Description
Winter Math is here with "Finding Nemo and Friends". We have designed this unplugged compass coding activity to help bring coding and Nemo into the classroom. Challenge your students to help Marvin find Nemo and his friends.
What this pack includes:
x5 Coding unplugged activities linked to compass directions
How to use this:
This resource is a great way to introduce coding concepts to upper primary. There are a few different ways you can use it.
For years 3-4, or those students who are being introduced to coding for the first time, we recommend ignoring anything to do with compass directions. Just focus on using arrow symbols to direct Marvin around the ocean without hitting any obstacles. Once students get the hang of this you could potentially introduce the concept of looping. Children could highlight their code where they see the same symbol repeated, they could then combine these two separate symbols to make one symbol (as shown on the worksheet). This then builds on the idea of finding the most efficient route. Some routes will be faster when the code doesn’t repeat or loop, while some of the longer strings of code might be able to be condensed quite a bit as the code has a lot of repetitions.
For students in years 5-6, you have the option to either use the symbols like years 3-4, or you can use compass directions and build it into your math program as a follow up activity or early finisher. Instead of using arrow symbols to direct Marvin, students can use north, south, east, and west to give directions. They can then go through the same process of looping their code to find the most efficient route.
It is super important to make sure children haven’t just found the first route to the end and then moved on. They need to be analysing each route and be able to justify why their route is the quickest – most likely this will come down to the least amount of steps.
The Digital Curriculum
We’ve designed this project to cover a large portion of the Digital Curriculum. Specifically looking at Progress Outcome 1 and 2 of Computational Thinking.
- In authentic contexts and taking account of end-users, students use their decomposition skills to break down simple non-computerised tasks into precise, unambiguous, step-by-step instructions (algorithmic thinking). They give these instructions, identify any errors in them as they are followed, and correct them (simple debugging).
– Progress Outcome 1 - In authentic contexts and taking account of end-users, students give, follow, and debug simple algorithms in computerised and non-computerised contexts. They use these algorithms to create simple programs involving outputs and sequencing (putting instructions one after the other) in age-appropriate programming environments.
– Progress Outcome 2
Students will be given opportunities to look at what an algorithm is, and how to use it to find the most efficient way of doing something. They will be able to test their algorithm and correct where they have gone wrong. This brings in the concept of debugging.
This project is the perfect way to introduce coding to children who have not been exposed to algorithmic concepts. Especially with early learners.
Terms of Use:
Everything included in this resource is licensed for a single classroom or family use. It may be photocopied by the original purchaser for his or her classroom only. It may not be put on the internet, sold, or redistributed in any form. If you would like to share this product with your colleagues or friends, please honour the time and energy put into it by purchasing multiple licenses through the avenue you purchased it.
Copying any part of this resource and placing it on the internet is strictly forbidden. This is a violation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. Thank you for respecting the copyright.
More Questions?
Feel free to email me at explore@launchpad.zone
Be sure to follow the Launchpad on:
- Visit my blog at The Launchpad Blog
- Follow me on Facebook
- Follow me on Instagram
- Join the Launchpad Tribe to see how other teachers, parents, and homeschoolers are implementing the Digital Curriculum in their classroom!
Highlights
Description
Winter Math is here with "Finding Nemo and Friends". We have designed this unplugged compass coding activity to help bring coding and Nemo into the classroom. Challenge your students to help Marvin find Nemo and his friends.
What this pack includes:
x5 Coding unplugged activities linked to compass directions
How to use this:
This resource is a great way to introduce coding concepts to upper primary. There are a few different ways you can use it.
For years 3-4, or those students who are being introduced to coding for the first time, we recommend ignoring anything to do with compass directions. Just focus on using arrow symbols to direct Marvin around the ocean without hitting any obstacles. Once students get the hang of this you could potentially introduce the concept of looping. Children could highlight their code where they see the same symbol repeated, they could then combine these two separate symbols to make one symbol (as shown on the worksheet). This then builds on the idea of finding the most efficient route. Some routes will be faster when the code doesn’t repeat or loop, while some of the longer strings of code might be able to be condensed quite a bit as the code has a lot of repetitions.
For students in years 5-6, you have the option to either use the symbols like years 3-4, or you can use compass directions and build it into your math program as a follow up activity or early finisher. Instead of using arrow symbols to direct Marvin, students can use north, south, east, and west to give directions. They can then go through the same process of looping their code to find the most efficient route.
It is super important to make sure children haven’t just found the first route to the end and then moved on. They need to be analysing each route and be able to justify why their route is the quickest – most likely this will come down to the least amount of steps.
The Digital Curriculum
We’ve designed this project to cover a large portion of the Digital Curriculum. Specifically looking at Progress Outcome 1 and 2 of Computational Thinking.
- In authentic contexts and taking account of end-users, students use their decomposition skills to break down simple non-computerised tasks into precise, unambiguous, step-by-step instructions (algorithmic thinking). They give these instructions, identify any errors in them as they are followed, and correct them (simple debugging).
– Progress Outcome 1 - In authentic contexts and taking account of end-users, students give, follow, and debug simple algorithms in computerised and non-computerised contexts. They use these algorithms to create simple programs involving outputs and sequencing (putting instructions one after the other) in age-appropriate programming environments.
– Progress Outcome 2
Students will be given opportunities to look at what an algorithm is, and how to use it to find the most efficient way of doing something. They will be able to test their algorithm and correct where they have gone wrong. This brings in the concept of debugging.
This project is the perfect way to introduce coding to children who have not been exposed to algorithmic concepts. Especially with early learners.
Terms of Use:
Everything included in this resource is licensed for a single classroom or family use. It may be photocopied by the original purchaser for his or her classroom only. It may not be put on the internet, sold, or redistributed in any form. If you would like to share this product with your colleagues or friends, please honour the time and energy put into it by purchasing multiple licenses through the avenue you purchased it.
Copying any part of this resource and placing it on the internet is strictly forbidden. This is a violation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. Thank you for respecting the copyright.
More Questions?
Feel free to email me at explore@launchpad.zone
Be sure to follow the Launchpad on:
- Visit my blog at The Launchpad Blog
- Follow me on Facebook
- Follow me on Instagram
- Join the Launchpad Tribe to see how other teachers, parents, and homeschoolers are implementing the Digital Curriculum in their classroom!
