2nd GRADE
​LESSON 1:  BUILDING A FOUNDATION

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LESSON MISSION

​1.)  I can create a plan to build a structure.

2.)  I can predict and discuss potential issues in
​      building a structure.

3.)  I can build a structure based on a team plan.  

4.)  I can revise both the plan and the structure until I
      successfully build a structure.

5.)  I can outline the steps in building a structure.

6.)  I can show persistence when things are hard.

LESSON INTRODUCTION

Let's talk about these questions...
  • Does everyone get everything right the first time?
  • If you don't accomplish something the first time you try it, does it mean that you will never accomplish it?
  • Can you think of something that was hard at first, but that you can do easily now?
Sometimes the best or most useful things are the hardest to learn.  Consider these things....
  • Learning to Walk 
  • Learning to Talk
  • Learning to Read
  • Learning to Write
  • Learning to Add and Subtract
  • Learning to Ride a Bike

TOOL BOX

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Look under the toolbox for important terms.
motto:  a short sentence or phrase that has meaning for a person

persistence:  trying again and again, even when something is very hard

coding: writing commands or actions as symbols

foundation: the first thing constructed in building a structure that is built to support the structure or keep it from falling
My Life Motto
  • I have a motto that I live my life by.  I hope at the end of this lesson, you too will live by this motto.
  • A motto is a short sentence or phrase that has meaning for a person.
My Motto Is:
When you keep trying again and again, even when something is very hard, you are showing persistence.  It is not easy to be persistent.  It is much easier to give up.  After today's lesson, you will begin learning how to code.  Coding is writing commands or actions as symbols.  There will be times when it seems very hard and you might even want to give up.  This is why I wanted to have a lesson about persistence before we start coding.
INTRODUCTION ACTIVITY
In today's lesson, you will learn how to build a foundation for coding.  A foundation is the first thing constructed in building a structure that it is built to support the structure or keep it from falling.  To begin our lesson, we will watch a video.
ACTIVITY INSTRUCTIONS
Follow the instructions below:
  1. Click on your class icon below to go to your Code.org Classroom.  
  2. Put in your password.  
  3. Click on the Unplugged button next to Lesson 1:  Persistence - Building a Foundation.  
  4. Put on your headphones and watch the video.  
  5. When you have finished, put your headphones back on the hook and wait quietly until your classmates have finished.

LESSON ACTIVITY

In this activity, you will work to construct a tower that is strong enough to hold a book for at least 10 seconds.  Each group will receive a packet of the following materials:   

ACTIVITY INSTRUCTIONS

  1. You will get an package of materials. 
  2. You will work with your group to construct a tower that is strong enough to hold a book for at least 10 seconds. 
  3. The tower must be taller than the cup in your packet.
  4. You will write a plan in steps for building the tower.
  5. ​You will construct the tower according to the plan.
  6. You will raise your hands for the teacher to watch your test.
  7. You will test the tower using the notebook.  
  8. If your tower is taller than the cup and holds the notebook for 10 seconds, then you will complete the Outline Organizer.
  9. If your tower is not taller than the cup and/or does not hold the notebook for 10 seconds, then you will revise your plan, reconstruct your tower, call over the teacher, and test your plan again. 
  10. Show persistence and a positive attitude if you do not succeed.

The Rules

  1. You can only use the supplies in the packet. 
  2. You may not borrow supplies from other teams.
  3. You may not have any extra supplies.
  4. You may not copy any other team's design.
  5. You may not leave your team's table.
  6. The tower can be any shape, but it must be taller than the cup.
  7. The tower must support the weight of the notebook for ten seconds.
  8. Your test does not count if the teacher does not watch the test.

REFLECTION

So, did you accomplish the Lesson Mission Today?  Let's find out.  Click on the icon below to do the Persistence Challenge.

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

CONGRATULATIONS!

Coding Lesson 1:  Building a Foundation is complete.
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​You have accomplished your mission!

LESSON RESOURCES

​This lesson was created using the following resources.
Code.org
​Studio.code.org. (2017). Code.org. [online] Available at: https://studio.code.org/s/courseb [Accessed 20 Nov. 2017].

AL STATE TECHNOLOGY STANDARDS

The following Alabama State Technology Standards were addressed in this lesson:

​2nd Grade Computational Thinker:

Abstraction
  • Standard 1:  Create and sort information into useful order using digital tools.  Examples: Sort data spreadsheets A-Z, simple filters, and tables.
Algorithms
  • Standard 2:  Create an algorithm for other learners to follow.  Examples: Unplugged coding, illustrate sequence of a process such as making a sandwich.
Programming and Development
  • Standard 3:  Construct elements of a simple computer program using basic commands.  Examples: Online drag-and-drop programming, basic robotics