Students learn about the scope and procedures of the class, then explore Scratch and create their first program.
Topics introduced:
Scratch
Programming
Students can program their project however they would like. Students' code may vary.
If you get stuck, review the Introduction and Discovery Solution Sheet.
Ask students what they know or think about Computer Science. Allow students to respond around the grid or in the chat.
Watch Video 1 and Video 2 depending on time [see video below]
Ask students to share highlights from the video. Was there anything surprising or interesting?
[say] In each activity I will give you a new coding challenge/skill to master. Today's challenge is about exploring. You will have time to explore and test the coding blocks in Scratch and code something surprising.
Watch Video 3 [see video below]. This video will teach students how to navigate the Scratch website and encourage experiential learning [learn more below].
Give students 5-10 minutes of independent work time to explore and code something "surprising" in Scratch. Share the link to the Starter program or the Scratch website in the chat [see below]
Allow student(s) to share their screen and code with the class. Or ask students to share what coding blocks they discovered in the the chat.
Discuss the activity and facilitate a brief discussion about what students learned and experienced.
Question 1: What was your favorite part of this activity?
Question 2: What unexpected thing did you program?
Question 3: What blocks did you use in your project, and what did they do?
Question 4: Why do you think it is good to practice exploring?
VIDEO 1
Scratch Overview
VIDEO 2
Introduction to Computer Science
VIDEO 3
Program Something Unexpected
What Is Scratch? [Short]
What Is Scratch? [Extended]
Experiential Learning
The Experiential Learning Cycle
How We All Learn Naturally