select, and apply problem-solving strategies) and reflecting (demonstrate that as they solve problems, they are pausing, looking back, and monitoring their thinking to help clarify their understanding), so they can work through challenging math problems, understanding that their resourcefulness in using various strategies to respond to stress is helping them build personal resilience, and so they can work collaboratively on math problems – expressing their thinking, listening to the thinking of others, and practising inclusivity – and in that way fostering healthy relationships.

teacher background

• Number: composite number, prime factors and factor trees

• Coding: Students may learn about conditional statements with these lessons or consolidate previous incidental learning regarding conditional statements.

• Prior Learning about Scratch Coding:

  1. Experience with coding in Scratch or other block coding will be helpful for this lesson. However, for each project, there are

  2. links to files with screenshots and written instructions for various aspects of Scratch coding. For example, How to use the Paint Editor; How to make a Variable; How to make a List; and The MOD operator block. Teachers and students should use as much or as little as they need.

Background Information for MOD Reporter Operator block

The MOD block tests for divisibility. An example of how to teach students what happens “inside” the block is given in this file.

Extensions Suggestions for extensions classified as simple, medium, and difficult for students to continue to learn to code.

Students take the blocks identified in Part 2 and create their own project to identify factors of composite numbers. The Starter project lists suggested blocks students can use.

Scratch Project - Factors for Composite Numbers STARTER Project

Recap and Consolidation for Integer Lessons provides key ideas scripted for the teacher to use in part or as a whole. It can be used and repeated throughout the series of lessons including this one about prime and composite numbers.

5 Things I Learned is a classic Scratch project that can be used across multiple subject areas as evidence OF learning or to consolidate learning. Think of it as a coding presentation or slide deck. It is one of 24 Starter Projects from the Scratch Team.

Scratch Starter Project: Make a 5 Things I Learned about Integers

YouTube project with a Makey Makey

Here is a YouTube video of students making a number board and recording information regarding specific numbers. To use this idea with this Composite Numbers lesson, you could have one square on the number board labelled 48 and record &/or display the information about the Composite factors of 48. The information will be activated when a connection is made from a post on the back of that number to a key point on a Makey Makey.

The checklist below can be used by students to track their use of Scratch coding elements or used by teachers to assess student projects.

Checklist for Evaluating a Project -Editable Version

Questions for Coding in General

Questions to Assess For learning As learning Of learning Factors Lesson