Applying
Computational
Thinking to Language
Arts
• Today, you will be applying
Computational Thinking to
Language Arts to understand:
• Plot, in terms of decision-
Applying CT to
Language Arts making, and cause & effect
• Watch the video on the next slide
to recap Plot
Recap: Plot
• Plot: sequence of events in a
story linked by cause and
effect
• These events can often be
determined by decisions that
Recap: Plot characters make
• Take a quick second look at
“The Monkey’s Paw” so that you
have a sense of the decisions
made in the story
Algorithmic Thinking:
How do Planning the Narrative: Develop a step-by-step plan for the
story based on Freytag's Pyramid.
we apply Exposition: Introduce the kingdom, the king and queen, and
the birth of princess.
Computati Rising Action: The curse by Evil Witch, princess's confinement,
onal and the fairy godmothers' protective measures.
Thinking? Climax: Princess pricks her finger and falls into a deep sleep as
the curse takes effect.
Falling Action: The kingdom falls into a deep sleep, the arrival
of the prince, and the awakening of princess.
Resolution: The reunion of princess and the prince, and the
restoration of the kingdom.
Pattern Recognition:
How do Identify Story Patterns: Recognize recurring patterns in fairy
we apply tales, such as the presence of a curse, a protagonist facing
challenges, and a resolution leading to a "happily ever after.".
Computati
onal
Abstraction:
Thinking?
Focus on Essential Elements: Identify key elements, like the curse
and the prince's quest, that are essential to the narrative. Abstract
away unnecessary details to maintain clarity.
Decomposition:
How do
we apply Breaking Down the Plot: Decompose each part of the
story, focusing on the curse, the protective measures,
princess's sleep, the prince's arrival, and the resolution.
Computati
onal
Thinking?
Symbol Name Function
An oval represents a
Start/End start of end point
An arrow is a
connector that shows
Arrows relationships between
Recap: the representative
shapes
Flowchart Input/Output
A parallelogram
represents input or
output
A rectangle represents
Process a process
A diamond indicates a
Decision decision
• Start / End
• Introduction and resolution
• Inputs / Outputs
• Trigger for the series of events
• Result of the decision
Flowchart • Decisions
• Character’s choices
• Process
• Key actions taken by characters in
the story
*Do not worry if you get the symbols wrong for
inputs and process, focus on the logic flow and
development of the story.
Make a flowchart of the key
decisions and options involved
Example that lead to Mr White making
1 the first wish. As you examine
the flowchart given as an
example, think about key
decision-making in the story
and cause & effect.
Morris Shares about career in
No trouble India
arrives
No
Herbert
Yes Morries tells them to Mr White asks about the
suggests Use paw?
wishing wish sensibly monkey’s paw
for £200
Yes Morris No
answers
question?
Mr White Mrs White retrieves
makes the first paw from fire
wish
Mrs White asks about
the paw
No
Example
1: Making Paw destroyed
Yes
Destroy Morris explains how the
the first in fire paw? paw works
wish
Starting and Endings Inputs / Outputs
Morries arrives Shares about career in India
Mrs White retrieves paw from
Paw destroyed in fire
fire
Herbert suggests wishing for
No trouble
£200
Making Mrs White makes the first wish
Process Decisions
the first Mr White asks about the
wish monkey’s Paw
Morris answers question?
Mrs White asks about the Paw Destroy paw?
Morris explains how the paw
Use paw?
works
Morris tells them to wish sensibly
*Refer to the flowchart on the previous slide while making sense of how the different symbols are used
Make a flowchart of the key decisions and
options involved that lead to Mr White
making the second wish.
Exercise
You may want to skim through sections of
1 Parts Two & Three that focus on decision-
making that leads to the second wish.
You should list down the actions first
before you select key decisions and
options.
Stranger informs the They realise the first
Whites about wish has come true
Exercise 1: Herbert’s death (£200)
Making the
second wish The Whites mourn
Herbert’s death
Complete the flowchart –
your endpoint should
“Mr White wishing for
Herbert to come back Yes Mrs White No
alive” suggests
using the
paw
Stranger informs the They realise the first
Whites about wish has come true
Herbert’s death
Exercise 1: (£200)
Making the
second wish The Whites mourn
Suggested flow Herbert’s death
Mrs White
Mr White wishes for Yes suggests No
Herbert to come back using the
alive paw
Yes Mr White
Mrs White insists refuses
Mrs White
Mr No suggests wishing Mr White retrieves the Mrs White
White for Herbert to paw insists
refuses come back alive
Make a flowchart of the key decisions and
options involved that lead to Mr White
making the third wish.
Exercise
You may want to skim through sections of
2 Part Three that focus on decision-making
that leads to the third wish.
You may refer to the partial suggested
flow in the next slide if you do not know
how to start your flowchart.
You should list down the actions first
before you select key decisions and
options.
No immediate effect Knocking begins
after the second wish
Exercise 2:
Making the
third wish
Partial suggested flow Yes Answer the No
door?
Mrs White rushes down Mr White
refuses
