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Veronica Slemp
Options 7A / 7B
Table of Contents
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Unit Plan Rationale
This unit was created for my Options 7A and Options 7B classes. In these classes, students
explore various subjects typically viewed as “options classes”, each presented as mini units. This unit will
last five classes over the span of two weeks and will serve as an introduction to coding. Since there is no
As our world becomes increasingly reliant on technology, technological skills and knowledge are
extremely valuable. Knowing basic coding syntax will help my students be more successful in a
technological future and will help them widen the scope of their knowledge. It may even pique their
interest and encourage them to explore coding on a deeper level. I have chosen two programs to teach my
students coding during this unit: CodeCombat and Minecraft Hour of Code. CodeCombat is a website that
students can sign up for, allowing teachers to track their progress. Students progress through dungeons,
programming their hero to defeat enemies, collect gems, and dodge fireballs. It teaches coding techniques
such as using arguments, variables, strings, and while true loops. Minecraft Hour of Code is a website that
presents four adventures, each one building on the ideas of the previous adventure. For this unit my
students will be working through the first adventure, called Minecraft Voyage Aquatic. Students control
their character using basic coding syntax to solve puzzles, such as moving their character to a chest or
rowing a boat through a maze. While this program teaches many of the same skills as CodeCombat, it
also introduces if/then statements and allows students to freely use their newly acquired skills in level 12,
I chose to summatively assess students on level 12 because it does not give them a task, other
than to decorate the level however they want, using various sea creatures and blocks. For this assessment,
students will demonstrate knowledge of coding by using at least one when true loop and at least one
if/then statement. Students are free to decorate the space as they please, as long as they fulfill those two
parameters. Students will be formatively assessed throughout this unit on their completion of
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CodeCombat levels 1-5 and Minecraft Voyage Aquatic levels 1-11, as their completion demonstrates
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Unit Assessment Plan
Subject: Options Topic: Introduction to Coding
Grade: 7 Length: 5 classes (2 weeks)
Stage 1 – Desired Results
Established Goals (GLEs):
Students will be able to…
Use basic coding syntax to solve puzzles in two coding programs
Constructs: Essential Questions:
2-3 overarching statements summarising How does coding work?
learning after you have unpacked the How can we use coding to solve puzzles
outcomes in various coding programs?
Specific Learning Goals (SLEs):
Students will be able to…
Use basic Python syntax to solve puzzles in CodeCombat
Use basic coding syntax to solve puzzles in Minecraft Hour of Code: Voyage Aquatic
Prior understandings… Where does this lead?
Know how to operate a laptop Students will have basic coding skills and
knowledge that will help them in a future
that values technology
Stage 2 – Assessment Evidence
Pre-Assessment(s)
Discussion – ask if they know anything about coding, programming, or computer science,
and ask them:
1. What is coding?
2. Why is coding used?
Formative Assessment
Complete CodeCombat level 5
Summative Assessment
Complete Minecraft Hour of Code: Voyage Aquatic
Other Evidence (observations, work samples, dialogues)
Conversation and observation when circulating the classroom
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EDUC 3601 Music C&I Griffioen/2021
Appendix
CodeCombat Rubric (FA):
Complete Incomplete
Students use basic Python syntax to complete CodeCombat
levels 1-4
Students use strings to complete CodeCombat levels 5-8
References