Winter Fun

Nursery Rhymes are an introduction to algorithms! 

Some things you need to know:

• Link to the activity is HERE.

• This activity does not require computers.  

• There are three parts to any algorithm: sequence, selection, and iteration

  • Sequence: order matters

  • Selection: some action happens only if something is true

  • Iteration: some things are repeated

• Using any/all of these words when they make sense in class would be amazing.

• Pictures of key parts of each story will really help with flowcharting.

Do you want to build a snowman?  

Introduce block coding in a creative way using PencilCode.  This activity is perfect for someone who wants students to have a place where they can create rather than follow a tutorial.

Some things you need to know:

• Link to the activity is HERE.

• Students should: 

  • Press the play button to see what the existing code does.  

  • Follow directions to draw their own snowkid, whether there is snow outside or not.

• More advanced students can hit the "More Ideas" button in the top right for some enhancement ideas.

Create a winter storm!  

Some things you need to know:

• This tutorial uses Scratch to help students learn how to make clouds and rain, but it could definitely be adopted by students to make it snow! 

• Here is a link to teacher tips.

• You could use this to connect to science units about the weather.  The tutorial does not do this explicitly, but with a little creativity, it could work!

Frozen is still cool.  Try out this tutorial to see why!

Some things you need to know:

• Here is a link to the activity.

• Teacher notes are here.  

• This tutorial exists in multiple languages.

• Note that this does use some basic ideas from geometry.  You may need to scaffold for students as they are using this tool.

No snow? No problem.  You can still create a snowman!

Some things you need to know:

• Here is a link to the activity.

• Teacher notes are here.

• This activity is in Khan Academy.  It contains nice introductory video and very clear and scaffolded directions.  More confident coders may finish sooner than others.  That's okay!  There is a lot they can do to customize and make their drawing more interesting and fun.

• You could display student artwork in a "studio exhibit" by creating a padlet wall.  

HexaHexaFlexagon (Yes, you read that right.)  

This is part art project, part key computer science understanding, and all fun.

Some things you need to know:

• Here is a link to a PDF that contains the activity as well as several enhancements.  Teacher notes are embedded here as well.

• Here is a video for how to fold/create your hexahexaflaxagon.

• Here is an video explaining how this is connected to computer science and diagramming.

• This activity does not require a computer.