Lesson 10: Ocean Scene with Loops
45 minutes
Overview
In this skill-building lesson, students learn to draw images by looping simple sequences of instructions. Here, loops are creating patterns. At the end of this lesson, students will create their own images.
Purpose
This lesson gives a different perspective on how loops can create things in programming. Students can also reflect on the inefficiency of programming without loops here because of how many blocks the program would require without the help of repeat
loops.
Standards
AP - Algorithms & Programming
- 1A-AP-09 - Model the way programs store and manipulate data by using numbers or other symbols to represent information.
- 1A-AP-10 - Develop programs with sequences and simple loops, to express ideas or address a problem.
- 1A-AP-11 - Decompose (break down) the steps needed to solve a problem into a precise sequence of instructions.
- 1A-AP-14 - Debug (identify and fix) errors in an algorithm or program that includes sequences and simple loops.
Agenda
Objectives
Students will be able to:
- Count the number of times an action should be repeated and represent it as a loop.
- Create a program that draws complex shapes by repeating simple sequences.
- Decompose a shape into its largest repeatable sequence.
Preparation
- Play through the puzzles to find any potential problem areas for your class.
- Review *CSF Lesson Recommendations.
- Make sure each student has a reflection journal.
Links
Heads Up! Please make a copy of any documents you plan to share with students.
For the teachers
- CSF Lesson Recommendations - Resource
- Pause and Think Online - Video
For the students
- Feeling Faces Emotion Image - Resource
Vocabulary
- Loop - The action of doing something over and over again.
- Repeat - To do something again.
Teaching Guide
Warm Up (10 minutes)
Introduction
- Quickly review the definition of a loop, the action of doing something over and over again.
- Discuss different patterns like zigzags and stairsteps.
- How would you explain to someone how to draw that pattern?
- How could you draw this using a loop?
In the artist levels students will be using 45 degree angles described as northwest, northeast, southwest, southeast. We recommend briefly discussing these directions with the class and drawing an image for students to refer back to.
Main Activity (30 minutes)
Ocean Scene with Loops
Teacher Demonstration
We've included some multiple choice prediction levels that are difficult for non-readers. These levels are optional for you to review with your class to help prepare for the puzzles to come. Alternatively, these could be used after finishing the stage as a review for the class.
Prediction Levels:
Remind the students to only share their work with their close friends or family. For more information watch or show the class *Pause and Think Online - Video
Wrap Up (5 minutes)
Reflection
Prompts:
- What was today’s lesson about?
- Draw a face that shows how you felt about today's lesson in the corner of your journal page.
- Draw some stairs. Imagine the loop needed to draw this.
- Draw something else in your life that uses loops.
Cross-Curricular Opportunity
Code My Drawing (30-45 minutes)
Computer Science + English Language Arts
Code My Drawing is an optional activity aligned to Common Core ELA standards, written by our teacher community. In pairs or groups of three, students will practice clear communication in order to code each other’s drawings in Artist.
Standards Addressed:
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.K.2: Confirm understanding of a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media by asking and answering questions about key details and requesting clarification if something is not understood.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.K.3: Ask and answer questions in order to seek help, get information, or clarify something that is not understood.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.K.6: Speak audibly and express thoughts, feelings, and ideas clearly.
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