OVERVIEW

Activity Overview:

They are introduced to variables and develop their understanding through a mixture of unplugged and practical programming activities. Pupils design and program the micro:bit to be a star-jump and step counter and a family activity selector. The sequence comprises 5 lessons of approximately 60 minutes each: Describing with variables Using variables in algorithms and programs Analysing, programming and evaluating step-counters Planning to get active Programming and evaluating a family activity picker

Meta description

• Subject Area: Computer Science, Science, Technology, Engineering
• Grade Level : 3-5
• Computer Science Domains:
  • Computing Systems, Algorithms and Programming
• Computer Science Principles:
  • Collaborating Around Computing, Creating Computational Artifacts, Testing and Refining Computational Artifacts, Communicating About Computing
• Materials:
  • Website, Micro:bit, Lesson plan Lesson slides Student handouts HEX files Other resources: colour marker pens MakeCode editor micro:bits (optional) paper - large sheets printouts of slides stacking games student work from previous lesson whiteboards & dry-wipe marker pens
• Considerations: +

Lesson Plan

Overview

They are introduced to variables and develop their understanding through a mixture of unplugged and practical programming activities. Pupils design and program the micro:bit to be a star-jump and step counter and a family activity selector. The sequence comprises 5 lessons of approximately 60 minutes each: Describing with variables Using variables in algorithms and programs Analysing, programming and evaluating step-counters Planning to get active Programming and evaluating a family activity picker

ASSESSMENT PRE/POST-TEST

What are variables?, How are variables used in programs?, How can I debug a program algorithm that uses varibles?

OBJECTIVES

can understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation have repeated practical experience of writing computer programs in order to solve problems can evaluate and apply information technology are responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology

CATCH/HOOK

We are taking our creation on algorithms from Kodable to using Microbits, how will things be similar and how will things be different about the algorithm/programs that we create

ACTIVITY INSTRUCTIONS

https://microbit.org/downloads/getting-active.zip

Supplements

Any items in this section are the property & under the license of their respective owners.

REVIEW

We will be doing this unit of 5 lessons over the next couple of months so there will not only be time for the lessons but time to independently explore how to best use the Micro-bits. So throughout the lesson we will review each week and then continue to build thorough the completion of the lessons

STANDARDS