Lesson Overview
In this lesson, students will be challenged to dig deep into what they have learned throughout their journey to solve a handful of complex puzzles.
Teaching Summary
Getting Started
Activity: Super Challenge - Variables
Lesson Objectives
Students will:
- Create programs that utilize repetition to create gorgeous designs
- Decompose large, difficult puzzles into managable pieces
- Use variables to capture patterns in complex tasks
Getting Started
Introduction
Remind your students of the lessons that they have done with variables previously.
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What kinds of things are variables good for?
- How does it help to move by "length" amount using artist?
- Why is it helpful to have the bee grab "nectarUnits" of nectar?
- Can you use variables as numbers in math equations?
Next, remind your students that this stage is intended to be very difficult and most puzzles will take several attempts to solve.
Activity
Super Challenge - Variables
This lesson explores the use of variables as a way to quickly change many values at one time. Not only will the students be dealing with the looping of designs and repetition of angles, they'll also be doing math on variables. It can be helpful for them to have paper and pencil to figure out values as they go. Also, let them know ahead of time that there will likely be some puzzles that confuse or frustrate them. This is normal, and expected. Students should prepare themselves for persistence and perseverance.
Connections and Background Information
PARCC / Smarter Balanced Assessment Skills
- Click / tap
- Drag and drop
- Select object
- Select and drag / slide
- Use video player
ISTE Standards (formerly NETS)
- 1a. Apply existing knowledge to generate new ideas, products, or processes
- 1c. Use models and simulation to explore complex systems and issues
- 4b. Plan and manage activities to develop a solution or complete a project
- 6a. Understand and use technology systems
- 6c. Troubleshoot systems and applications
- 6d. Transfer current knowledge to learning of new technologies
CSTA K-12 Computer Science Standards
- CT.L1:3-01 Use technology resources (e.g., puzzles, logical thinking programs) to solve age appropriate problems
- CL.L1:3-02 Work cooperatively and collaboratively with peers teachers, and others using technology
- CT.L1:6-01 Understand and use the basic steps in algorithmic problem-solving
- 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.L2-12 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
- 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
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
- 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.MD.C.6 Measure areas by counting unit squares (square cm, square m, square in, square ft, and improvised units)
- 4.NBT.B.4 Fluently add and subtract multi-digit whole numbers using the standard algorithm
- 4.OA.C.5 Generate a number or shape pattern that follows a given rule. Identify apparent features of the pattern that were not explicit in the rule itself
- 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
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
