Objective:

Students will expand basic sentences by using adjectives and adverbs, selecting the correct form to modify nouns and verbs. Through this activity, they will practice recognizing parts of speech and decomposing sentences into their component parts, reinforcing computational thinking skills.

Materials Needed:

• Sentence strips with simple sentences (e.g., "The dog runs.")

• Word cards with adjectives (e.g., "fast," "small") and adverbs (e.g., "quickly," "happily")

• Chart paper or whiteboards

Steps:

• Introduction:

  • Start by introducing adjectives and adverbs, explaining that adjectives describe nouns and adverbs describe verbs. 

  • Give examples such as, "The happy boy runs quickly." Discuss how adding adjectives and adverbs can make sentences more interesting.

• Group Activity:

  • Divide students into small groups and give each group sentence strips with simple sentences. 

  • Have them use adjective and adverb cards to expand the sentences. 

  • For example, "The dog runs" could become "The small dog runs quickly." 

  • Each group writes their expanded sentences on chart paper or whiteboards and shares them with the class.

• Testing and Refining:

  • After each group presents, the class reviews the sentences for correct use of adjectives and adverbs. 

  • Groups can refine their sentences by making adjustments based on feedback.

• Presentation and Discussion:

  • Each group presents their expanded sentences and explains how adjectives and adverbs change the meaning of the original sentence.

  • Lead a discussion about how breaking down a sentence into parts helps in constructing more complex and meaningful sentences, drawing a connection to how computational thinking involves decomposing tasks into smaller, manageable parts.

Equity and Access:

Provide sentence starters and word banks with examples of adjectives and adverbs. Utilize color-coding to identify parts of speech. Group students with varying abilities to ensure collaborative learning.

Real-World Application:

Explain how adjectives and adverbs help describe events and actions more vividly, whether in writing stories or giving instructions, making communication clearer and more engaging.

CS Practice(s):

• Developing and Using Abstractions: Students decompose sentences into parts of speech and expand them by choosing adjectives and adverbs.

• Communicating About Computing: Students explain their sentence expansions and share the reasoning behind their word choices.

Standard(s):

• CA CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.2.1e 

• CA CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.2.1f

Objective:

Students will use Scratch Jr. or another coding platform to create animations that demonstrate how adjectives and adverbs modify nouns and verbs, expanding their understanding of how these parts of speech enhance writing and storytelling.

Materials Needed:

• Tablets or computers 

• Word cards with adjectives (e.g., "happy," "blue") and adverbs (e.g., "quickly," "softly")

• Pre-made coding templates with characters and scenes

Steps:

• Introduction:

  • Begin by reviewing the concepts of adjectives and adverbs. Explain that adjectives describe nouns (e.g., "The happy dog") and adverbs describe how actions are performed (e.g., "The dog runs quickly"). 

  • Provide examples of sentences that use both adjectives and adverbs, and explain how Scratch Jr. can be used to create animations that bring these descriptions to life.

• Group Activity:

  • In pairs, students will choose a simple sentence, such as "The dog runs." 

  • They will then select an adjective and an adverb to expand the sentence (e.g., "The happy dog runs quickly"). 

  • Using a coding platform, students will animate a scene that reflects this expanded sentence. 

  • They will choose a character, set a background, and program the character’s movement to illustrate the action. 

  • For example, they will code the dog to run across the screen quickly, while using visual cues like a smiling face or wagging tail to show that the dog is "happy."

• Testing and Refining:

  • After creating the animation, students will run their program to ensure the animation correctly matches the expanded sentence. 

  • If needed, they will refine their code by adjusting the speed of the action or adding more visual details to highlight the adjective or adverb.

Equity and Access:

Provide pre-made templates with basic scenes and animations for students who need extra guidance. Encourage students to work collaboratively in pairs to support each other's learning.

Real-World Application:

Explain how adjectives and adverbs are used in storytelling, advertising, and communication to add vivid details to descriptions. By coding animating sentences, students see how words create specific visual effects, which mirrors how these parts of speech enhance real-world communication.

CS Practice(s):

• Creating Computational Artifacts: Students design and code animated sentences that use adjectives and adverbs to modify nouns and verbs.

• Testing and Refining Computational Artifacts: Students test their animations, refining them to accurately reflect their descriptive sentences.

Standard(s):

• CA CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.2.1e

• CA CS K-2.AP.12