Lesson Overview
Students use the Artist environment to explore nested loops that draw complex patterns.
Teaching Summary
Getting Started
Activity: Artist: Patterns
Extended Learning
Lesson Objectives
Students will:
- Count the number of times an action should be repeated and represent it as a loop
- Divide the number of degrees in a circle into even segments
- Given a number of segments, calculate the degrees need to complete a circle
- Break complex tasks into smaller repeatable sections
- Combine simple shapes into complex designs with nested loops
- Compose complex patterns from multiple nested loops
Getting Started
Introduction
In this stage, students will explore how nesting loops several levels deep can allow them to create complex and beautiful repeating patterns. There are no assessments at the end of this stage, it is a final challenge to encourage students to push themselves.
Activity
Artist: Patterns
Extended Learning
Use these activities to enhance student learning. They can be used as outside of class activities or other enrichment.
Paper Pattern Building
Pair students, and assign each pair a basic geometric shape to examine. For that shape, they will do the following:
- Write instructions to draw that shape using a loop
- Write instructions to draw a row of that shape by repeating the previous loop
- Write instructions to draw a complex pattern by repeating the previous loop
- Use those instructions to walk another student through drawing that same pattern
Connections and Background Information
PARCC / Smarter Balanced Assessment Skills
- Click / tap
- Drag and drop
- Select object
- Use video player
ISTE Standards (formerly NETS)
- 1.a - Apply existing knowledge to generate new ideas, products, or processes.
- 1.c - Use models and simulation to explore complex systems and issues.
- 4.b - Plan and manage activities to develop a solution or complete a project.
- 6.a - Understand and use technology systems.
- 6.c - Troubleshoot systems and applications.
- 6.d - Transfer current knowledge to learning of new technologies.
CSTA K-12 Computer Science Standards
- CL.L1:3-02. Work cooperatively and collaboratively with peers teachers, and others using technology.
- CT.L1:3-01. Use technology resources (e.g., puzzles, logical thinking programs) to solve age appropriate problems.
- CT.L1:6-01. Understand and use the basic steps in algorithmic problem-solving.
- CPP.L1:6-05. Construct a program as a set of step-by-step instructions to be acted out.
- CPP.L1:6-06. Implement problem solutions using a block-based visual programming language.
- CT.L2-01. Use the basic steps in algorithmic problem solving to design solutions.
- CT.L2-06. Describe and analyze a sequence of instructions being followed.
- CT.L2-07. Represent data in a variety of ways: text, sounds, pictures, numbers.
- CT.L2-08. Use visual representations of problem states, structures, and data.
- CT.L2-12. Use abstraction to decompose a problem into sub problems.
- CT.L2-14. Examine connections between elements of mathematics and computer science including binary numbers, logic, sets, and functions.
- CT.L3A-03. Explain how sequence, selection, iteration, and recursion are building blocks of algorithms.
Next-Gen Science Standards
- 3-5-ETS1-2. Generate and compare multiple possible solutions to a problem based on how well each is likely to meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.
Common Core Mathematical Practices
- 1. Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.
- 2. Reason abstractly and quantitatively.
- 4. Model with mathematics
- 5. Use appropriate tools strategically.
- 6. Attend to precision.
- 7. Look for and make use of structure.
- 8. Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning.
Common Core Math Standards
- 3.OA.3 - Use multiplication and division within 100 to solve word problems in situations involving equal groups, arrays, and measurement quantities.
- 3.G.A.2 - Partition shapes into parts with equal areas. Express the area of each part as a unit fraction of the whole.
- 4.NBT.B.4 - Fluently add and subtract multi-digit whole numbers using the standard algorithm.
- 4.MD.A.3 - Apply the area and perimeter formulas for rectangles in real world and mathematical problems.
- 4.MD.C.5 - Recognize angles as geometric shapes that are formed wherever two rays share a common endpoint, and understand concepts of angle measurement.
- 4.MD.C.7 - Recognize angle measure as additive.
- 4.G.A.1 - Draw points, lines, line segments, rays, angles (right, acute, obtuse), and perpendicular and parallel lines.
- 4.G.A.2 - Classify two-dimensional figures based on the presence or absence of parallel or perpendicular lines, or the presence or absence of angles of a specified size.
- 4.G.A.3 - Recognize a line of symmetry for a two-dimensional figure as a line across the figure such that the figure can be folded along the line into matching part.
- 5.NBT.B.5 - Fluently multiply multi-digit whole numbers using the standard algorithm.
- 5.G.A.2 - Represent real world and mathematical problems by graphing points in the first quadrant of the coordinate plane, and interpret coordinate values of points in the context of the situation.
Common Core Language Arts Standards
- L.3.6 - Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate conversational, general academic, and domain-specific words and phrases, including those that signal spatial and temporal relationships.
- L.4.6 - Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases, including those that signal precise actions, emotions, or states of being and that are basic to a particular topic.
- L.5.6 - Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases, including those that signal contrast, addition, and other logical relationships.
