Objective:

Students will compare and contrast the adventures and experiences of characters from two different stories using story strips. They will develop computational thinking skills by decomposing stories into key moments, organizing the information sequentially, and identifying patterns and differences between the characters.

Materials Needed:

• Story strips (pre-cut paper strips)

• Markers, crayons, and pencils

• Two stories with distinct characters (e.g., The Tortoise and the Hare and Little Red Riding Hood)

Steps:

• Introduction:

  • Read aloud two stories with different characters and adventures, such as The Tortoise and the Hare and Little Red Riding Hood. 

  • Afterward, ask students, "How were the Tortoise's and the Hare's experiences different? What did Little Red Riding Hood face in her adventure?" 

  • Explain that students will work together to use story strips to illustrate and compare these adventures.

• Group Activity:

  • Divide the class into small groups and give each group two sets of story strips: one set for The Tortoise and the Hare and one for Little Red Riding Hood.

  • As students draw key moments from the stories, they will discuss and compare how the characters' experiences and challenges differed.

  • Encourage students to collaborate and share ideas on which events to include and how to organize them sequentially, focusing on how each character’s adventure was shaped by the challenges they faced.

• Building the Diagram:

  • Students will arrange their story strips side by side, visually comparing the events of each character's adventure. 

  • This process helps students develop and use abstractions, as they simplify complex events into key moments for comparison, decomposing the story into events.

• Testing and Refining:

  • After arranging the story strips, students will review their sequences to check for accuracy and clarity. 

  • They can add details or reorder strips to refine their diagrams before presenting to the class.

• Presentation and Discussion:

  • Each group will present their story strips to the class, explaining how the adventures of the characters were similar and different.

  • Lead a class discussion on how organizing story elements visually helped students compare the characters' experiences, emphasizing how sequencing and decomposition are important in both storytelling and computational thinking.

Equity and Access:

Provide pre-drawn story elements for students who may need assistance with drawing. Encourage peer collaboration to foster an inclusive learning environment and ensure that all students can actively participate.

Real World Application:

Relate the lesson to real-life decision-making and problem-solving, where comparing and contrasting experiences helps people understand different perspectives and challenges. Discuss how breaking down complex problems and organizing information step by step is a critical skill in many fields, including programming, teamwork, and conflict resolution.

CS Practice(s):

• Developing and Using Abstractions: Students simplify the stories into key moments, creating visual comparisons to understand the characters’ adventures.

• Recognizing and Defining Computational Problems: Students break down the characters’ journeys into smaller parts, identifying key challenges and organizing them sequentially.

Standard(s):

• CA CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.1.9

• CA CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.1.3

• CA CS K-2.AP.13

Objective:

Students will use ScratchJr to create interactive digital scenes that compare and contrast the adventures and experiences of characters from two different stories. Through this activity, students will analyze character differences and develop coding skills to illustrate their understanding.

Materials Needed:

• Tablets or computers with ScratchJr installed

• Two stories with distinct characters and adventures (e.g., The Tortoise and the Hare and Goldilocks and the Three Bears)

Steps:

• Introduction:

  • Read two stories aloud, such as The Tortoise and the Hare and Goldilocks and the Three Bears. 

  • Ask students, “How are the characters' experiences different? What challenges did they face?” 

  • Explain that they will create digital scenes in ScratchJr to compare and contrast the adventures of the characters.

• Group Activity:

  • In pairs, students will create two animated scenes in ScratchJr: one representing each character’s experience. 

  • For example, one scene could show the Tortoise moving slowly but steadily, while another shows Goldilocks exploring the bears' house. 

  • As they collaborate, students will share ideas and decide how best to illustrate the characters' actions and decisions.

• Creating and Coding:

  • Guide students in using ScratchJr coding blocks to animate their scenes. 

  • For example, they can program the Hare to run fast and stop to rest, while Goldilocks tries the bears' beds. 

  • By creating computational artifacts, students learn how coding can be used to model different adventures and experiences.

• Testing and Refining:

  • Once the animations are created, students will test their ScratchJr scenes to ensure the characters' actions correctly illustrate the comparisons. 

  • They will refine their projects by adjusting the coding blocks or adding more detail as needed.

• Presentation and Discussion:

  • Each pair will present their animated scenes to the class, explaining how the characters' experiences are similar or different. 

  • Students will communicate about their coding process, sharing how they used ScratchJr to solve the problem of visualizing these comparisons.

Equity and Access:

Provide pre-made ScratchJr templates for students who need extra support, and encourage collaboration by pairing students with varying levels of coding experience to foster an inclusive learning environment.

Real World Application:

Comparing experiences and understanding different perspectives is an essential skill, whether working on a team, solving problems, or understanding various viewpoints in discussions. By using ScratchJr to animate character comparisons, students learn how to visually represent ideas, which is similar to creating digital presentations or designing solutions in many fields like graphic design, advertising, and user experience. Coding teaches them to break down complex ideas into simpler components, a skill that is valuable in planning, organizing projects, or even writing stories. This digital communication mirrors real-world scenarios where visual tools and coding are used to convey information and ideas.

CS Practice(s):

• Collaborating Around Computing: Students work in pairs to create animations, sharing ideas and problem-solving together.

• Creating Computational Artifacts: Students design and code digital scenes that illustrate character experiences.

• Testing and Refining Computational Artifacts: Students test their ScratchJr projects, making improvements based on feedback and observations.

• Communicating About Computing: Students present their ScratchJr projects, explaining their coding choices and how they represented character comparisons.

Standard(s):

• CA CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.1.9

• CA CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.1.3

• CA CS K-2.AP.12, CA CS K-2.AP.13