OVERVIEW

Activity Overview:

In this lesson students will review what Duolingo does for Spanish students, and design a similar project using Scratch or Google Forms. They will determine if they want to include avatars and let users customize the avatars to practice.

Meta description

• Subject Area: Computer Science, Technology
• Grade Level : 3-5
• Computer Science Domains:
  • Algorithms and Programming
  • Impacts of Computing
• Computer Science Principles:
  • Fostering an Inclusive Computing Culture
  • Collaborating Around Computing
  • Recognizing and Defining Computational Problems
  • Creating Computational Artifacts
  • Testing and Refining Computational Artifacts
  • Communicating About Computing
• Materials:
  • Website, Duolingo, Scratch, Google Forms

Lesson Plan

Overview

In this lesson students will review what Duolingo does for Spanish students, and design a similar project using Scratch or Google Forms. They will determine if they want to include avatars and let users customize the avatars to practice.

ASSESSMENT PRE/POST-TEST

What is a loop? What does a branching program do? What are some avatar customizations?

OBJECTIVES

Students will create a workable program to practice Spanish Students will test and troubleshoot their programs with a partner

CATCH/HOOK

Have a practice session with Duolingo. Ask the students what they like and don’t like. What would they change?

ACTIVITY INSTRUCTIONS

Following the initial lesson in the early Fall semester, I will take a break to introduce some different coding skills and programs and then come back to the concept of avatars in early Spring semester. Once my students have had a chance to develop their coding skills and review certain practices in coding, I will have them design a game or practice for Spanish. Most of my students have taken or are currently enrolled in Spanish, so I will have them develop a practice session and let them decide how an avatar might enhance the game and how much customization to give their “clients.” This will begin as an unplugged activity, mapping out ideas and how to develop the program. They will then take it online using Scratch or a branching program (such as Google Forms) to develop their own program.

Supplements

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REVIEW

What did you change in the program and why? What advice did you take from your partner?

STANDARDS