OVERVIEW

Activity Overview:

The students will use Micro:bit blocks to create the image of snow when shaken. This will be done with sequences, repetition, planning, and debugging.

Meta description

• Subject Area: Computer Science
• Grade Level : 6-8, 9-12
• Computer Science Domains:
  • Algorithms and Programming
• Computer Science Principles:
  • Recognizing and Defining Computational Problems
• Materials:
  • Website, https://makecode.microbit.org/
• Considerations:
  • NA

Lesson Plan

Overview

The students will use Micro:bit blocks to create the image of snow when shaken. This will be done with sequences, repetition, planning, and debugging.

ASSESSMENT PRE/POST-TEST

Which are the coding blocks that would always be used in animating a micro:bit? What are other animation ideas that you could try in the future?

OBJECTIVES

1. Become familiar with sequences of code, using the ‘pause’ and ‘duplicating’ functions.
2. Use ‘repeats’ and ’loops’ to simplify animation sequences
3. Create ‘variables’ to help keep track of values

CATCH/HOOK

Wyoming winter is coming! Let’s create some snow on our micro:bits that can help us get excited for some colder weather!

ACTIVITY INSTRUCTIONS

Step 1: Using ‘show leds’ create the basic shape of the globe Step 2: Place the trigger button ‘on shake’ into to sequence Step 3: Turn the LEDs on and off by adding a ‘plot x 0 and 0’ block. Experiment with other plots to see where the lights show up. Step 4: Now try the ‘unplot’ with the same coordinates Step 5. Notice the program is working, but moving quickly. Place ‘pause’ blocks in your sequence. Step 6. Use the ‘Function’ command to simplify your steps in the ‘Advanced’ category call it ‘snowflake1’ Step 7. Drag your ‘plot-pause-unplot’ into your new function plot.
Step 8. Make more functions by right clicking your snowflake 1 function and ‘duplicate’ it. Notice the new numbers’ snowflake2, snowflake3 Step 9: Now change the coordinates in each new function. Step 10: Finally, place all your new functions inside the ‘on shake’ block.

Supplements

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

REVIEW

Download your program onto your micro:bit. Check to see if it works and troubleshoot if needed. If time, make more snow.

STANDARDS