Teach Kids Code: Variables Activities: Concept

9th April 2015 — 2 minute read

Learning Outcome permalink

List pairs of programming concepts and their corresponding analogy or metaphor
e.g. a variable is like a cardboard box with a name written on it, the box represents the stuff that has been put inside the box

Building upon the analogies and metaphors listed above, describe techniques used to teach students the connection between one an another
e.g. For a variable that represents and integer (whole number), put a number of marbles into the box

List of activities based upon the techniques listed above
For each activity list any possible safety precautions that should be taken
e.g. Get students to assign values to a variable by putting items into a box, and retrieve the value of a variable by looking at what is inside the box, and modifying the value of a variable by replacing the items inside the box.
e.g. If putting marbles inside boxes, and the students are too young, there is a risk of swallowing/ choking in the marble. If this is the case, use an alternative type of object that poses no such danger.

What the students should learn, stated in detail
For each thing learnt, what would demonstrate that it has been learnt
e.g. be able to declare a variable, assign an initial value to a variable, inspect the value of the variable, and alter the value of a variable
e.g. Putting identifying that the word written on the box is the name of the variable. When multiple boxes are present, the value of the correct one is inspected.