Y3 CODING

Lesson Focus

Children can explain that computer code controls a great many of today's gadgets.
Log into Code.org
Understand the instructions shown on the screen.
Work through the various sections.
Solve each problem by using reason and logic.
Childen can explain that an algorithm is a set of rules that can be used to complete a problem.
Children move from solving simple problems to much more complex problems using loops.
Children understand that a “loop” in coding allows the same code to be repeated several times.
Children are able to log into Scratch using a username a password.
Understand the screen layout.
Start to create simple programs using Scratch coding blocks.
Children can explain the different sections such as coding window, sprite and backdrop.
Children are able to describe what a sprite is and how to manipulate it using code blocks.
Children can upload and modify sprites.
Code and debug problems with their program.
Complete the dice program and describe how it works.
Children are able to gather data and present that data as a graph.
Children will be able to reason if the throws of the dice a random from the data collected.

Digital Skills & Computing Focus

Log into a computer and their Google Account.
Access Google Classroom.
Able to identify the set assignment and follow instructions.
Log into Code.org and Scratch with a username and password.
Able to follow instructions on code.org.
Children to work independently through the different sections.
Children understand coding terminology such as “debug” and “algorithm”.
Children log into Scratch and start to write their first programs.
Children can explain how to upload sprites.
Children can explain the following code: forever, repeat, pick random, goto, next, wait until, bounce, glide.
Follow instructions on how to build the “dice” program.
Able to “debug” their mistake and add extra code where necessary.
Run and customise the program.
Open and start to work on the Google Doc template.
Complete the different sections.
Open the Google Sheets template.
Collect and enter the necessary data.
Add data to Google Sheets.
Create a graph.
Inset and link the graph into Google Docs.
Use the graph to easily interpret the data collected

Coding

After a long break due to lockdown year 3 has finally started to do some coding with Code.org and Scratch. code.org is a great program to introduce children to coding, it starts with some very easy challenges that get harder and harder. We all know Scratch, possibly the most popular coding site used in primary school.

Gathering Data

This lesson wasn't just about coding, we wanted children to incorporate some extra skills as well. The challenge was to simulate the rolling of a dice in Scratch. What we asked children was "is the roll completely random or could the next number be predicted"? We used Google Sheets to visualise our data and the children come to their a conclusion.

Best of both worlds

CODE.ORG & SCRATCH

We started on coed.org, which has a very simple introduction to coding with each section gradually getting harder and harder. After a couple of weeks, we move on to the main lesson and which was coding with Scratch.

Children worked through the various stages of coding their "dice" program and debug any problems. Once finished we could move on to collecting data.

Gathering data

Collecting & Displaying Data

We asked children if they thought the roll was random and if it was possible to predict the next number. Did some numbers appear more often than others?

Children collected data in paper format after each spin and transferred that information to Google Sheets then visualised that data in graph form.

You can see the paper collection sheets and children working on their graphs in the slide show on the right.

Worksheets

Y2 Coding Slider

As usual, children also complete a simple worksheet on Google Classroom. They linked their graph produced on Google Sheets to their worksheet so any modification made will be updated in Docs. Children really enjoyed customising their graphs using different colours and styles.

Decode the code

Above you see the finished program and on the right you can see the code but it's all mixed up. Can you put the code back in the right order to make a working program? Click the green flag to start.

Download Dice Here

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