A 6-minute video overview of the DLI SOL Connections documents and how they can be used.  A script is included.

Downloadable spreadsheet to assist ITRTs and Librarians in connecting the DLI SOL with 6-8 Computer Science SOL.

Downloadable spreadsheet to assist ITRTs and Librarians in connecting the DLI SOL with 6-8 Dance Arts SOL.

Downloadable spreadsheet to assist ITRTs and Librarians in connecting the DLI SOL with 6-8 English SOL.

Downloadable spreadsheet to assist ITRTs and Librarians in connecting the DLI SOL with 6-8 Family Life SOL.

Downloadable spreadsheet to assist ITRTs and Librarians in connecting the DLI SOL with 6-8 Health and PE SOL.

Downloadable spreadsheet to assist ITRTs and Librarians in connecting the DLI SOL with 6-8 History & Social Sciences SOL.

Downloadable spreadsheet to assist ITRTs and Librarians in connecting the DLI SOL with 6-8 Math SOL.

Downloadable spreadsheet to assist ITRTs and Librarians in connecting the DLI SOL with 6-8 Music Arts SOL.

Downloadable spreadsheet to assist ITRTs and Librarians in connecting the DLI SOL with 6-8 Science SOL.

Downloadable spreadsheet to assist ITRTs and Librarians in connecting the DLI SOL with 6-8 Theatre Arts SOL.

Downloadable spreadsheet to assist ITRTs and Librarians in connecting the DLI SOL with 6-8 Visual Arts SOL.

The goal of this activity is to build critical thinking skills and excitement for Computer Science / Computational Thinking, while laying a foundation of fundamental programming concepts. By scaffolding basic concepts like sequencing and algorithms in an unplugged activity, students who are intimidated by computers can still build a foundation of understanding. In this lesson, students will learn how to develop an algorithm and encode it into a program.By "programming" one another to draw pictures, students experience some of the core concepts of programming in a fun and accessible way. The class will start by having students view a video of a simple program demonstrating how to develop instructions for building a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Students will start with simple shapes, and progress to the coding of a specific drawing that other students will then try to replicate (“running the program”). If there is a desire to have a more of a Math slant on the lesson, the drawing could take place on graph paper. Students would then use the coordinates to complete the drawing. 

In this lesson students will be able to identify that computers, like the solar system, complete predictable actions based on a set of variables. Students will learn about the solar system via Scratch.  They will explore block coding and computational thinking practices as they utilize Scratch as a tool for creativity, expression and learning about the Solar System.