Introduction
In the second unit, students will investigate the computer science concept of events through the Use - Modify - Create framework by first being introduced to the concept through a variety of multimodal activities, then exploring it in Scratch before creating their own original About Me project in Scratch incorporating this concept. Students will also collaborate on computational artifacts, debug problematic programs, provide feedback on each other's work, and reflect on their own progress throughout the unit.
Sequence of Lessons
Link to this section
Discover: Sequence Green Level: Unit 1, Lesson 1
View the Lesson Plan - G1-1: Discover - Sequence
Lesson Overview
Students will be introduced to the computer science concept of events by interacting and tinkering with projects that use a variety of event blocks including but by no means limited to the When Green Flag is Clicked, which they may already be familiar with from ScratchJr. in K-2 lessons.
Agenda
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π₯ Warm-up: Review Computer Science Norms. What do you remember about computer science from previous grades? If this is your first time learning computer science, how are you already using computers to be creative?
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βΆοΈ Main Activity: Watch Scratch Overview video. Model the TIPP & SEE Protocol with the Scavenger Hunt - Under the Sea project. In partners, students complete a hardcopy or Google Form activity page then continue to make changes to the Under the Sea program to personalize it.
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π€ Debrief: How did you and your partner change the project to make it more βyouβ? What is something you can thank your partner for today?
Materials
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varies, based on the activities selected from below
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Green Level Student Workbooks, pp. 7-8
Unplugged Activity: The Big Event
Learn about events using this unplugged activity from Code.org.
Events in Scratch: Alphabet Game
Play with event blocks in Scratch using this Alphabet Game starter project.
Learn about events using Dash and Dot robots with these Challenge Cards!
Use events to create a chase game or a basketball game in Code Studio.
Vocabulary
- event: an action that causes something to happen
Standards
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CA CSS 3-5.AP.12 Create programs that include events, loops, and conditionals.
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CA CSS 3-5.AP.17 Test and debug a program or algorithm to ensure it accomplishes the intended task.
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CA CSS 3-5.AP.18 Perform different roles when collaborating with peers during the design, implementation, and review stages of program development.
Introduce: Events Green Level Unit 2
View the Lesson Plan - G2-2: Introduce - Events
Lesson Overview
Students will be introduced to the computer science concept of events through plugged and unplugged activities. A variety of activities are included below to provide the teacher with choice around best supporting their students' comprehension of this concept.
Agenda
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βοΈ Introduce: Use the pages in the Green Workbook to introduce students to events. (5-10 min.)
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π€ Engage: Select from the activities below to engage students in learning about events and what they do in computer programs. (35-50 min.)
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π Reflect: (5 min.
Materials
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varies, based on the activities selected from below
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Green Level Student Workbooks, pp. 7-8
Unplugged Activity: The Big Event
Learn about events using this unplugged activity from Code.org.
Events in Scratch: Alphabet Game
Play with event blocks in Scratch using this Alphabet Game starter project.
Learn about events using Dash and Dot robots with these Challenge Cards!
Use events to create a chase game or a basketball game in Code Studio.
Vocabulary
- event: an action that causes something to happen
Standards
-
CA CSS 3-5.AP.12 Create programs that include events, loops, and conditionals.
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CA CSS 3-5.AP.17 Test and debug a program or algorithm to ensure it accomplishes the intended task.
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CA CSS 3-5.AP.18 Perform different roles when collaborating with peers during the design, implementation, and review stages of program development.
Exploring: Events Green Level: Unit 2, Lesson 7
View the Lesson Plan - G2-3: Explore - Events
Lesson Overview
Students will first use, then modify, a Scratch project exploring events using the TIPP & SEE model.
This will provide students with another opportunity to tinker with events in Scratch before starting an open-ended project in the next lesson.
Agenda
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π« Review: Use the pages in the Green Workbook to gain a deeper understanding of events. (5-10 min.)
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π Explore: TIPP & SEE Events: Ofrenda Scratch activity (35-50 min.)
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π Reflect: (5 min.)
Ask students to think back on their experience using the TIPP&SEE project today by responding to these reflection prompts:
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How did the Ofrienda program help you understand events in computer science?
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How would you explain events to another person?
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Can you think of events that happen in your life? What are they?
Materials
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computing devices for all students
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Green Level Student Workbooks, pp. 7-8
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TIPP & SEE Events: Ofrenda
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activity pages (slides 5 & 6)
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Google Form version (the link will automatically make a copy so that you can collect student responses)
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Scratch project
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English / Spanish
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Vocabulary
- event: an action that causes something to happen
Standards
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CA CSS 3-5.AP.12 Create programs that include events, loops, and conditionals.
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CA CSS 3-5.AP.13 Decompose problems into smaller, manageable tasks which may themselves be decomposed.
Additional Resources
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Scratch website: scratch.mit.edu
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Scratch TIPP & SEE posters:
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large (11x17): English / Spanish
Plan: About Me Green Level Unit 2
View the Lesson Plan - G2-4: Plan - Events
Lesson Overview
Students will begin the creation of an About Me project in Scratch that will show their understanding of events.
In this first lesson of a three lesson "create" sequence, students will plan out their About Me project on paper using a planning guide, then begin building their project using Scratch.
Agenda
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βοΈ Introduce: Interactive "About Me" collages in Scratch (5 min.)
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π₯ Mini-Lesson: Using Events in Scratch: the "when sprite clicked" block (5 min.)
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π Plan: About Me project on paper (15-20 min.)
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π§ Build: About Me project in Scratch (15-25 min.)
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π Reflect: (5 min.)
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How did the planning guide help you start your project in Scratch?
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What are you excited to add to your About Me project next class?
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Materials
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computing devices for all students
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About Me Planning Guide, printed
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Green Level Student Workbooks, p. 9-11
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About Me Scratch studio (teacher-created)
Scratch Project Resources
About Me starter projects: sprites & backdrops (no code) / exploded code
About Me example project: All About Me (Student-Created)
Project Extensions
About Me: Interdisciplinary Project planning guide / Scratch studio of project ideas
Vocabulary
- event: an action that causes something to happen
- parallelism: sets of instructions that run at the same time
- program: a set of instructions written in a language that a computer understands
- script: a set of Scratch blocks connected together to form a sequence
- sequence: a set of instructions that follow one another in order
Standards
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CA CSS 3-5.AP.12 Create programs that include events, loops, and conditionals.
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CA CSS 3-5.AP.13 Decompose problems into smaller, manageable tasks which may themselves be decomposed.
Additional Resources
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Scratch website: scratch.mit.edu
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Getting Unstuck Strategies from the Creative Computing Lab at the Harvard Graduate School of Education
Build: About Me Green Level Unit 2
View the Lesson Plan - G2-5: Build - Events
Lesson Overview
Students will continue the creation of an About Me project in Scratch that will show their understanding of events.
In this second lesson of a three lesson "create" sequence, students will continue building their project using Scratch, then pause to provide feedback in small groups on each other's About Me projects, using that feedback to revise and finalize their work.
Agenda
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π« Review: Using events to create an interactive "About Me" collage in Scratch (5 min.)
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π₯ Mini-Lesson: Using Events in Scratch: initializing with the "when green flag clicked" block (5 min.)
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π§ Build: About Me project in Scratch (25-40 min.)
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π¬ Peer Feedback: Providing positive and constructive feedback on 2 peer projects (15 min.)
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π Reflect: (5 min.)
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What did you get stuck on while working on your project? How did you persevere?
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What did you learn from your classmates' projects feedback?
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What did you discover from looking at other projects?
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Materials
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computing devices for all students
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Green Level Student Workbooks, p. 9-11
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Peer Feedback organizer, printed
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About Me Scratch studio (teacher-created)
Scratch Project Resources
- About Me starter projects: sprites & backdrops (no code) / exploded code
- About Me example project: All About Me (Student-Created)
Project Extensions
- About Me: Interdisciplinary Project planning guide / Scratch studio of project ideas
Vocabulary
-
event: an action that causes something to happen
-
parallelism: sets of instructions that run at the same time
-
program: a set of instructions written in a language that a computer understands
-
script: a set of Scratch blocks connected together to form a sequence
-
sequence: a set of instructions that follow one another in order
Standards
-
CA CSS 3-5.AP.12 Create programs that include events, loops, and conditionals.
-
CA CSS 3-5.AP.13 Decompose problems into smaller, manageable tasks which may themselves be decomposed.
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CA CSS 3-5.AP.15 Use an iterative process to plan and develop a program by considering the perspectives and preferences of others.
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CA CSS 3-5.AP.17 Test and debug a program or algorithm to ensure it accomplishes the intended task.
Additional Resources
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Scratch website: scratch.mit.edu
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Getting Unstuck Strategies from the Creative Computing Lab at the Harvard Graduate School of Education
Showcase: About Me Green Level Unit 2
View the Lesson Plan - G2-6: Showcase - Events
Lesson Overview
Students will complete the creation of an About Me project in Scratch that will show their understanding of events.
In this final lesson of a three lesson "create" sequence, students will finish building their project using Scratch, participate in a showcase to share their project and view their classmates' projects, and use a rubric to reflect on their work.
Agenda
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π« Review: Show a few student works-in-progress to review the project scope (5 min.)
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π₯ Mini-Lesson: Using Events in Scratch: events misconceptions (5 min.)
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π§ Build: About Me project in Scratch (30 min.)
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πΌ Showcase: Use the 2 Stars and a Wish framework to support students providing feedback on others' projects (10-15 min.)
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β Self-Assessment/Reflect: Use the student rubric to promote self-assessment and reflection on the About Me project (5-10 min.)
Materials
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computing devices for all students
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Green Level Student Workbooks, p. 9-11
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student rubrics, printed
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project reflection guide, printed (optional)
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About Me Scratch studio (teacher-created)
Project Extensions
- About Me: Interdisciplinary Project planning guide / Scratch studio of project ideas
Vocabulary
-
event: an action that causes something to happen
-
parallelism: sets of instructions that run at the same time
-
program: a set of instructions written in a language that a computer understands
-
script: a set of Scratch blocks connected together to form a sequence
-
sequence: a set of instructions that follow one another in order
Standards
-
CA CSS 3-5.AP.12 Create programs that include events, loops, and conditionals.
-
CA CSS 3-5.AP.13 Decompose problems into smaller, manageable tasks which may themselves be decomposed.
-
CA CSS 3-5.AP.15 Use an iterative process to plan and develop a program by considering the perspectives and preferences of others.
-
CA CSS 3-5.AP.17 Test and debug a program or algorithm to ensure it accomplishes the intended task.
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CA CSS 3-5.AP.19 Describe choices made during program development using code comments, presentations, and demonstrations.
Additional Resources
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Scratch website: scratch.mit.edu
This page was last updated on September 21, 2023