Lesson Plan |​ Create your own Google logo 

Overview 
 
In each of the “Create your own Google logo” activities, students code and design their own versions of the 
Google logo. These activities introduce students to computer science and the programming language S ​ cratch​. 
These activities are most appropriate for students ages 9-14 and take 15-60 minutes to run. 
 
Available activities include: 

     

Create your own Google logo -  Valentine’s Day  Earth Day 

Original 
 
Activity Quickstart Guide 
 

       

Prepare.  Students log in.  Create.  Take a survey and share. 

Create a CS First class. Students enter your  Students create their logo  Students click the “next” 
  unique class code, sign in  using CS First and  arrow to take a survey. 
and click on the logo  Scratch. Record student  View your dashboard to 
activity for your class.  sign-in information as  see responses. 
  they work. 

1
 Before You Begin - Create or log in to your CS First class  
 
To generate Scratch usernames and passwords that allow your students to save and share their projects, spend 
approximately 5 minutes before you begin to create a CS First class. Taking the time to set up before your class 
starts will make it easier and faster for you to track student progress, facilitate students saving and sharing 
projects, and manage their learning experience while your class is in progress.  
 
First time with the logo activity  Doing the logo activity again 

To create a class:  To sign in to CS First: 

1. Go to ​g.co/csfirst/sign-in​. You will need a ​free  1. Find where you recorded students’ usernames 
Gmail/Google account​ to get started.  and passwords that work for CS First and 
2. When prompted to choose a theme, select  Scratch. 
a. If you used our template, distribute the 
“Create your own Google logo.” You’ll be asked 
handouts. 
for your school address and a few other 
b. If you know usernames but need to 
details. You’ll also have the option to set your  look up passwords, l​ ook here​. 
schedule.  2. For students who did not participate in your 
3. Get your unique class code. Students will use  previous activity, write down your class code, 
your class code to sign in to your CS First  so they can create an account. 
class and participate in the activity.  3. Students will sign in at g​ .co/csfirst/go​.  

 
Prep 

● Create or sign in to a CS First class at g

​ .co/csfirst/sign-in​ and write down your “Class Code” 
somewhere visible for students (instructions above). 
● Turn on computers. 
● Ensure computers have internet access. 
● [Optional] Place 1 pair of headphones at each computer. Students will need headphones to watch the 
videos. 
● Place a pencil and paper (or sticky note) at each computer. Students will use these to write down their 
CS First usernames and passwords. 
● Print or create your digital class roster. P
​ rint​ | D
​ igital 
 
Not enough computers? See the ​additional resources​. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

2
 
Topics Introduced & CSTA Standards Addressed 

Events  Sequencing  Loops

     
CSTA Standard addressed  CSTA Standard addressed  CSTA Standard addressed 
2-DA-09​: Refine computational  2-AP-10​: Use flowcharts and/or  2-AP-12​: ​Design and iteratively 
models based on the data they  pseudocode to address complex  develop programs that combine 
have generated.  problems as algorithms.  control structures, including nested 
    loops and compound conditionals. 
     
Aligned objective  Aligned objective  Aligned objective 
Students will refine programs by  Students will complete complex  Students produce an action based 
changing data and using event  programming tasks using  on two or more conditions in a 
blocks to achieve a desired action.  block-based program flows to  logical relationship by combining 
For example, students may change  sequence the desired end result.  multiple Control blocks. For 
the value in a "change y by" block  For example, students may use  example, students may place “wait” 
to move a sprite up, or add a "when  multiple Event blocks in their  blocks within “repeat” blocks, or 
sprite clicked" event to initiate an  program.  create nested loops by placing one 
action.    “repeat” block within another. 
     
Add-ons:​ All add-ons except  Add-ons:​ All add-ons except  Add-ons:​ Bouncing Sprites, Say 
Change Background and Edit,  Change Background and Edit,  Something, Switch Costume, 
Draw, or Add Letters  Draw, or Add Letters  Disappearing Sprites  
 
Schedule 

  Agenda  Duration  Description 

1  Introduction   4 min  Introduce the Create your own Google logo activity and the 
programming language, Scratch. 

2  Transition to Computers  5 min  Go to the website: ​g.co/csfirst/go​. Students enter your 

unique class code to get a username and password ​or​ log-in 
using their existing sign-in information. Students click the 
version of the logo activity you’re using (Create your own 
Google logo, Valentine’s Day, Earth Day). Students watch the 
introductory video.  

3  Choose and Watch Videos  15-60 min  Students open the starter project, then return to the CS First 
tab to choose an Add-on video. They can watch as many 
videos as they like to create their logo. Remember to ​write 
down​ students’ username and password information as 
they watch. 

4  Activity Wrap-Up  8 min  Students click “Next” to complete a survey. 

Encourage students to show off their work to classmates 
and reflect on what they learned and made. 

3
Agenda
Introduction (4 minutes) 

Directions 

1. Introduce the activity, and present an example project (linked below for each respective logo activity). 
Consider showing a few Doodles from h ​ ttps://www.google.com/doodles​ to help inspire your students. 
Using the Earth Day activity in your science class? Students could use the activity with NGSS 
Standards on ​natural resources​, g
​ lobal temperatures​, and b
​ iodiversity​. 
Original Logo: I​ n this activity, you will program and design your own Google logo. Google often 
creates special logos, called Google Doodles, to celebrate holidays and important people, places, and 
events. In this activity, you will be the artist and programmer for your own special logo. You might 
celebrate a real or imagined holiday or even highlight your favorite hobbies and interests, like a sport 
or activity. ​Example project 
 
Valentine’s Day:​ In this activity, you will program and design your own Google logo for Valentine’s 
Day. Valentine’s Day is celebrated on February 14th, and is a great opportunity to show your 
appreciation for things and people you care about. In this activity, you will be the artist and 
programmer for your own special Valentine’s Day logo. You could make a project about something 
you care about. It could be about your favorite place, a thank you card, or story about a pair of best 
buds.​ E
​ xample project 
 
Earth Day:​ In this activity, you will program and design your own Google logo to celebrate Earth Day. 
Earth Day is celebrated around the world on April 22. It’s a great time to think about the natural world 
and what you do to celebrate and protect it. In this activity, you will be the artist and programmer for 
your own special Earth Day logo. You could make a project about your favorite place in nature and 
why you love it. Or create a positive message that encourages others to plant a garden, recycle or 
conserve energy. E ​ xample project
 
2. Describe the programming language Scratch. 
To do this, you'll use the programming language Scratch. When you program, or code, you provide 
instructions for the computer to follow. Many programmers write code in text, meaning that they 
type it out on the keyboard. With the Scratch language, you code using blocks that snap together like 
puzzle pieces. 

 
Transition to Computers (5 minutes) 

Directions 

1. Students sign in at g
​ .co/csfirst/go​ and input your unique class code.  
 

4
If this is your first time using the logo activity: S
​ tudents will click ‘Yes’ to request a new username 
and password. Save the username and password somewhere you (and the students) won’t forget, like 
in the ​class roster​. Having students record their account details allows them to get back to their 
creations later and encourages them to continue creating outside class.  
To start, open an internet browser and go to ​g.co/csfirst/go​. Once there, click the “Sign In” button 
and enter our class’ unique class code.  
 
Click “Yes” when the website asks if you need a CS First Username and password. Your sign-in 
information will pop up on the next screen. Write it down somewhere you won’t forget it! Signing in 
with this information is how you save your project so you can keep working on it later. 

Image of the class code screen

 
If you have done logo activity previously:​ If students already have a CS First login from a previous 
activity, help them find their sign-in information to access your CS First class.  
You might remember from last time that the first step is to open an internet browser and go to 
g.co/csfirst/go​. On the student sign-in screen, enter your username and password that you used for 
the last activity in the box for “Returning Students.” Click “sign in.” 

 
Image of the sign in screen 
 

5
 2. Once logged in, your students will see the “Create your own Google logo” activities page. Ask students 
to select the activity for your class (Create your own Google logo, Valentine’s Day logo or Earth Day 
logo) and begin watching the first video. After watching the first video, students should open a starter 
project, then return to the CS First site to select an add-on video they find interesting. 
Now you’re in our CS First class. Click on the ​(Original, Valentine’s Day or Earth Day)​ activity. Plug in 
your headphones, and begin watching the introductory video at the top. After you watch the 
introductory video, open the starter project linked next to the video. This will open Scratch in a new 
tab. Click “Remix” to start your own project. Then, return to the CS First tab to select a video and 
follow the instructions to create your logo. 
 
Choose and Watch Videos (15-60 minutes) 
Directions 

● After releasing students to work, walk around and ensure that students made it to the correct activity 
and have begun to watch. At the conclusion of the video, students should open a starter project in a 
new tab, and sign in using their username and password.  
● Some students may move on to an Add-On video without opening the Scratch project. If you notice 
that a student is watching any video other than the introduction and doesn't have a tab with Scratch 
open, instruct them to open the starter project. Then, they can return to the Add-on video. 
● As students work and watch videos, collect their username and password information and add to your 
class roster​. 
● Use the Add-On solutions below to help students get unstuck. 
 
Solutions 
Change Color   

1. Select a sprite to program.  For any sprite: 

2. Add “change effect” and “When key pressed” 
blocks. 

Say Something   

1. Select a sprite to begin talking.  For any sprite: 

2. Add a “say for 2 seconds” and “When Flag   

clicked” block.  
3. Select a second sprite to talk, and add a 
“When flag clicked,” “Wait,” and “Say for 2 
seconds” block. 
4. Continue to add “say” and “wait” blocks to 
make the sprites talk to each other and 

6
 continue the story. 

 
For a different sprite: 

Switch Costume   

1. Select a sprite to program.  For any sprite: 

2. Add “next costume,” “repeat,” and “wait” 
blocks. 
3. Add an event, like “when this sprite clicked.” 
4. Copy this code to other sprites.. 

Add Backdrop   

1. Select a backdrop from the library, or add an  No code for this add-on. 
image from the internet.   

Edit, Draw, or Add Letters   

1. Experiment with ways to edit, draw, and add  No code for this add-on. 
sprites to the logo. 

Jumble Letters   

1. Select a sprite.  For any sprite: 

2. Add “go to” and “when flag clicked” blocks to 
set an ending position. 
3. Add “go to random position” and “wait” 
blocks to move the sprite. 
4. Add a “repeat” block to repeat this action.  
5. Copy this code to the other sprites, and 

7
 replace the “go to” blocks. 

 
 
 
 

Chase   

1. Select a sprite.  For any sprite: 

2. Inside a forever loop, add a “point towards”   

and “move” block. 

3. Inside another forever loop, add an “if,” 
“touching color,” and “play sound until done” 
block. 
4. Add a “when flag clicked” block to both block 
stacks. 

Spin   

1. Select a sprite to program.  For any sprite: 

2. Add a “turn” and “repeat” block. 
3. Add a “point in direction” block. 
4. Add an event, like “when this sprite clicked.” 
5. Copy this code to other sprites. 

Change Scene   

1. Add backdrops to the project.  For any sprite: 

2. Add a new sprite. 
3. Add a “when sprite clicked” and “change 
backdrop to” block. 
4. Change the value to “next backdrop.” 
 

8
Dance Whirl   

1. Select a sprite to program.   For any sprite: 

2. Select a sound from the “sounds” tab. 
3. Add a “play sound” block. 
4. Add two “repeat 10” blocks and two “change 
effect” blocks. 
5. Change the values to “whirl.” Make one whirl 
a positive value, and one a negative value. 
6. Copy this code to other sprites. 

Bouncing Sprites   

1. Select a sprite to program.  For any sprite: 

2. Add “change y by 10,” “wait,” and “change y 
by negative 10” blocks.  
3. Add a “repeat” block around this stack. 
4. Add an event, like “when this sprite clicked.” 
5. Copy this code to other sprites. 

Disappearing Sprites   

1. Select a sprite.  For any sprite: 

2. Add a “repeat” and “Change effect by” block. 
Change the value in the “change effect by” 
block to “ghost.” 
3. Add a “clear graphic effects” block. 
4. Select a sound from the sounds tab, and add 
a “play sound” block to the top of the block 
stack. 
5. Add an event, like “when key pressed.” 
6. Copy this code to other sprites. 
 

9
 Create an Account to Save and Share Your Project    

1. Click “remix” and “join Scratch.”  No code for this add-on. 

2. To share a project, click “share” after 
verifying the account. 

Survey and Activity Wrap-Up (8 minutes) 

Directions 

1. When there are 5 minutes left, remind your students to click the green “next” button to complete a short 
survey. Give them 3-4 minutes to complete the survey. 

2. If students want to share their project with others or save their project to work on later, encourage 
them to sign in to Scratch using their username and password. 
 
3. Make sure each student writes down their username and password, and collect their usernames and 
passwords in your ​class roster. 

4. Ask students to share their projects with a neighbor, or do a whole class gallery walk. 

5. Discuss the activity as a whole class. 

Let’s discuss what you learned during this activity: 
● Tell me about the program you made today. 
● What was your favorite part of this activity? 
● What did you learn about coding? 
● What was the most challenging part of this activity? 
 

Adaptations / Extensions 
Are your students interested in new coding challenges for their logo? ​Print and use Scratch Cards. ​Scratch 
cards provide a quick way to learn how to code new things in Scratch, and are the foundation for many of our 
video tutorials. Print out Scratch cards and either hand them out or let students pick what they want to do: 
https://scratch.mit.edu/info/cards/  
● Suggested card themes include: 
○ Animate Your Name​ cards, like “change size” or “color clicker” 
○ Make Music​ cards, like “play a song” or “record sounds” 
○ Create a Story​ cards, like “switch scenes” or “make a conversation” 

10
 
Optional Resources 
Don't have a computer for each student? Here are some ideas of how you can still use “Create your own Google 
logo” with your students: 
● Pair or group students​. Assign one student as the "driver" who controls the computer and one as the 
"instructor" who describes what to do. Switch roles every five minutes. 
● Whole class​. Project the activity and videos on a screen where all students can see. After watching the 
Introduction video, have the class vote on an add-on video to watch together. Then have a few student 
volunteers try out what they learned in front of the group while others help. Repeat so that all students 
get a chance to code. 
● Station rotation​. If you have a computer station in your classroom, allow students to rotate to the 
computers to complete the activity. For the rest of the students, consider using resources such as the 
ones available on ​csunplugged.org​. 

11