Hopscotch, the block based programming language we have been using on the iPads, has changed its look. Today we will write a simple Hopscotch program to learn the new user interface. Students who complete the exercise will also have learned how to add "Emoji" text symbols as sprites, which really increases the number of sprites available to choose from.

Here is a link the instructions for the program:

Dancing Sprites in the New Hopscotch

Today in class students will continue to work on challenges from the list. (See posts for lessons for Grades 5-7 on May 5 and May 12 for the complete list). Just three more Computer Science classes until the end of school!

Today in class we discussed the high level meaning of the Internet (a large collection of computers, all connected together, just like houses are connected by roads). Then we simulated an "Internet Traffic Jam" by doing this CSUnplugged activity "The Orange Game: Routing and Deadlocks

Students should be prepared to hand in at least one completed challenge by the end of class today. Be sure to tell Mme Sarah which one(s) you have completed, and that she has all the material needed to mark them (i.e. if you did a program in Scratch, is it shared AND in your studio).

More Challenges:

J. Complete this Flappy Bird Game Tutorial and create your own game. Email ([email protected]) or write down on a piece of paper the URL for your completed game so I can mark it. (3 points)

K. Read the following article on Ada Lovelace and write a short summary (1 - 2 paragraphs), AND answer the question: What did Ada Lovelace do that has made her famous in computer science? (3 points)

L. Fix the bugs in your "Touch or Avoid" Game.  Add descriptions of what you fixed on your project page. Tell Mme Sarah, otherwise she will not know it should be marked. (3 points)

Today, students will make their own version of the Flappy Bird game, using a tutorial from code.org.

Flappy Bird Game Tutorial

When finished, students should write down the URL of their game and give it to Mme Sarah, or copy and paste and email it to [email protected] from the iPad email account.

Students will receive comments and grades for their Touch or Avoid Project today. Just like on report cards, each student received a grade between 1 and 4, with the following interpretation:1: Beginning, 2: Developing, 3: Proficient, 4: Exceptional.

Parents:
- Pick up your child's yellow project booklet (or just the paper Rubric page if no booklet was handed in) in their hanging folder mailbox by the front door.
- Review the filled in Rubric with your child, and sign the included acknowledgement form.
- Put completed forms in the "Mme Sarah" hanging folder by the front door by Friday May 9, 2014.
- Alternatively, an acknowledgement email may be sent directly to Mme Sarah at [email protected].

Thank you!

From now until school ends, there are 5 more computer science classes. During these classes, students are to complete as many of the following challenges as possible. The idea is to have students do the work in class, but, if a student needs extra time, or wants to do bonus work, challenges may also be completed at home. 

At every class from May 12 to June 9, students may hand in work associated with at most two challenges. Successfully completed challenges are assigned the number of points indicated.

The total number of points awarded will be divided by 5, and along with the Touch or Avoid Project mark and a component for overall use of class time, this will be used to calculate the final term report card mark. (So, for example, students wishing to earn a 3 on their report card should aim to earn 3 points per week, and use their class time wisely.)

Challenge List:
A. Add your best Scratch Projects to your e-portfolio (2 points - mandatory)
B. Show your Touch or Avoid Program to a friend (1 point)
C. Write a Scratch program that generates the first 20 prime numbers (7 points)
D. Write a Scratch program that generates the first 20 Fibonacci Numbers.  The Fibonacci Sequence is 1,1,2,3,5,8,13,21,... the next number in the sequence is obtained from adding the previous two numbers. (6 points)
E. Write a Scratch program that asks the user to guess the random number between 1 and 20 picked by the program. After every guess, the user should be told if there guess is too high or too low, until she guesses the number correctly. (6 points)
F. Read Bruce Schneier's blog on choosing a password and write a paragraph summarizing what he said (about 8-10 sentences). (3 points)
G. Demonstrate how to sort 8 plastic eggs from lightest to heaviest using Quick Sort to Mme Sarah. For an explanation of Quick Sort, see the video and information booklet here. (3 points)
H. Remix the following Scratch program in a significant way (at least three of the suggestions in the program notes).  Share your project and add it to your studio: Scratch Pong Game. (3 points)
I. Remix the following Scratch program in a significant way (at least three of the suggestions in the program notes). Share your project and add it to your studio: Scratch Spiral Maker. (3 points)

This week in class, students will make a Hopscotch program that generates the Fibonacci Numbers. Below is a link to the instructions.

Fibonacci Numbers Hopscotch Program