Introduction to Coding

Veronica Slemp
Options 7A / 7B
 Table of Contents

Unit Plan Rationale……………………………………………………………………………......3

Stage 1: Desired Results……………………………………………………………………….….4
Stage 2: Assessment Evidence……….…………………………………………………………....4
Unit Plan Grid Organizer………………………………………………………………………….5
Lesson Plan Summaries…………………………………………………………………………...5
Classroom Management and Behaviour Plans……………………………………...………….....6
Appendix…………………………………………………………………………………………..7
References………………………………………………………………………………...…….....8

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 Unit Plan Rationale

This unit was created for my Options 7A and Options 7B classes. In these classes, students

explore various subjects typically viewed as “options classes”, each presented as mini units. This unit will

last five classes over the span of two weeks and will serve as an introduction to coding. Since there is no

coding or computer science curriculum, I made up my own learning outcomes.

As our world becomes increasingly reliant on technology, technological skills and knowledge are

extremely valuable. Knowing basic coding syntax will help my students be more successful in a

technological future and will help them widen the scope of their knowledge. It may even pique their

interest and encourage them to explore coding on a deeper level. I have chosen two programs to teach my

students coding during this unit: CodeCombat and Minecraft Hour of Code. CodeCombat is a website that

students can sign up for, allowing teachers to track their progress. Students progress through dungeons,

programming their hero to defeat enemies, collect gems, and dodge fireballs. It teaches coding techniques

such as using arguments, variables, strings, and while true loops. Minecraft Hour of Code is a website that

presents four adventures, each one building on the ideas of the previous adventure. For this unit my

students will be working through the first adventure, called Minecraft Voyage Aquatic. Students control

their character using basic coding syntax to solve puzzles, such as moving their character to a chest or

rowing a boat through a maze. While this program teaches many of the same skills as CodeCombat, it

also introduces if/then statements and allows students to freely use their newly acquired skills in level 12,

the last level.

I chose to summatively assess students on level 12 because it does not give them a task, other

than to decorate the level however they want, using various sea creatures and blocks. For this assessment,

students will demonstrate knowledge of coding by using at least one when true loop and at least one

if/then statement. Students are free to decorate the space as they please, as long as they fulfill those two

parameters. Students will be formatively assessed throughout this unit on their completion of

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CodeCombat levels 1-5 and Minecraft Voyage Aquatic levels 1-11, as their completion demonstrates

proper application of the skills they are learning.

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 Unit Assessment Plan
Subject: Options Topic: Introduction to Coding
Grade: 7 Length: 5 classes (2 weeks)
Stage 1 – Desired Results
Established Goals (GLEs):
Students will be able to…
 Use basic coding syntax to solve puzzles in two coding programs
Constructs: Essential Questions:
2-3 overarching statements summarising  How does coding work?
learning after you have unpacked the  How can we use coding to solve puzzles
outcomes in various coding programs?

Specific Learning Goals (SLEs):
Students will be able to…
 Use basic Python syntax to solve puzzles in CodeCombat
 Use basic coding syntax to solve puzzles in Minecraft Hour of Code: Voyage Aquatic
Prior understandings… Where does this lead?
 Know how to operate a laptop  Students will have basic coding skills and
knowledge that will help them in a future
that values technology
Stage 2 – Assessment Evidence
Pre-Assessment(s)
 Discussion – ask if they know anything about coding, programming, or computer science,
and ask them:
1. What is coding?
2. Why is coding used?
Formative Assessment
 Complete CodeCombat level 5
Summative Assessment
 Complete Minecraft Hour of Code: Voyage Aquatic
Other Evidence (observations, work samples, dialogues)
 Conversation and observation when circulating the classroom

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EDUC 3601 Music C&I Griffioen/2021

Unit Plan Grid Organizer

Unit Topic: Introduction to Coding Grade Level: 7 Strand: N/A

GLEs in full: Use basic coding syntax to solve puzzles in two coding programs
SLEs in full:
 Use basic Python syntax to solve puzzles in CodeCombat
 Use basic coding syntax to solve puzzles in Minecraft Hour of Code: Voyage Aquatic
Music/Materials to be learned in the unit: N/A

Lesson Plan Summaries

(point form descriptions of your activities)
Lesson SLEs: Learning Instructional Strategies/ Assessments and
Date (Abbrev.) Objectives (B.P.M.) Methods/Activities/Resources Evaluation (FA
or SA)
April 14 Use coding to  SWBAT use coding to demonstrate knowledge of basic  Pre-assessment: discuss FA – Complete
solve puzzles Python syntax by completing CodeCombat levels 1-4 coding and what it is used levels 1-4 of
in for CodeCombat
CodeCombat  CodeCombat – get students
signed up
 Demonstrate the first level
and hep students as needed
April 15 Use coding to  SWBAT use coding to demonstrate knowledge of strings  CodeCombat – try to make it FA – Complete
solve puzzles by completing CodeCombat levels 5-8 past level 3 levels 5-8 of
in  SWBAT use coding to demonstrate knowledge of basic  Help students as needed CodeCombat
CodeCombat Python syntax by completing CodeCombat levels 5-8
April 16 Use coding to  SWBAT use coding to demonstrate knowledge of while  CodeCombat – try to make it FA – complete
solve puzzles true loops by completing CodeCombat levels 9-12 past level 5 levels 9-12 of
in  SWBAT use coding to demonstrate knowledge of basic  Help students as needed CodeCombat
CodeCombat Python syntax by completing CodeCombat levels 9-12
 SWBAT use coding to demonstrate knowledge of strings
by completing CodeCombat levels 9-12
April 21 Use coding to  SWBAT use coding to demonstrate knowledge of  Watch the Minecraft Voyage FA –complete
solve puzzles functions by completing Minecraft Voyage Aquatic levels Aquatic video levels 1-6 of
EDUC 3601 Music C&I Griffioen/2021

in Minecraft 1-6  Demonstrate the first level of Minecraft Voyage

Voyage  SWBAT use coding to demonstrate knowledge of while Minecraft Voyage Aquatic Aquatic
Aquatic true loops by completing Minecraft Voyage Aquatic levels  Help students as needed
1-6
April 22 Use coding to  SWBAT use coding to demonstrate knowledge of  Continue working through FA – complete
solve puzzles functions by completing Minecraft Voyage Aquatic levels Minecraft = Voyage Aquatic Minecraft Voyage
in Minecraft 7-12 until it is complete Aquatic levels 7-
Voyage  SWBAT use coding to demonstrate knowledge of while  Help students as needed 11
Aquatic true loops by completing Minecraft Voyage Aquatic levels  If students finish early, have
7-12 them sign up and go through SA – complete
 SWBAT use coding to demonstrate knowledge of if/then Minecraft Hero’s Journey Minecraft Voyage
statements by completing Minecraft Voyage Aquatic Aquatic level 12
levels 7-12

Classroom Management and Behavior Plans

Make up names for 2 students (first name and last initial). Student A has ADHD, Student B is a concern behaviourally. List strategies to help these
students be successful
Student A: Sarah P. Student B: Robert H.
 Ask effective questions to engage Sarah  Surround Robert with students who demonstrate effective listening in the
 Include proper wait time when asking questions classroom as an example for him
 Include lots of demonstration for further clarification  Include periodic movement and water breaks
 Include periodic movement and water breaks  Encourage Robert to use undisruptive fidget toys when appropriate
 Surround Sarah with students who do not distract her  Practice effective breathing with the ensemble when there is tension
 Encourage Sarah to use undisruptive fidget toys when appropriate  Praise effective listeners
 Allow students to step outside if they need a quick break  Allow students to step outside if they need a quick break
EDUC 3601 Music C&I Griffioen/2021
EDUC 3601 Music C&I Griffioen/2021

Appendix
CodeCombat Rubric (FA):
Complete Incomplete
Students use basic Python syntax to complete CodeCombat
levels 1-4
Students use strings to complete CodeCombat levels 5-8

Students use while true loops to complete CodeCombat

levels 9-12

Minecraft Voyage Aquatic Rubric (FA):

Complete Incomplete
Students use functions to complete Minecraft Voyage
Aquatic levels 1-3
Students use while true loops to complete Minecraft Voyage
Aquatic levels 4-6
Students use if/then statements to complete Minecraft
Voyage Aquatic levels 7-11

Minecraft Voyage Aquatic Rubric (SA):

Complete Incomplete
Students correctly use a while true loop in Minecraft Voyage
Aquatic level 12
Students correctly use an if/then statement in Minecraft
Voyage Aquatic level 12
EDUC 3601 Music C&I Griffioen/2021

References

CodeCombat Inc. (2021). CodeCombat.. https://codecombat.com/

Code.org. (2021). Minecraft Hour of Code Tutorials. https://code.org/minecraft