Instructional Materials
Introductory Material:
The STAR graphic organizer is a chart used to introduce children to the problem-solving process. They will refer to this process during both plugged and unplugged activities. The visual representation will help facilitate retention of the steps to problem-solve.
Unplugged Activity Materials:
Environment: Place a grid on the floor with obstacles.
Facilitation: Guide students through the problem solving process.
Game: A student will serve as the player and will be instructed by the class on where to move in order to get to a specified point on the other side of the grid.
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The class will discuss the problems the player is facing and suggest paths to follow in order to overcome the obstacles.
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The class will vote on the direction that the player should go next (step by step). Then, the instructor will place the direction card on the whiteboard/wall to show the students how the chain of directions will look in the app
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The player will move as directed and should eventually make it to the finish line.
Blocks Icons:
Kids floor mat:
Plugged Activity Materials:
Practice Materials:
The children help a facilitator program the character named Tac to reach Scratch and tell him that his friends need his help. This will show the students how the unplugged activity they just completed translates to the app. It will also introduce the learners to the Scratch Jr. programming environment and how the blocks function.
Independent Problem #1
Scratch enters and notices that his friend Penguin is in distress. He asks the student to figure out what the problem is and help solve it. Penguin is stuck in a tree--and penguins can't fly! The student must create a simple directional command to help Penguin out of the tree, then send a message to let Scratch know that the problem is solved so they can move on.
Independent Problem #2
Scratch sees his friend, Fido the dog and greets him. Just then, Fido trips and falls over! Scratch asks the student to help Fido flip back over. The student must program the dog to flip 180 degrees over, then send a message to let Scratch know that the problem has been solved in order to proceed.
Independent Problem # 3
Scratch runs into his farm friend Piggles who needs help gathering apples to bring to his family. The student must navigate the fence while collecting apples ultimately making it back to his family.
The student will use the directional tiles to guide Piggles and tapping the apples as the character walks by them.
Parent Information for Problem Solving with Their Child(ren)
The first handout is a reference guide for parents to help their child during the workshop. It explains the STAR problem solving model and gives tips on engaging with their kids during the workshop.
The second handout is a reference guide for parents to help their child after the workshop. It provides tips on how to develop problem solving skills using various strategies.
