Intro to Blockly
4-Day Lesson Plan
**Need a K-1 version, check it out HERE
DAY 1
What are robots?
&
Understanding Blockly
Day 1 Teacher Notes
Lesson Overview
Hi! I’m Dash!
I am a robot.
What do you think
a robot does?
Robots are machines that can complete jobs without needing a person, because they have computers inside of them.
Here are some everyday robots:
Can you think of other examples?
Drones
Vacuums
Factory Machines
Robots run a program that tells them how to do their job.
Most robots don’t think.
They follow commands.
They can do the same job over and over again in exactly the same way.
Dash can launch the ball over and over again, and sink the basket every time.
What is Coding?
Coding is writing the set of instructions that a computer or robot reads to complete
a task.
What is a Computer Program?
A computer program is a set of instructions a computer follows. It is the software we use!
What is Block Coding?
Block Coding is a coding language where each block is an instruction and you drag the blocks into the order you want the instructions to go.
How Do You Use Blocks?
Logging into Blockly on a Tablet
2. Tap “Student”
3. Type teacher code
4. Tap “Profiles”
5. Find and tap your class
6. Tap your name
Logging into Blockly on a Computer
Start with code.makewonder.com
2. Tap Blockly
3. Tap “Student”
4. Type teacher code
4. Tap “Profiles”
5. Find and tap your class
6. Tap your name
Connect
Projects
Blank Project
2. Tap Create New
3. Blank Project & Create
4. Ready to program!
How to Start a New Project in Blockly
1. Without Dash, open up the Blockly app
2. Use Blockly to help you complete the scavenger hunt. You may have to tap inside blocks to find the answers!
Blockly Scavenger Hunt
Share & Reflect
DAY 2
Exploring Coding & Understanding Blockly
Day 2 Teacher Notes
Lesson Overview
What do you think it means “to code”?
What is Coding?
Coding is writing the set of instructions that a computer or robot reads to complete
a task.
Dash uses block coding in Blockly to write programs.
What do the Blocks mean in Blockly?
START
Connect your first block to the ‘When Start’ block. If nothing is attached, nothing happens when you run your program.
DRIVE
Drive blocks control where and how Dash moves! Forward and Backward blocks use centimeters as units, and turns refer to degrees as the unit of the turn angle.
LOOK
Make Dash’s head move up, down, left, or right. Units refer to degrees. Degree units are absolute, meaning Left 30 sets the head at 30 degrees left from a neutral straight position.
LIGHT
Make Dash’s head move up, down, left, or right. Units refer to degrees.
Degree units are absolute, meaning Left 30 sets the head at 30 degrees left from a neutral straight position.
Dash loves to play sounds- go to each category and pick a sound to add some fun effects to your programs!
You also have the option to record your own sound.
SOUND
Use Animations to make Dash do fun dances, greetings, expressions and more!
ANIMATIONS
Control how Dash interacts with its environment.
To change the time, location or trigger for the program, tap inside the rectangles on the block for more options.
The more detailed your program gets, these blocks will help streamline your code and make less mistakes.
CONTROL
In programming, variables act like boxes to hold values. They’re called “variables” because what’s in them can ‘vary’ or change.
Why would you want to use a variable?
VARIABLES
ACCESSORY
Attach an accessory to Dash; Gripper Building Kit, Sketch Kit or Launcher and use these special blocks to make them move.
Gripper Building Kit
Launcher
Sketch Kit
Building Brick Connectors (no extra programming required)
Complete the following activities.
Save for the next 2 days!
Share & Reflect
DAY 3
Coding Unplugged
Day 3 Teacher Notes
Lesson Overview
What are some things you have had to practice to get better at?
Coding takes a lot of practice!
The more you practice and learn, the better at coding you’ll become.
Having a growth mindset is important to help you keep going, even when things are a challenge.
Coding Unplugged
Robot
Programmer
Following the steps in a program without a device
Take turns with a partner being each role and using the programs on the worksheet.
Share & Reflect
DAY 4
Coding with Dash
Day 4 Teacher Notes
Lesson Overview
Taking Care of Dash
Connect Your Dash Robot to Blockly
2. Launch Blockly, if necessary, re-enter your teacher code and find your profile
4. Choose your robot
**Make sure device bluetooth is turned on
3. Tap the orange plus sign to connect Dash
Coding in Blockly
Robot
Programmer
Take turns with a partner being each role and using the programs on the worksheet.
The programmer will build the code in Blockly and the other partner will be in charge of Dash and placing it where it needs to go for each challenge.
Use Blockly to program the answers to your activities.
Bonus Challenges
How can you code Dash to…
Share & Reflect
Email Address
contactnaomimeredith@gmail.com
Website
naomimeredith.com
@naomimeredith_
YouTube & TpT Shop
Naomi Meredith
Podcasts
The Elementary STEM Coach &
STEM Career Quest
Naomi Meredith is an online K-5 STEM Coach in Colorado supporting elementary teachers world-wide navigate the best practices, strategies and tools with her podcasts, curriculum and resources. Naomi has over a decade of experience teaching, 5 years teaching elementary STEM, along with a M.Ed. in STEM Leadership and STEM Certificate.