Classroom Resources

This lesson combines all three types of binary representation systems (ASCII characters, binary number, and images) to allow for the encoding of more complex types of information in a record. After seeing a series of bits and being asked to decode them, the class is introduced to the idea that understanding binary information requires the understanding of both the system that is being used and the meaning of the information encoded.

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Students have a discussion on the different levels of security they would like for personal data. Once the class has developed an understanding of the importance of privacy, they learn about the process of encrypting information by enciphering a note for a partner and deciphering the partner's note. The class concludes with a discussion about the importance of both physical and digital security.

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This lesson introduces the binary number system. With a set of cards that represent the place values in a binary (base-2) number system, the class turns bits "on" or "off" by turning cards face up and face down, then observes the numbers that result from these different patterns. Eventually, the pattern is extended to a generic 4-bit system.

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This lesson continues the study of binary representation systems, this time with images. The class is introduced to the concept of splitting images into squares or "pixels," which can then be turned on or off individually to make the entire image. After doing a short set of challenges using the Pixelation Widget, the class makes connections between the system for representing images and the system for representing text they learned in the previous lesson.

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This lesson introduces a formal binary system for encoding information, the ASCII system for representing letters and other characters. At the beginning of the lesson, the teacher introduces the fact that computers must represent information using either "on" or "off". The class is then introduced to the ASCII system for representing text using binary symbols and practices using this system before encoding their own messages using ASCII.

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By combining the Draw Loop and the Counter Pattern, the class writes programs that move sprites across the screen, as well as animate other sprite properties.

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This lesson introduces Boolean values and logic, as well as conditional statements. The class starts by playing a simple game of Stand Up, Sit Down in which the Boolean (true/false) statements describe personal properties (hair or eye color, clothing type, age, etc). The class then groups objects based on increasingly complex Boolean statements then looks at how conditionals can impact the flow of a program.

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The class starts by using Booleans to compare the current value of a sprite property with a target value, using that comparison to determine when a sprite has reached a point on the screen, grown to a given size, or otherwise reached a value using the counter pattern. After using Booleans directly to investigate the values or sprite properties, the class adds conditional if statements to write code that responds to those Boolean comparisons.

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Following the introduction to Booleans and if statements in the previous lesson, students are introduced to a new block called keyDown() which returns a Boolean and can be used in conditionals statements to move sprites around the screen. By the end of this lesson, students will have written programs that take keyboard input from the user to control sprites on the screen.

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The class continues to explore ways to use conditional statements to take user input. In addition to the simple keyDown() command learned yesterday, the class learns about several other keyboard input commands as well as ways to take mouse input.

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