Computer Programming 101 Through Storytelling | Ages 9-13

In this class, students use computer science to tell fun and interactive stories. Storytelling emphasizes creativity
by encouraging students to tell a unique story each day through video-game-like environment. With guidance and support from Dr. Weldon, the learners use technology to produce and publish writing (using keyboarding skills) as well as to interact and collaborate with others.  Through the use of technology, including the Internet, the learners will produce and publish writing and link to and cite sources as well as to interact and collaborate with others, including linking to and citing sources.

Week 1:  Students create a story in which two characters talk to each other without
using questions.

Week 2:  Students learn about how CS First works, then tell a story in Scratch where a character walks through a scene describing what they see.

Week 3:  Students create a dynamic stormy day setting, complete with rain and lightning. After developing the setting, students program a stormy day story.

Week 4:  Students build a story around one of four premises.

Week 5:  Students create a story in which one character narrates another character's actions and thoughts.

Week 6: Storytelling Students create a story in which the audience can make a decision.

Week 7: Students create a personal narrative based on one of the three-story starters.

Week 8:  Students create an innovative product or idea, and use storytelling tools to pitch or sell it.


Class is based on the following Common Core Standards:

Use technology to produce and publish writing (using keyboarding skills) as well as to interact and collaborate with others.
http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/W/3/6

“Interact and collaborate with others.”
Fluently communicating with others via the internet, especially when instant messaging, requires keyboarding proficiency.
http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/W/7/6

“Gather relevant information...and integrate the information while avoiding plagiarism.”
Academic integrity is one of the most important values we can instill in young students. Keyboarding lessens the physical burden of typing, thus making students less likely to copy-and-paste entire paragraphs.
http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/CCRA/W/8

“Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two).”
The only way to increase stamina is to practice typing passages of varying lengths. Our Typing Tests provide an excellent resource for this kind of practice.
http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/CCRA/W/10




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