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Session 8: App Inventor 📱

Overview

Grades: 5-6 | Duration: 45 minutes | Session: 8 of 17

Students are introduced to MIT App Inventor, learning to create real mobile apps with block-based programming.

Session 8: App Inventor

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, students will:

  • Navigate MIT App Inventor interface

  • Understand app components (Designer and Blocks)

  • Create a simple working mobile app

  • Connect app development to serving others

Session 8: App Inventor

Materials Needed

  • 💻 Computers with internet access

  • 📱 Android devices or emulator

  • 📋 App Inventor guides

  • 📓 Engineering journals

Catholic Integration

Saint Connection

Blessed Carlo Acutis — Created websites and digital content to share faith. He'd have loved making apps!

Scripture

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations." — Matthew 28:19 (Apps can share the Gospel!)

Opening Prayer

Dear God, thank you for technology that connects people. Help us create apps that serve others and share your love. Guide our programming today! Amen.

Lesson Procedure

Opening Circle (7 minutes)

  1. Mobile Apps:
  2. "You use apps every day—now you'll CREATE one!"
  3. Apps solve problems and serve users
  4. Billions of people use apps
  5. MIT App Inventor:
  6. Free, browser-based tool
  7. Makes real Android apps!
  8. Created at MIT for learning
  9. Blessed Carlo Acutis:
  10. Used digital skills for faith
  11. "The internet is a gift from God"
  12. Apps can spread love!

Main Activity: First App Creation (30 minutes)

Part 1: Interface Tour (8 minutes)

Two Main Screens: 1. Designer — How app looks - Components palette - Screen layout - Properties

  1. Blocks — How app works
  2. Event blocks (when button clicked)
  3. Action blocks (what happens)
  4. Logic blocks

Demo: Create new project, add button, test

Part 2: Build Your First App (18 minutes)

Guided Project: Personal Message App

In Designer (7 min): 1. Add Label (title) 2. Add TextBox (user input) 3. Add Button (submit) 4. Add Label (output display) 5. Customize colors and text

In Blocks (8 min): 1. When Button.Click: - Set OutputLabel.Text to TextBox.Text 2. Add more functionality: - Text to Speech (say the message!) - Clear button

Testing (3 min):

  • Use AI Companion app or emulator

  • Test your app!

  • Debug any issues

Part 3: Customization (4 minutes)

  • Make it your own:
  • Change colors
  • Add image

  • Additional features

  • Ideas: Prayer app, gratitude journal, quiz

Engineering Journal (5 minutes)

  1. Sketch your app screens
  2. List components used
  3. Write: "My app does..."
  4. Write: "I could create an app that helps others by..."

Closing Circle (3 minutes)

  1. App Ideas — "What app would you create to help people?"
  2. Tech for Good — "How can apps serve God's kingdom?"
  3. Closing Prayer — "Thank you, God, for the ability to create. Help us use technology to serve you and others. Amen."

Assessment

Observation Checklist:

  • Navigated App Inventor

  • Used Designer and Blocks

  • Created working app

  • Connected to service opportunity

Differentiation

For Students Who Need Support

  • Step-by-step guides

  • Simpler app features

  • Partner work

For Advanced Students

  • Multiple screens

  • Database storage

  • Complex interactions

Wonder at Home 🏠

Family Activity: App Inventor is FREE at ai2.appinventor.mit.edu! Create an account and explore. Design an app your family would use. Discuss: What problems could an app solve?

Teacher Notes

  • Create class App Inventor account or individual

  • Test AI Companion before class

  • Works best with Android devices

  • Students can continue at home

Previous: Session 7 — Christmas Electronics
Next: Session 9 — Catholic Scientists