Plan: Name Poem
Lesson Overview
Students will continue to learn about sequence and programming in Scratch as they use just 9 different blocks to create a poem using the letters of their name.* In this two-lesson series, students will first plan the 3-step sequence for each letter, then use the remaining class time and next session to begin building their project in Scratch.
Note: While, at every opportunity, we invite students to bring their full selves into their work, there are inherent internet safety issues with creating projects that make students' first names and other identifying information so public.
You could alternately choose to invite students to use:
A nickname
A screen name
The name of someone they believe is important (lesson plan)
Agenda (Day 1, updated)
🔥Warm-up: What do you want people to know about you? Is it an interest you have? A hobby? A dream or wish for the future? (5 min.)
▶️ Main Activity: Explore sample projects. Brainstorm content for the project. Fill-out planning sheet. (30-40 min.)
🤔 Reflect: (5 min.)
Knowing what you put online will eventually be public, what did you wish to share about yourself, but also keep yourself safe?
What kind of background, sprites, sound, or imported pictures do you envision adding to your project?
(If students are doing their project on someone else) Who did you choose and why?
Scratch Project Resources
Name Poem starter projects: sprites & backdrops (no code) / exploded code
Name Poem example projects: Name Poem (Karl) / Name Poem (Warren)
Project Extensions
Know Their Name Humanizing Research Project: lesson plan & planning guide
example projects (made by adults) example projects (made by students)
Vocabulary
algorithm: steps to complete a task
code: a special language a computer understands
computer science: using the power of computers to solve problems and express ourselves
program: a set of instructions (algorithm) written in a language that a computer understands
script: a set of Scratch blocks connected together to form a sequence
sequence: a set of instructions that follow one another in order
Standards
CA CSS 3-5.AP.12 Create programs that include events, loops, and conditionals.
CA CSS 3-5.AP.13 Decompose problems into smaller, manageable tasks which may themselves be decomposed.
Additional Resources
Scratch website: scratch.mit.edu
Original 10 Block Challenge lesson and starter project
Getting Unstuck Strategies from the Creative Computing Lab at the Harvard Graduate School of Education