Lesson 8:
Domino Creations

1. Use a structured process to create a complex program

2. Combine various types of control structures to implement a design

3. Iteratively improve upon a design

1. Use a structured process to create a complex program

Check that students have used the planning sheet or another tool to plan their programs before coding.

2. Combine various types of control structures to implement a design

Student projects should include Wait For, Wait Until, and Repeat blocks.

3. Iteratively improve upon a design

In reflection question two, check that students have explained why they chose to change their plan, and that their explanations describe a reasonable decision-making process.

Slideshow: Domino Creations

1. How does planning help to make coding easier?

Student answers may vary, but students should understand that planning allows a coder to ensure that a program will meet criteria and is workable before beginning to code. This saves time and also give an opportunity for feedback before the coding process begins.

2. What is one change that you made to your plan after you started coding, and why did you need to make it?

Students should give a reasonable response for why they changed their plan. Sample reasons are that the plan encountered unexpected barriers, they received feedback that it should change, or that as they began coding, they were able to think of ideas that better fit their criteria.

3. What’s one idea from brainstorming that you DIDN’T use, and why?

Students should give a reasonable response for why they chose not to implement a particular idea. Sample reasons are that it did not fit well with their overall goal, feedback from others made them change their minds, or that the idea would take too long or be impossible to implement.