Month 1 - Algorithms & Sequencing

NINJA OBJECTIVES

• I can create a simple algorithm.
• I can sequence commands to move my sprite.

CODING ACTIVITIES

• Learned about what computers, algorithms, sequencing, and programming are.
• Programmed "robot" Senseis around the room.
• Created games in Scratch Jr that use simple sequencing to guide a sprite to complete tasks.

NEW VOCABULARY

• Programming- creating a sequence of instructions to make a computer do something.
• Sequence- a set of steps carried out in order.
• Algorithm-a list of steps to solve a problem or complete a task.
   

Month 2 - Loops

NINJA OBJECTIVES

• I can use a loop when a sequence of commands repeats.
• I can recognize loops in the world around me.

CODING ACTIVITIES

• Learned about what a loop in coding is.
• Did an unplugged activity called 'Loopy Dance', and used loops to make the dance more efficient.
• Created an algorithm to build a cup stack, and then used loops to shorten the algorithm.
• Created games in Scratch Jr that used loops to play basketball and host a dance party.

NEW VOCABULARY

• Loop - a set of instructions that is repeated.

Month 3 - Debugging

NINJA OBJECTIVES

• I can debug- find and fix errors in a program.
• I can use trial and error to solve a problem.

CODING ACTIVITIES

• Learned about what bugs and debugging are. 
• Explored the 'Test and Learn' process.
• Debugged programs in Scratch Jr.
• Shared stories of various people who debug problems in their lives and reflected on when Ninjas debug in their own lives.

NEW VOCABULARY

• Bug - a mistake in code.
• Debugging- finding and fixing mistakes in code.
• Persistence - Trying again and again, even when something is very hard.

Month 4 - Decomposition

NINJA OBJECTIVES

• I can decompose a problem by breaking it down into smaller problems.
• I can use decomposition to solve a problem.

CODING ACTIVITIES

• Learned about what it means to decompose a problem.
• Played Math games that required decomposition.
• Completed a Robotics activity by breaking down the complex build into simpler steps.Build a robotics build allLearned about what computers, algorithms, sequencing, and programming are.
• Practiced decomposition while writing programs in Scratch Jr.

NEW VOCABULARY

• Decomposition - break down a problem into smaller steps to solve.
   

Month 5 - Advanced Sequencing

NINJA OBJECTIVES

• I can sequence commands to solve a problem.
• I can understand the concept of efficiency and that efficient programs use the fewest commands.

CODING ACTIVITIES

• Learned about the Internet and how people send information to each other.
• Reviewed sequencing by looking at routines in Ninjas life.
• Learnt what makes a program efficient.
• Wrote efficient programs in Scratch Jr. that use more complex sequences and loops to guide sprites to complete their missions.
• Created movies using Stop Motion Animation techniques and learnt how planning out the sequence ahead of time makes movies more fun and realistic.

NEW VOCABULARY

• Efficient Programs  - Programs that respond more quickly and take less power.
• Sequence- a set of steps carried out in order.
• Algorithm-a list of steps to solve a problem or complete a task.

Month 6 - Events

NINJA OBJECTIVES

• I understand events cause things to happen. 
• I can use events to give me options in my algorithm.

CODING ACTIVITIES

• Learned about what events in programming are. 
• Brainstormed events in Ninja's everyday life.
• Played the game of 'Simon Says' to learn about events blocks in Scratch Jr.
• Built 'Sound Activated Switch' using Ninja circuits to understand how clapping the hands (an event) gets the music to start playing.
• Created fun games in Scratch Jr. and used different types of events to have our sprites do silly things.

NEW VOCABULARY

• Event - an action that causes other reactions to happen. (eg. – an action or cue that signals a new line of code to run).

Month 7 - Conditionals

NINJA OBJECTIVES

• I understand that a programmer can use IF statements to make actions happen under certain conditions.
• I can use IF statements to make my programs more dynamic and efficient.

CODING ACTIVITIES

• Learned about what conditional statements are.
• Wrote programs using conditional statements in Scratch Jr. For example  guide the sprite what activity they should do based on the weather, or should the character grow or shrink if they touch a cactus.
• Played unplugged games that use IF conditionals to guide what actions ninjas do. 

NEW VOCABULARY

• Conditionals - Statements that only run under certain conditions or situations.
• 'IF' Block - Statements/actions that occur only IF the specified condition is met.
• 'ELSE' statement - When an IF statement isn’t met the ELSE action will happen.

Month 8 - Pair Programming

NINJA OBJECTIVES

• I can work with my peers to solve problems.
• I can work with my peers to program on Scratch Jr.

CODING ACTIVITIES

• Learned about what pair programming is.
• Participated in unplugged activities with Tangrams and played Tic-Tac-Toe as a group in to practice pair programming.
• Wrote programs in Scratch Jr. using proper pair programming strategies; as both driver and the navigator.

NEW VOCABULARY

• Collaboration – to work with another person or group in order to achieve or do something.
• Persistence - continuing to try to do something even when it is hard.
• Pair programming - two ninjas work together, where one person “drives” by controlling the touchscreen, mouse or keyboard and the other person “navigates” by explaining steps in the code, answering the driver’s questions and pointing out potential problems or mistakes.
• Driver - controls the actions of the sprites.
• Navigator - helps the driver think about the big picture, and offers suggestions.

Month 9 - Stacks & Queues

NINJA OBJECTIVES

• I understand that data is stored and organized.
• I understand that stacks have elements that can be added and removed from the top
• I understand that a queue has a front and a back.

CODING ACTIVITIES

• Learned about what stacks and queues are (including First in First out and Last in Last out ordering) and talked about real world examples.
• Solved puzzles using stacks and queues in Scratch Jr. that guide the sprite to stack pets in the correct order.

NEW VOCABULARY

• Queues - linear data structures that have a front and a back.
• Stack - linear data structures that can be added and removed from the top.

SCRATCHJR®

• Leading graphical block-based visual programming that kids love.

• Create interactive games, stories and animations.

• Enables kids to learn basic coding concepts while expressing their creativity.

ROBOTICS JR

• Explore robotics through engaging hands-on activities.

• Create and play using our exclusive Ninja Toolbox.

• Build original projects to learn robotics and have fun with freestyle blocks.

NINJA CIRCUITS JR

• Discover the fundamentals of electronics by doing.

• Complete a variety of easy, fun, and flashy projects.

• Play and work with actual electrical circuits from our exclusive Ninja Circuits kits.