Introduction
Write a Thanksgiving story with a fun surprise twist! Imagine your own characters and the conversations they have, and throw in an awesome twist that no one sees coming. Plus, pick the perfect background music to really bring your story to life.
Objectives
Students will:
- Develop a Thanksgiving-themed story with characters and dialogue.
- Create an unexpected twist to add excitement to the narrative.
- Code background music to complement and enrich their story.
- Animate their story to make it interactive and engaging.
Code Stories and Games with Elementari
Elementari’s creative coding platform allows students to craft and code interactive stories effortlessly. They can choose characters from a vast library, create comic dialogues, and use node-based visual coding to add animations and code background music to play. This platform makes coding accessible for all kids and enabling them to share their voice.
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.
Coding Concepts Covered
Background MusicStudent Instructions
Select a background and at least 1 character. Write an introductory text.
Write dialogue between two characters discussing Thanksgiving traditions or what they're thankful for.
Develop the plot by introducing an unexpected twist or surprise element to your Thanksgiving story.
Conclude your story and the twist you introduced. You can wrap up your story with what your characters learned or how they felt about the day's events.
Once you are done writing, you'll get started with coding!
Begin your story with background music that sets the mood. Later, change the music at the twist to reflect the new direction of the narrative.
Make your story even more fun with your own creative ideas!
More Pictures: Add more images like yummy food.
Extra Words: Write more about what your characters are doing or feeling.
Fun Coding: Code an image to bounce or move when clicked.
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
1B-AP-10 - Create programs that include sequences, events, loops, and conditionals.
1B-AP-11 - Decompose (break down) problems into smaller, manageable subproblems to facilitate the program development process.
1B-AP-12 - Modify, remix, or incorporate portions of an existing program into one's own work, to develop something new or add more advanced features.
1B-AP-15 - Test and debug (identify and fix errors) a program or algorithm to ensure it runs as intended.
2-AP-10 - Use flowcharts and/or pseudocode to address complex problems as algorithms.
2-AP-13 - Decompose problems and subproblems into parts to facilitate the design, implementation, and review of programs.
2-AP-17 - Systematically test and refine programs using a range of test cases.
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.