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Session 08: Coding Basics 💻

Overview

Grades: 1-2 | Duration: 30 minutes | Session: 8 of 17

Students learn foundational coding concepts using ScratchJr, creating simple animated stories and programs.

Session 08: Coding Basics

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, students will:

  • Understand that coding is giving instructions to computers

  • Navigate the ScratchJr interface

  • Create a simple program with motion blocks

  • Debug (fix) programs when they don't work

Session 08: Coding Basics

Materials Needed

  • 📱 Tablets with ScratchJr app installed

  • 📋 ScratchJr quick reference cards

  • 📓 Engineering journals

  • 📺 Display for demonstration (optional)

Catholic Integration

Saint Connection

Blessed Carlo Acutis — A young Catholic who used coding and computers to share faith. He created websites about Eucharistic miracles!

Scripture

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God." — John 1:1 (Just as God speaks creation into being, we speak instructions to computers!)

Opening Prayer

Dear God, thank you for creative minds that made computers and coding. Help us use technology to do good things. May we be like Blessed Carlo Acutis, using our skills for you. Amen.

Lesson Procedure

Opening Circle (5 minutes)

  1. What is Coding? — "Giving step-by-step instructions to a computer"
  2. Connection to Robots — "Remember Dash? Same idea!"
  3. ScratchJr — "This app lets us code stories and games"
  4. Blessed Carlo Acutis — Teen who coded for God
  5. Today's Goal — "Make a character move!"

Main Activity: ScratchJr Exploration (19 minutes)

Part 1: App Tour (4 minutes)

  • Open ScratchJr

  • Explore interface:

  • Character (Cat)
  • Stage (background)
  • Blocks (instructions)

  • Green flag (start)

  • "The blocks are like puzzle pieces that tell the character what to do"

Part 2: First Program (8 minutes)

  • Guided tutorial:
  • Add "Start on Green Flag" block
  • Add "Move Right" block
  • Tap green flag—watch cat move!
  • Add more move blocks

  • Try: Up, down, left

  • Challenge: Make cat walk across the screen

Part 3: Personalize (5 minutes)

  • Change background

  • Try different character

  • Add sounds or speech bubbles

  • Free creation time

Part 4: Share (2 minutes)

  • Show neighbor what you made

  • "You just wrote a computer program!"

Engineering Journal (4 minutes)

  1. Draw the ScratchJr character you used
  2. Write or draw the instructions you gave
  3. Circle: Easy 😊 or Tricky 🔧

Closing Circle (2 minutes)

  1. Celebration — "You are now CODERS!"
  2. Next Time — "We'll learn more coding tricks!"
  3. Closing Prayer — "Thank you, God, for the gift of learning. Help us use coding and technology for good things. Amen."

Assessment

Observation Checklist:

  • Opened ScratchJr and explored

  • Created program with motion

  • Used green flag to run program

  • Showed willingness to try

Differentiation

For Students Who Need Support

  • Pre-made starter project to modify

  • Partner with experienced peer

  • Focus on one block type (motion)

For Advanced Students

  • Add loops (repeat blocks)

  • Create multi-scene story

  • Help classmates who are stuck

Wonder at Home 🏠

Family Activity: If you have a tablet, try ScratchJr at home! (Free app) Create a story together. No tablet? Play "programmer"—give family members step-by-step instructions to do something!

Teacher Notes

  • ScratchJr is free for iPad and Android

  • Pre-install and test app before session

  • Consider projecting tablet for demonstrations

  • Common issue: Blocks not snapping together—show how to connect

Previous: Session 07 — Light in Darkness
Next: Session 09 — Catholic Inventors