Coding Interactive Maps

In this skill-building lesson, students will learn to create and animate sprites on a map.

This lesson serves two main purposes: (1) to offer an example of coding an interactive map and (2) to introduce students to coding in Sprite Lab. Sprite Lab is an open-ended coding environment that uses block-based code. Students will learn the basics of Sprite Lab throughout this lesson to plan and build their interactive map in the following lessons.

In this integrated lesson, students learn social studies concepts by creating a map with code. To begin, students will examine several examples of maps and discuss what features make up the map. In the wrap-up, students will discuss the role of a map maker.

Note: The maps and images will not be a perfect fit in all cases. Fortunately, there is a Sprite Upload tool and access to the Animation Library students can use in the freeplay levels that allow for customization.

In this unplugged lesson, students will create a project plan for their tour guide app. Creating a plan is an important first step before starting to code. Educators are encouraged to customize this project to fit within the context of topics or standards currently being taught. See below for suggestions.

Suggestions:

• Students can map a local area such as their home, classroom, or school.
• Students can create a tour of a state they are studying in class.
• The instructor can link the mapping project to another area of study or research, like Ancient civilizations.

In this lesson, students use their project plans from the previous class to create their interactive map. Students may be at varying stages of their plan.

Once students move to computers, they will follow a level progression that walks them through the process of setting a background, creating a tour guide, making it say “Welcome,” making it move, and adding at least 2 landmarks that trigger the tour guide to say something when touched.

Note that this is a project progression, meaning student code will follow them from one level to the next. Encourage students to press “Run” on each level to save their code before progressing to the next level.

The lesson ends in a quick gallery walk in preparation of the next lesson, where students share their projects with the class.

This is the final lesson in this module and is meant to celebrate all the hard work so far. Students will complete a personal reflection on their final project. Then, the whole class will present their project to their peers. Before the presentations begin, you will discuss tips for an effective presentation, including audience expectations.