Island 4

11-13 yrs old

14-18 yrs old

Computer Science

USING WHILE LOOPS IN PYTHON.

Submitted By: Minecraft Education

October 23, 2020

Lesson Plan
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Skills

Creativity
Critical Thinking

External References

Educator Guide Island 4

Island 4 world

Learning Objectives

Understand that computers are able to repeat code very easily.
Become familiar with the concept of a “while loop”, to repeat code while a condition is met.
Understand the difference between a while loop and a for loop.
Continue to develop an understanding of the concept of Decomposition, as students break problems down into codable solutions for the Agent.
Continue to see the importance of Sequencing, putting things in order, so that the Agent can complete its tasks.
Utilize the following CSTA standards: 1A-AP-10, 1A-AP-14, 1B-AP-11, 1B-AP-12, 2-AP-12, 2-AP-13

Guiding Ideas

Welcome to the Kingdom of the Floating Islands. This mystical kingdom floats high above the world below. Throughout this collection of lessons, students will learn the basics of Python, through a series of themed tasks in each world. Completing these tasks will allow the kingdom to develop further technologically.

In Island 4, you will be focusing on repeating sections of code, specifically using a “While loop”.

Lead-in:

Explain to students, that this island builds upon the previous work they have done in Island 3. Once again, their agent will be returning, although in this lesson they will be focusing repeating sections of code a variable number of times, without the need to copy/paste. Their agent will help them complete a series of tasks that they wouldn’t be able to otherwise complete.

Student Activities

CODING ACTIVITIES: 30-45 minutes

Activity 1: (Distant Island Bridge)

Activity 2: (Mine Factory)

Activity 3: (Botanical Gardens)

Activity 4: (Airship Factory)

Completion:

Once the airship is repaired, the students are given the Certificate of Airworthiness, which should be delivered to the Prime Minister in the Parliament building. Once handed over, the world is completed. For students finishing early, this unlocks the hidden underground village for them to explore, although there are no additional coding tasks.