Middle School course

Programming 300

GRADES 6-8
BEGINNER
WEB
5 LESSONS

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Answer Key

Module 2: Toxic Jungle

Module 4: Onward and Ahead!

Module 5: Around the Corner

Module 6: U-Turn

Module 7: Enemy Spotted

Module 8: Scale the Slopes

Module 9: Straightforward

Module 10: What Are For Loops?

Module 12: Loop Ahead!

Module 13: Fire, Forward, Repeat

Module 14: Zig-Zag

Quiz

Question 1: How many tiles will the character move using the following code? Assume that forward() moves the character forward one tile.

for i in range(1, 5):
  forward()

- Answer: 4

Question 2: For loops can increase or decrease the counter variable.
- Answer: True
Question 3: Which line of code will execute the forward() command?
- Answer:
```
forward() # fire()
```
Question 4: Which of the following pieces of code will make the character fire() 10 times?
- Answer:
```
for i in range(10):
  fire()
```

Question 5: Which of the following is equivalent to the code below?

forward()
right()
fire()
right()
fire()
left()

Answer:

forward()
for i in range(2):
 right()
 fire()
left()

U.S. Standards

CSTA: 3A-AP-17, 3A-AP-21, 3A-AP-22, 3B-AP-10, 3B-AP-11
CS CA: 9-12.AP.12, 9-12.AP.14, 9-12.AP.16
ISTE: 1.1.c, 1.1.d, 1.4.d, 1.5.c

U.K. Standards

Key stage 3

Pupils should be taught to:

understand several key algorithms that reflect computational thinking [for example, ones for sorting and searching]; use logical reasoning to compare the utility of alternative algorithms for the same problem
understand a range of ways to use technology safely, respectfully, responsibly and securely, including protecting their online identity and privacy; recognise inappropriate content, contact and conduct, and know how to report concerns

Key stage 4

All pupils must have the opportunity to study aspects of information technology and computer science at sufficient depth to allow them to progress to higher levels of study or to a professional career. Pupils should be taught to:

develop their capability, creativity and knowledge in computer science, digital media and information technology
understand how changes in technology affect safety, including new ways to protect their online privacy and identity, and how to report a range of concerns

Lesson 5: Intro to Python

Course: | Web

Introduction
Toxic Jungle
What Are Comments?
Onward and Ahead!
Around the Corner
U-Turn
Enemy Spotted
Scale the Slopes
Straightforward
What Are For Loops?
What Is Indentation?
Loop Ahead!
Fire, Forward, Repeat
Zig-Zag
Quiz

Description

Introduce your middle school class to coding. In this course, students get started with visual block coding, then move on to solving text-based coding problems in JavaScript and Python. Each lesson is designed for a class period of 45-60 minutes. Students learn on their own as they progress through interactive tutorials and coding puzzles, following along to build their own projects. In the first three lessons, students solve simple puzzles to learn the basics, build a 2-player game using the Tynker physics engine, and apply their coding knowledge to STEM subject areas. In the final two lessons, they move on to text coding in JavaScript and Python. All student work is automatically tracked and assessed, and with access to the premium offerings, you'll even be able to monitor their individual progress and mastery charts.

Topics

Sequencing
Repetition
Events
Conditional logic
Animation
Storytelling
Problem solving and debugging
Direction and turning

Technical Requirements

* Online courses require a modern desktop computer, laptop computer, Chromebook, or Netbook with Internet access and a Chrome (29+), Firefox (30+), Safari (7+), or Edge (20+) browser. No downloads required.

Lesson Plan

Lesson Plan

Lesson Plan

Lesson Plan

Lesson Plan

Lesson 5 : Intro to Python
Programming 300

Time: 60+ minutes

Introduction

In this lesson, students will learn basic Python commands as they go on a coding adventure to help Archie and Feather navigate exciting paths filled with enemies, sharp turns, pixie dust, and more! As students work through the different coding puzzles, they will gain a stronger mastery of Python syntax. Additionally, students will learn about comments, for loops, and indentations.

Teacher Tip: As students work through the modules, check that they…

Place one command on a line
Spell the command correctly
End the command with open and close parentheses

Python Commands Introduced

forward() Move the character one step forward.
turn_right() Turn the character to the right.
fire() Launch an arrow that moves 5 blocks in the direction the character is facing.
turn_left() Turn the character to the left.
jump() Make the character jump over a gap and land on the other side.

Vocabulary

Code: A language that computers can understand. Code is how you'll tell a device (like a computer, tablet, or iPhone) what to do.
Sequence: The order in which steps or events happen
Python: Python is a text-based programming language that is widely used in web development, game development, and scientific research.
Comments: Comments use certain symbols to document code and help other people understand what your code does. In Python, single line comments are started with a pound sign (#).
For loop: For loops execute the same code a certain number of times. They are useful when you need to count (e.g., count from 0 to 9) or repeat an action multiple times.
Syntax: Syntax is the set of rules that govern how a language is structured. Python syntax is a set of rules that define what correctly formatted code looks like, but if you write a line of code in Python with incorrect syntax, your program won’t run!

Objectives

Students will...

Use Python commands to move a character
Identify patterns in their code
Use for loops to reduce lines of code
Add descriptions to their code with comments

Materials

Computers, laptops, or mobile devices (1 per student) with student account access to Tynker.com

Warm-Up (5 minutes)

Let's get students excited to learn Python! Inform your class that popular apps such as Instagram, Uber, and Spotify are built using Python. Next, pair up students and ask them to discuss these short-response questions:

Do you know any fun facts about text-based programming languages such as Python? (Answers will vary.)
If you get stuck on a coding puzzle, what are some strategies you can use? (Suggested answer: re-read the question, ask a neighbor for help, take a short 15 second break and look away from the screen, etc.)

Activities (40+ minutes)

Facilitate as students complete all Intro to Python modules on their own:

1. Restore the Jungle! (Intro)

Students are introduced to the main characters, Archie and Feather.
Make sure students read the provided backstory before moving on to the next module.

2. Toxic Jungle (Puzzle)

This coding puzzle introduces the forward() command, which will move Archie forward one step each time it is used.
To solve this puzzle, students will need to use 2 forward() commands.
Are students struggling? Direct their attention to the hints at the bottom of the page. Here's what it looks like: