Day 1
01 Workshop Opener 02 Blind Spots 03 Break 04 Intro to App Lab 05 Intro Circuit Playground 06 Previously, on Unit 6 07 Lunch 08 Model Lesson 09 Model Lesson Reflection 10 Break 11 Curriculum Investigation 12 Conclusions and Connections 13 Wrap Up 14 Debrief

Session 11: Curriculum Investigation

70 minutes

lesson exploration

Purpose

The purpose of this session is for participants to investigate Unit 6 and reflect on how they will implement the lessons with their students. Although it is not possible to cover all unit content in a one day workshop, core concepts are highlighted within this investigation. The overall goal of this session is for participants to reflect on the “Learning through Creation” while also reflecting on the implementation of various activity levels within a level progression.

Objectives

  • Participants have been exposed to the essential content knowledge necessary to plan and implement selected lessons in Unit 6
  • Participants have been exposed to the essential content knowledge necessary to plan and implement selected lessons in Unit 6
  • Participants reflect on ways to support “Learning through Creation” within their classrooms

Supplies & Prep

Room Setup:

  • Participants are seated in pods (you might want to consider creating affinity groups here e.g. grade level groups, teaching the unit vs not teaching the unit, etc.)

Facilitator Supplies:

Teacher Materials:

Agenda

Investigation 1 (20 minutes)

Investigation 2 (20 minutes)

Investigation 3 (20 minutes)

Wrap Up (10 minutes)

Facilitation Guide

Investigation 1 (20 minutes)

(15 minutes) Investigate Lesson 6

Remarks

Lesson 6 follows the lesson that was just modeled. In this lesson, students will continue to use their Circuit Playground in conjunction with App Lab, with a new focus on getting and setting properties of different elements on the screen. As you investigate this lesson, notice the different types of activity levels you encounter within a skill building progression.

Investigation Goal: Experiment with taking input with getProperty()

Investigation Task:

  • Complete Levels 1 - 7
  • Continue through the level progression if time allows

(5 minutes) Discussion

After fifteen minutes, the facilitator brings the group’s attention to step 2 of the Activity Guide - Curriculum Investigation. Participants are instructed to discuss the prompts and take notes in their Activity Guide with a partner. After the five minute discussion, participants are encouraged to move on to the next lesson investigation.

Prompts:

  • Assessment Level: How will you use the assessment level with your students?
  • Learning through Creation: What skills will students gain in this lesson that might help them expand their creativity in less scaffolded activities?

Investigation 2 (20 minutes)

(15 minutes) Investigate Lesson 7

Remarks

You will now investigate the lesson that comes immediately after the lesson you just explored. In this lesson, students will write programs that respond to the environment through circuit playground sensors.

Investigation Goal: Experiment with taking input with analog sensors

Investigation Task:

  • Complete Levels 1 - 6
  • Continue through the level progression if time allows

(5 minutes) Discussion

After fifteen minutes, the facilitator brings the group’s attention to step 2 of the Activity Guide - Curriculum Investigation. Participants are instructed to discuss the prompts with a partner. After the five minute discussion, participants are encouraged to move on to the next lesson investigation.

Prompts:

  • Map Levels: What is the benefit of having the Map Level at the end of a skill building progression? How will you use Map Levels with your students?
  • Learning through Creation: How will students reflect on and document their learning during this lesson?

Investigation 3 (20 minutes)

(15 minutes) Investigate Lesson 9

Remarks

Lesson 9 is the Chapter 1 project. Students will apply the skills and knowledge they have gained from previous lessons to design and create a game using the Circuit Playground that leverages inputs and outputs.

Investigation Goal: Explore the Unit 6 Chapter 1 project resources and examples

Investigation Task:

  • Read the full lesson plan
  • Navigate to Unit 6 Lesson 9 Level 1 in Code Studio. Explore the project resources (rubric, CS practices reflection, project guide, sample marked rubrics)
  • Complete Level 2

(5 minutes) Discussion

After fifteen minutes, the facilitator brings the group’s attention to step 2 of the Activity Guide - Curriculum Investigation. Participants are instructed to discuss the prompts with a partner.

Prompts:

  • Problem Solving Process for Programming: How will you use the Problem Solving Process for Programming to support your students in completing the Chapter 1 project?
  • Learning through Creation: Learning through creation presents an opportunity for students to create solutions to problems. How can you support students in using the Problem Solving Process for Programming to create something that solves a problem for the betterment of the world?

Wrap Up (10 minutes)

(3 minutes) Unit Reflection

Remarks

At this point, we have done one model lesson and investigated 3 additional lessons in Unit 6. Now, let’s shift to thinking about the unit as a whole as we continue to dig into the idea of “Learning through Creation.” Go to the last page of the Activity Guide - Curriculum Investigation. Reflecting on the unit as a whole, answer the “Learning through Creation” question.

Prompt: When students have the opportunity to create, there is an additional opportunity for self expression. How will you promote self expression through creation while implementing Unit 6 with your students?

(7 minutes) Share Out

Participants share their ideas with the whole group