Minds On
Secret codes!
Explore the video on secret code.
Computers aren’t able to think for themselves, but we can give them instructions in order to complete a task.
Why is it important that our instructions are clear and specific when we are giving a computer a task to perform?
Explain your thinking digitally, orally or in print.
Action
Test your coding skills!
Now that you know why it is important to give computers clear instructions, we can test your coding skills.
The balloon dog and the balloon horse are trying to get to the school fun fair.
Can you help them get to the balloon booth? Let’s start with the balloon dog. The balloon dog is at (2,8). The balloon booth is at (7,2).
Using the instructions of forward, right, and left, write a sequence to move the balloon animal no more than 15 steps to get to the booth. Remember that we need to pay attention to the first position of our sprite, which in this case is our balloon dog.
A sprite is an object in the program that will perform actions.
A 9 × 9 grid with three objects on it: A balloon dog appears at (2, 8), a balloon horse appears at (1, 4), and a funfair booth appears at (7,2) on the grid.
A legend entitled Symbol Legend. Symbols from left to right: 1) an arrow pointing to the right labelled "Forward"; 2) An arrow pointing down labelled "Right"; 3) An arrow pointing up labelled "Left".
Document the steps you took (forward, left, or right) digitally, orally or in print, to show your thinking.
Next write the balloon horse their own sequence to get to the balloon booth.
The balloon horse is at (1,4). The balloon booth is at (7,2)
Two or more sequences happening at the same time are called concurrent events.
Consolidation
More fun at the fun fair!
Ted E. Bear wants to meet balloon dog at the fun fair balloon booth.
Ted E. Bear can’t get wet so must go around the water station.
Using the instructions of forward, right, and left, write one sequence of instructions to move Ted to the booth.
Ted E. Bear is (4,8).
The water station is at (3, 6), (4,6) and (5,6).
The balloon booth is at (2, 1).
A 9 × 9 grid with 4 objects on it. There is a bear at (4, 8), a balloon booth at (2, 1), and a lion at (7, 6). There is also a water station that spans across (3, 6), (4, 6) and (5, 6).
While Ted E. Bear is on the way, Dandy Lion is also going to meet Ted and balloon dog at the fun fair balloon booth.
Dandy Lion is at (7,6).
The water station is at (3, 6), (4,6) and (5,6).
The balloon booth is at (2,1).
Record Dandy Lion's route to the balloon booth in a notebook or a method of your choice.
Crossing paths?
Ted and Dandy are going through their instructions concurrently (at the same time).
Will Ted and Dandy meet along the way?
Record your ideas in a notebook or a method of your choice.
Reflection
How do you feel about what you have learned in this activity? Which of the next 4 sentences best matches how you are feeling about your learning? Press the button that is beside this sentence.
I feel...
Now, record your ideas about your feelings using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.