Text based I/O and Variables in Scratch

CS0

Abstract

Students explore the use of the ask, answer, and join blocks to create simple Scratch stories that ask the human user to answer questions and then use the responses in future parts of the story.  They make predictions about code that they have never seen before.  They are confronted with the need for multiple variables to store multiple pieces of data at the same time through a failed example.  Finally, students apply everything they have learned to create a mad-lib style telling of the "Hey Diddle Diddle."  In this they ask for seven pieces of information and then tell a customized version of the nursery rhyme.  Additionally, groups respond to several questions/writing prompts where they must synthesize what they have learned and a comparison/contrast of the answer vs variable blocks.

This activity was developed with NSF support through IUSE-1626765. You may request access to this activity via the following link: IntroCS-POGIL Activity Writing Program. 

• Level: High School and Undergraduate
• Setting: Classroom
• Activity Type: Learning Cycle
• Discipline: Computer Science
• Course: Introduction to Programming (CS0 or CS1)
• Keywords: Scratch, text-based I/O, variables