Introduction
Objectives
Students will:
- Design a short interactive story featuring a tree using various images, backgrounds, and text.
- Code speech recognition to help the tree grow within the story.
- Write a 'Tree Keeper Promise' detailing how they will care for trees.
Code Stories and Games with Elementari
In this lesson, students will use Elementari to create and code their interactive story. Elementari is an interactive platform designed to make coding accessible and enjoyable for kids with an arts and literacy focus. Students will design their story with images and backgrounds, write a special 'Tree Keeper Promise' to care for trees, and code speech recognition to make their story interactive.
New to Elementari? Click on the orange Start button to jump right into the lesson for free. Check out our Getting Started Guide for an overview of how Elementari works with your class. Get started for free for up to 35 student accounts.
Lesson Resources
Coding Concepts Covered
Speech RecognitionStudent Instructions
Think about what trees needs to grow. Draw your ideas and write a few words on how you will help your tree.
Use the worksheet to help (PDF or Google Doc).
Let's make a title for our tree story and write your name as the author!
Write a sentence about what trees need to grow. Add a tree to your page.
Code your tree to grow bigger every time you read a word in your sentence (e.g. water).
Let's write a promise on how you will help take care of trees.
Add the final touches to your story. Here are some ideas:
- Change the font
- Add more images and backgrounds
- Code a background music to play
Project Example for Students
Play through this lesson's example project created on Elementari. Use this example to guide and motivate your students.
Standards
CSTA K-12 Computer Science Standards (2017)
Algorithms & Programming
1A-AP-08 - Model daily processes by creating and following algorithms (sets of step-by-step instructions) to complete tasks.
1A-AP-10 - Develop programs with sequences and simple loops, to express ideas or address a problem.
1A-AP-11 - Decompose (break down) the steps needed to solve a problem into a precise sequence of instructions.
1A-AP-12 - Develop plans that describe a program’s sequence of events, goals, and expected outcomes.
1A-AP-14 - Debug (identify and fix) errors in an algorithm or program that includes sequences and simple loops.
ISTE Student Standards
Creative Communicator
6b - Students create original works or responsibly repurpose or remix digital resources into new creations.
6d - Students publish or present content that customizes the message and medium for their intended audiences.
6c - Students communicate complex ideas clearly and effectively by creating or using a variety of digital objects such as visualizations, models or simulations.
Computational Thinker
5a - Students formulate problem definitions suited for technology-assisted methods such as data analysis, abstract models and algorithmic thinking in exploring and finding solutions.
Innovative Designer
4a - Students know and use a deliberate design process for generating ideas, testing theories, creating innovative artifacts or solving authentic problems.
4d - Students exhibit a tolerance for ambiguity, perseverance and the capacity to work with open-ended problems.
4c - Students develop, test and refine prototypes as part of a cyclical design process.
4b - Students select and use digital tools to plan and manage a design process that considers design constraints and calculated risks.
AASL Standards
Inquire
I.A.2 - Recalling prior and background knowledge as context for new meaning
I.B.3 - Generating products that illustrate learning.
I.C.4 - Sharing products with an authentic audience.