LESSON	PLAN	#2:	Introduction	to	Scratch	Algorithm	with	Poems	
              	
              Grade:	4		                     Subject:	Computational	       Topic:	Scratch	Algorithms	&	
                                             Thinking/Computer	Science	    Poems	
                                             w/	Literacy	
              	
              STANDARDS:	
              Literacy:	
              RL.4.1:	Refer	to	details	and	examples	in	a	text	when	explaining	what	the	test	says	explicitly	
              and	when	drawing	inferences	from	the	text.		
              RL.4.7:	Make	connections	between	the	text	of	a	story	or	drama	and	a	visual	or	oral	
              presentation	of	the	text,	identifying	where	each	version	reflects	specific	descriptions	and	
              directions	in	the	text.		
              W.4.2:	Write	informative/explanatory	texts	to	examine	a	topic	and	convey	ideas	and	
              information	clearly.	
              	
              Computer	Science:	(According	to	the	CSTA	Computer	Science	Standards	grades	3-6)	
              L1.6.2	CT:	Develop	a	simple	understanding	of	an	algorithm	using	computer-free	exercises.	
              L1.6.5	CT:	Make	a	list	of	sub-problems	to	consider	while	addressing	a	larger	problem.		
              L2.6.3	CL:	Collaborate	with	peers,	experts,	and	others	using	collaborative	practices	such	as	
              pair	programming,	working	in	project	teams,	and	participating	in	group	active	learning	
              activities.		
              L1.6.6	CPP:	Implement	problem	solving	solutions	using	a	block-based	visual	programming	
              language.	
              	
              	
              PRIOR	KNOWLEDGE:	
                  v  Basic	understanding	of	computers	and	technology’s	functions	in	society	
                  v  How	to	write	and	follow	a	sequence	of	instruction	(Lesson	1)		
                  v  Collaboration	and	teamwork	skills	
                  v  Problem-solving	strategies	
                  v  Ability	to	read,	write,	and	illustrate	
              	
              LESSON	OBJECTIVES	&	OUTCOMES:	
                  v  The	students	will	begin	to	learn	some	of	the	basic	functions	of	Scratch	including	
                     sprites,	movement,	say	functions,	sound	functions,	and	hide	and	show	
                  v  	Using	the	Scratch	function	cutouts,	the	students	will	write	a	series	of	algorithms	for	
                     the	sprites	to	illustrate	the	assigned	poem	
                  v  Students	will	be	in	groups	of	4	where	they	will	collaborate	and	problem	solve	
                     together	while	creating	the	algorithms	for	the	illustrations	
                  v  	Students	will	then	present	their	project	to	another	group	and	the	teacher	and	take	a	
                     picture	of	the	finished	version.	Students	will	write	a	reflection	on	how	it	functions	and	
                     any	challenges	they	faced	
                 	
                 	
                 	
                 	
                 	
                 PLANNED	SEQUENCE:	
                 1.	Introduction	(10	minutes):	
                     v  Refer	back	to	lesson	#1	and	remind	students	of	sequences	and	their	detailed	
                         sequences	they	created		
                     v  Introduce	algorithms	by	explaining	that	algorithms	can	be	different,	but	still	produce	
                         the	same	product	
                     v  Explain	how	computers	read	sequences	of	algorithms	and	that	we	will	be	writing	our	
                         own	algorithms	using	Scratch	function	cutouts.	This	practice	will	lead	into	when	
                         Scratch	is	done	on	the	computer	in	lesson	5	
                     v  Show	the	functions	that	will	be	used	for	the	lesson	and	explain	what	each	function	
                         does.	For	this	lesson	it	will	include	sprites,	flag,	move,	say,	sound,	hide,	and	show		
                     v  Show	an	example	Scratch	on	the	computer	so	they	see	that	the	pieces	resemble	those	
                         from	the	actual	site	
                     v  Ask	if	there	are	questions	
                 	
                 2.	Instruction	(10	minutes):	
                     v  -Tell	the	basic	instructions	of	Scratch:	
                             •   Each	sprite	has	its	own	sequence		
                             •   Each	sequence	must	start	with	the	flag	
                             •   Fill	in	the	blanks	for	move,	say,	etc.		
                     v  Explain	that	for	this	assignment	they	will	be	paired	into	groups	of	4	and	be	assigned	a	
                         poem.	With	their	group,	they	must	read	their	poem	and	come	up	with	a	Scratch	
                         algorithm	that	illustrates	the	poem	
                     v  Tell	students	they	must	create	their	own	sprites	and	a	background	based	on	their	
                         poem.	They	must	then	use	the	Scratch	cutouts	to	write	a	short	algorithm	telling	their	
                         poem.	The	sequence	for	each	sprite	should	be	labeled	
                     v  Provide	an	example.	“Let’s	say	my	poem	is	about	a	dog	barking	at	a	cat.	I	may	have	a	
                         sprite	of	a	tree,	a	dog,	and	a	cat.	I	may	use	the	sound	function	to	program	a	barking	
                         noise,	use	the	motion	function	to	have	the	cat	run	up	the	tree,	and	use	the	say	
                         function	to	have	the	cat	say	meow.”	
                     v  Tell	the	students	they	must	use	at	least	one	of	each	function	from	the	introduction	
                         and	at	least	three	sprites	but	can	use	other	available	functions		
                 	
                 3.	Work	Time	(30	minutes):		
                     v  Group	students	into	groups	of	4	
                     v  Pass	out	a	poem	to	each	group	
                     v  Students	collaboratively	read	poems,	make	inferences	about	the	poem,	and	visualize	
                         a	way	to	represent	the	poem	
                     v  Students	begin	work	making	sprites,	background,	and	writing	algorithms.		
        v  Students	ask	questions	when	needed	and	teacher	makes	clarifications	when	issues	
         arise		
        v  Teacher	reminds	students	to	add	a	sticky	note	“tweet”	to	the	twitter	board	if	they	
         find	a	good	strategy	to	share.		
      	
      4.	Share	Time	&	Closure	(10	minutes)	
        v  Have	the	students	wrap	up	their	projects.		
        v  Have	groups	pair	up	with	one	other	group	and	perform	their	Scratch	creation	to	the	
         other	group	
        v  Teacher	should	observe	each	groups	as	a	formative	assessment	
        v  Instruct	students	to	write	their	reflection	for	homework	on	how	their	project	
         functions	and	what	challenges	they	faced	
      	
      MATERIALS	/	EQUIPMENT:	
        v  Scratch	Function	Cutouts	(Green	flag,	sprites,	movement	functions,	say	function,	
         sound	function,	hide,	show)	
        v  Five	poems	printed	(See	document	“Poems	for	Lesson	2”)	
        v  Document	Camera	
        v  Sprite	Cutouts	(Children	Create	based	on	poem)	
        v  Scissors		
        v  Blank	Paper	for	fill	in	functions		
        v  Computer	for	Teacher	to	show	actual	website	
        v  Disposable	camera	
      	
      GRADING	CRITERIA:	
        v  This	lesson	will	produce	a	list	of	functions	for	each	sprite	they	have	chosen	to	use	to	
         tell	the	poem	
        v  	Once	the	groups	have	finished	their	Scratch	algorithms	for	their	assigned	poem	they	
         will	practice	how	it	would	function	and	present	it	to	another	group	
        v  	The	presentations	will	be	observed	by	the	teacher	as	a	formative	means	of	
         assessment	to	gauge	where	their	level	of	understanding	is	
        v  	The	teacher	should	use	this	to	fill	in	any	misunderstandings	in	the	next	lesson		
        v  The	students	will	then	take	a	picture	of	their	entire	sequence	with	the	disposable	
         camera	and	write	a	reflection	for	homework	on	how	it	functioned	and	what	was	
         challenging	
        v  The	developed	picture	along	with	the	reflection	will	be	added	to	their	portfolio	for	the	
         end	project.