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Unit 3: Intro To Programming

This unit introduces the foundational concepts of computer programming. Students will learn Javascript to write their own Apps.

Topic
Purpose
Lesson
U3Ch1L1_The Need For Programming. Students write instructions for building a small arrangement of LEGO® blocks and trade with a classmate to see if they can follow the commands to construct the same arrangement. Click here.
U3Ch1L2_The Need For Algorithms. Students write an algorithm that will allow them to find the minimum card in a row of 8 cards. Click here.
U3Ch1L3_Creativity In Algorithms.

Students rewrite their minimum card algorithm to move the minimum card to the front of the row. They are provided with an additional command: "SWAP."

Click here.
U3Ch1L4_Using Simple Commands. Students use the App Lab programming environment for the first time and become acquainted with the turtle. They will draw an image of a 3x3 grid using a limited set of only 4 commands. Click here.
U3Ch1L5_Creating Functions. Students learn to define and call their own Functions in order to create and give a name to a group of commands for easy and repeated use in their code. Click here.
U3Ch1L6_Functions And Top Down Design. Students learn about top-down design strategies for solving more complex programming problems by breaking the problem down into small parts that can be named and represented as functions. Click here.
U3Ch1L7_APIs and Using Functions With Parameters. Students read and use App Lab’s API documentation to learn about new turtle commands that they must use to complete a series of drawing puzzles. Click here.
U3Ch1L8_Creating Functions With Parameters. Students practice using and creating functions with parameters to generalize behavior that can vary. Click here.
U3Ch1L9_Looping and Random Numbers. Students learn to use a simplified version of a For Loop to add repetition to their code. Click here.
U3Ch1L10_Design A Digital Scene. Students work in groups of 3 or 4 to design and write the code for a program that draws a digital scene of their choosing. Students break the scene down into small parts and divvy up the code writing amongst the team. Each individual's code is combined at the end to create the full scene. Click here.
 Unit 3 Review & Test  The Unit 3 test is based upon the primary programming terms and skills they have been learning you have been learning and applying in this unit over the past few weeks. Review:
Click Here. 


Questions? jharrington@sthelenaunified.org