Lesson 1: Exploring Web Pages

Starting with Problem Solving: We recommend teaching the first three lessons from the Problem Solving and Computing unit, which introduces the Problem Solving Process referenced throughout the course. These lessons also include a pre-survey that you can administer to students.

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Prompt: If you could say something important to the whole world, what would it be? Why is it important to you?

The goal of the discussion is to help students see web development as a form of self-expression and communication, and to set an expectation that they have something valuable to contribute. While some students may want to share something silly, encourage students to consider that they have something valuable to say and that others can benefit from it. This discussion should set a positive atmosphere that respects the diversity of perspectives that the group can bring.

Allow students to share out their contributions to the group.

There are lots of ways that people share with the world. Today, we're going to look at how people use web pages to share what they have to say.

Question of the Day: Why do people create web pages?

Most of the web pages that we visit are created by large organizations that have a lot of people working on them. But anyone can create their own personal web page and publish it to the Internet. Today, we're going to look at some personal web pages. These pages were created by a single person who had something that they wanted to share with the world.

Group: Put students in pairs.

Distribute: Pass out a copy of the activity guide to each student.

Answer Keys & Exemplars: An answer key or exemplar is provided for verified teachers as part of the resources in this lesson plan. If you do not see an answer key or exemplar listed as a resource, follow these steps to become a verified teacher.

Code Studio: Direct students to the "Sample Web Pages" level on Code Studio.

This activity guide asks students to consider why people make personal web pages and what sorts of interests can be expressed on them.

Students don't need to get it "right" for each site, but they should demonstrate that they have considered the reasons someone might make a web page. If students struggle to identify the purpose a site serves its creator, consider asking the following prompts:

• Does the website creator want the user to do something?
• Does the website try to convince the user of something in particular?
• Does the website serve as a form of personal expression for the creator?

The sites are intentionally simple, to help set expectations about the websites that students will be creating over the course of the unit.

• What is this person sharing with the world?
• Why is it important to them?

Encourage students to be as detailed as possible when brainstorming the purposes of these sites.

Share: Once everyone has had a chance to brainstorm about their sites, give students a chance to share out their thoughts.

Discuss: Give students an opportunity to ask questions about these example sites. Make sure they understand how a small site that is primarily a tool for individual self-expression can also be a useful site for other people.

The goal of this discussion is to prepare students to think of themselves as potential website creators. As students discuss the prompt, encourage them to imagine why they might create a site similar to those in the examples, and what their motivations might be. Remind them that they will have an opportunity in this unit to create a website that will be shared with the entire world.

Question of the Day: Why do people create web pages?

Journal 3-2-1:

3 - What are three topics you might be interested in creating a website about?

2 - What are two reasons you think someone might visit a website that you create?

1 - What's one thing you're most interested in learning about creating websites?