Lesson 4: Variables
In this lesson, we’ll explore the concept of a variable, an important way to store information and make your programs more flexible and adaptable. We’ll build on what we have learned about Events by using a variable to pass additional information in when an event occurs. Finally, we’ll challenge you to write your own program using variables to customize how it runs.
* You can also watch this video here.
Lesson structure
- Overview: What is a Variable?
- Unplugged Activity: The Rhythm Robot
- Minecraft Activity 1: Chicken Storm coordinates
- Minecraft Activity 2: Arrow Counter
- Minecraft Activity 3: Fall is in the Air
- Minecraft Activity 4: Wordsmith
- Project: Variables to remember information
- Assessment: Rubric
- Standards: Listed
Lesson plan
- Overview: What is a Variable?
- Unplugged: The Rhythm Robot
- Activity: Chicken Storm
- Activity: Arrow Counter
- Activity: Fall is in the Air
- Activity: Wordsmith
- Independent Project
Flipgrid
The Flipgrid topic for the Variables lesson: https://flipgrid.com/8eab9420
CSTA K-12 Computer Science Standards
Targeted standards for this lesson:
- CL.L2-03 - Collaborate with peers, experts, and others using collaborative practices such as pair programming, working in project teams, and participating in group active learning activities.
- CT.L1:6-01 - Understand and use the basic steps in algorithmic problem-solving.
- CT.L1:6-02 - Develop a simple understanding of an algorithm using computer-free exercises.
- CPP.L1:6-05 - Construct a program as a set of step-by-step instructions to be acted out.
- 2-A-5-7 - Create variables that represent different types of data and manipulate their values.