- Author:
- Kim Wilkens
- Subject:
- Computer Science, Algorithms and Programming
- Material Type:
- Lesson
- Level:
- Middle School
- Tags:
- License:
- Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike
- Language:
- English
- Media Formats:
- Downloadable docs
Scratch: Sharks in Space, Or, Plotting Points in the Coordinate Plane

Overview
Students will first follow a set of instructions in a buddy-programming setting, then create a game in which sprites move to specific coordinates to capture food items. Then, pairs will use pair-share-think to offer feedback on other games and compare/contrast programming blocks.
Scratch: Sharks in Space, Or, Plotting Points in the Coordinate Plane
Students will use the Scratch program to identify points in the coordinate plane and graph points using coordinates. They will use buddy-programming and use a use-modify-create approach to first practice moving the sprite to predetermined coordinates, then choose backgrounds, sprites, and their own coordinates to create a game in which sprites move to points to eat food (or some other game the students create). Pairs of students will then pair-share-think as they display their programs each other. They will compare and contrast their coding blocks and offer each other feedback.