Lesson 1:
Introduction
The class will be introduced to Edublocks Python code by means of a comparison to an already
familiar language, Scratch.
Learning Objectives
To understand the concepts of block based coding
To understand basic coding concepts and language
Understand how a sequence / algorithm works
Key Vocabulary
Sequence, selection and iteration.
Preparation
Subject Knowledge
An understanding of creating code in a block based environment and understanding how key
coding concepts are across all languages and can be illustrated using different languages.
Possible Misconceptions
That Scratch and Python are different languages and share no concepts. This is not true. They
may approach the subject differently but they both follow the same key coding concepts.
Pedagogy
The class should work in teams to complete the sequence activity (slide 5) but the remainder of
the session is geared towards a teacher led session with elements of discussion.
You will need
A computer running Windows / Mac or Linux or Chromebook
A web browser (Firefox, Edge, Google Chrome, Safari)
Assessment Opportunities
Understand that coding concepts are not tied to just one language and that skills learnt in one
language can be applied to others.
Basic orientation of the edublocks interface.
Understand that there are different languages for different tasks.
Outline Plan
This is a quick overview of the accompanying slide deck.
Starter activity What is coding? (think/pair/share)
(Slide 3 - 5)
5 - 10 minutes “What is coding?”
Ask the learners to write down what they think
coding is and where it appears in their lives.
Writing code is solving a problem. We use
logic to break down the problem into smaller
chunks and solve these problems.
Coding concepts such as
● Sequence
○ Instructions given line by line,
for example a recipe.
● Selection
○ Selecting an action based on a
decision / test. For example if
a driverless car sees a red
traffic light, it will stop.
● Iteration
○ A loop which will run for a
definite, or indefinite amount of
times.
There are many different languages to write
code with.
The class may be familiar with Scratch. But
there are many other typed languages.
● C
● PHP
● Perl
● JavaScript
● Java
A popular language is Python and we can
write code with Python following the same
concepts as Scratch.
Group activity What is a sequence?
(Slide 6) In teams of 3
10 minutes Can you guide a robot (one of the children) to
draw a simple shape on a piece of paper?
Teams are encouraged to create their own
language on paper and use that to instruct
the “robot”
Suggestions for commands are
● Forward
● Backward
● Left
● Right
● Spin left
● Spin right
Some children may already be familiar with
Scratch and so they may use Scratch block
commands, and coding concepts to automate
drawing the shape (loops)
Reward any teams that manage to retrieve
the gold star.
Extension Activity
Debugging
Teams should swap their code with the team
next to them, can their robot follow the
instructions?
10 minutes How do we move from blocks to Python?
Slides (7 - 13)
Introduce edublocks.org website and the
various modes available.
We are focusing on the Python mode.
Give the class an overview of how edublocks
works.
Blocks connect together just like Scratch.
We are writing Python code using these
blocks.
Compare blocks such as
while True:
for i
Compare how a block language builds up
code, to how Python code is written line by
line.
Plenary What have we learnt?
5 minutes
(Slide 14) ● Coding concepts are shared across
many different languages.
● If we learn the coding concepts then
we can use other languages more
easily.
● Block languages are ideal for
introducing coding.
● Computers require clear instructions
to work correctly.
● There are many typed languages
used in different industries for different
purposes.
Next time Class will get hands on with edublocks and
5 minutes learn how to write Python code using blocks.
(Slide 15)
Class will create a sequence of code to
control a drawing tool called “Turtle”
