algorithm Archives - Page 5 of 7

Offline Coding Academy- Muffin Tin Algorithm Activity

April 8, 2020 By Deirdre

Your children can create an algorithm that will move an object on a path that takes them from one end of a muffin tin to another. Once the activity components have been gathered and made, they can explore this algorithm activity over and over again.

Wait! What is an algorithm?

A simple definition is that an algorithm is a series of steps needed to complete a task. Computer programmers or coders create the series of commands needed for a computer to complete a task. Your children complete algorithms or a series of steps to complete tasks every day like brushing their teeth.

Example:

First, you will need to wet your toothbrush.
Second, you will place toothpaste on your toothbrush.
Third, you will use a circular motion to move the toothbrush on all sides of your teeth.
Fourth, you will then use a side to side motion on all your teeth.
Fifth, you will swish water in your mouth to rinse your teeth.
Sixth, you will spit out the water into the sink.

Getting the Algorithm Activity Ready

Supplies Needed:

Muffin Tin
Small Plastic Cup ( The bottom of the cup should be the same size as the bottom of the muffin tin cups.)
White Paper
Pencil
Marker
Plastic Animal or Button

Creating the Algorithm Activity Circles

You will need to trace the bottom of a small plastic cup twelve times onto a piece of paper.
Next, you will cut out each of the circles.
Finally, you will draw an arrow on each of the circles.

Exploring the Algorithm Activity

The activity starts with deciding where your children want to start and end the algorithm. Then they will create a path of arrows that will lead them from the beginning of their path to the end. Each of the arrows they place will point in the direction they are moving to the next muffin cup.

Let’s look at the path I made.

It starts in the upper lefthand corner with an arrow pointing down.
An arrow pointing down is placed on the muffin cup below it.
The third cup down was given an arrow pointing to the right.

What does that mean?

The character or button would move down two cups and then one cup to the right.

Let’s continue.

The cup just to the right of that cup has an arrow pointing up.
The cup right above it has an arrow pointing up.
An arrow pointing to the right was placed on the cup at the top of the second column.
In the third column after the three down arrows were placed, a left arrow was put in place.
Finally, an arrow pointing the left was placed in front of the left arrow in the corner.

Your children can try building the algorithm one step at a time and testing out each move. Another way could be that they build the full path and then test it out.

More Coding Activities

Offline Printable Coding Games

How to Make Liquid Starch Slime Algorithm

Drawing a Cat with a Looping Algorithm

Coding the Moon

Offline Coding Academy- Printable Games with Penguins

January 24, 2020 By Deirdre

Your children will have fun creating algorithms that move them from the start to end on each of the printable games. While building a path on a game board, your children will be working on a number of coding skills. You will find a list of them later on in the post. The coding games are so much fun your children won’t realize they are learning as they explore them.

Wait! What is an algorithm?

A kid-friendly definition is that an algorithm is a series of steps needed to complete a task. Computer programmers or coders create the series of commands needed for a computer to complete a task. Your children complete algorithms or a series of steps to complete tasks every day. (You will find an everyday example of an algorithm on the How to Draw an Astronaut post.)

Getting Your Copy of the Printable Games

You can download your own set of the Offline Coding Academy- Penguin Algorithm Game Boards. Then you will want to print out the boards you want to use onto card stock. The games use arrow cards that come with the game boards. They will also need to be printed out onto card stock.

Hint: When the game boards and arrows are laminated, they will last longer.

Playing the Algorithm Games

You can play with the games boards in several different ways.

Your children can work out what path they want to follow to get from start to finish. Then they can put an arrow card in each space along their path. The arrows will need to point in the direction they will need to go to get from one square to the next.
Your children can place an arrow in the start box pointing the way they would need to go to get to the next open box. Then they will repeat this process as they make their way to the end box.

Coding Skills

Your children will look at how tasks can be decomposed into simple tasks.
Then they will look at how simple tasks can be composed to form complex tasks.
Children will use picture directions to design a series of steps to complete a simple task.
Finally, your children will test a series of directions to successfully complete a simple task.

If you like this algorithm activity, here are several more you will like.

How to Make Liquid Starch Slime Algorithm

Drawing a Cat with a Looping Algorithm

Coding the Moon

How to Draw a Penguin with an Algorithm Using Looping

January 20, 2020 By Deirdre

Your children will have fun learning how to draw a penguin with an algorithm! They work through the step by step directions that make up the algorithm on this free printable. When they have completed the final step in the algorithm or directions they will have drawn a penguin with a heart-shaped face.

Wait! What is an Algorithm

An algorithm is the series of steps needed to complete a task. Because a computer algorithm is a series of steps, your children can learn how about algorithms how algorithms work as they follow a series of steps.

Getting a Copy of the How to Draw a Penguin Printable

Here is a copy of the How to Draw a Penguin with an Algorithm Using Looping. You can print out a copy of the printable for each of your children.

Getting Started with the How to Draw a Penguin Printable

You may need to explain to your children how to follow the drawing algorithm. They will need to start at the top of the algorithm and draw what the first Blockly block asks them to. Then they will follow each remaining step. The looping blocks will ask your children to draw a part of the penguin two times. That is to say, they will need to add two of something like two eyes.

Some of your children will need you to walk them step by step through the algorithm. However, there will be others that don’t need any help at all. They will be able to follow each of the steps on their own. During the time your children are working on this printable, you may want to double-check to make sure they are completing each step. In other words, they may skip a step.

If you like this drawing and coding printable, here are some more you will love.

Three Pigs Blockly Block Worksheet

Magical Creatures STEM Coding Algorithm Drawing Activity

Drawing a Cat with a Looping Algorithm

Offline Code Academy- How to Draw a Nutcracker

November 4, 2019 By Deirdre

This Offline Code Academy free printable set of worksheets walks children through how to draw a nutcracker. You will find three versions of the worksheet in this set. It will be fun to pull out this activity as Christmas draws closer. You can use it as part of a coding unit, part of a unit on The Nutcracker or in a STEAM art center.

Read a version of The Nutcracker

Your children may not be familiar with the story of The Nutcracker. Below you will find several different versions of the story you could share with your children.

Links below are affiliate links.

Getting Ready for the Activity

The first thing you will need to do is decide which version in the How to Draw the Nutcracker with a Blockly Block Algorithm worksheet set you will want your children to work on. There are three versions of the worksheet in the set.

First, you will find a worksheet that features words and pictures in the Blockly blocks.

Next, you will find a worksheet that features just words on the Blockly blocks. This version invites your children to decide what each algorithm set is asking them to do. They won’t have a picture to refer to as they figure out how to draw a nutcracker.

Finally, you will find a version that just has pictures on the Blockly blocks. Children will have to look carefully at each of the pictures to see what they will need to add to their nutcracker. If you have children that have reading challenges or don’t read English, this would be a great version for them.

Starting the Activity

There are many ways you can have your children work on this activity. As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, you can have this set be part of a coding activity, Nutcracker unit, or art center. After reading your children one of the books above, you could have them do any of the following:

Work on drawing the nutcracker step by step as a group.
Have children work on it in a center on their own.
Use it to introduce Blockly block coding to your students. Then you can have them follow the algorithm to work on it on their own.

If you like this Offline Code Academy worksheet, here are some more draw and color algorithm worksheets. Each of them as a list of children’s books you can read with or to your children to introduce the worksheets theme.

Drawing a Christmas Tree Based on an Algorithm

Thanksgiving Coloring Pages and Algorithm Activity

Offline Code Academy- Creating an Algorithm on a Checkerboard

October 6, 2019 By Deirdre

Your children can learn about creating an algorithm as when the explore this offline activity. It is part of a series that is called Offline Code Academy. Children will have fun creating mazes with checkers. Then they can work on creating an algorithm that will connect one corner of a checkerboard to another. This activity requires children to work with a partner. The partner could be a parent or another child.

Before walking through the directions for this creating an algorithm activity, you may want to read your children a book about coding. Below you will find several of my favorite books.
Links below are affiliate links.

Getting Reading for the Creating an Algorithm Activity

Supplies Needed

Checker Game (I found checker games at Dollar Tree that I am using.)
White Counting Chips
Sharpie Permanent Marker
Paper
Pencil

Getting the Counting Chips Ready

You will need to draw an arrow onto each of the white counting chips with a Sharpie marker. If you wanted to, you could have your children draw the arrows on the counting chips.

Directions for the Creating an Algorithm Activity

First, your children will need to decide where the starting square on the board will be and where the ending square will be. You will notice we used the bottom left-hand corner as the starting place. The ending place we used as the top right-hand corner.

Second, one person will need to arrange twelve checkers on the board. They will need to use them to create walls or corners their partner will have to create an algorithm around. You may want to remind them that they don’t want block their partner from getting across the board totally.

Third, the person who did not build the walls will create a path using the arrow chips that will begin at the start square and end at the end square. The arrow on each chip should point the direction that you will need to move from that square to the next.

Fourth, both people can write the algorithm down on paper with a pencil using arrows or words.

Fifth, you can have your children look at their written algorithm and see if there are any steps that should be written as a loop. A loop is when a direction repeats itself a number of times before changing direction. Three moves to the right in a row could be written as a loop. Your children could write move right three times. They could draw a bracket facing to the right with a three above it and a right arrow in it.

If you like this coding activity, here are some more you will love:

Building and Walking an Algorithm

Drawing a Cat with a Looping Algorithm

Amazing Offline Coding Activities

Kindergarten Code Academy- Apple Counting Worksheet

October 4, 2019 By Deirdre

Even young children can learn about coding and algorithms. This worksheet is a part of a series I am calling Kindergarten Code Academy. Let me walk you through how to use this Apple Number Algorithm Coding Page with
your children.

I had the kindergartners I work with connect the numbers from one to eight using arrows. I had already explained to them that an algorithm is a series of steps. They helped decide whether they need to draw up, down, left or right facing arrows to connect the numbers and create an algorithm.

Let’s Get Started with This Kindergarten Code Academy Worksheet

First, you will ask your students what direction they will need to go to leave the start box and move to number one. You can have your children point their pencil or crayon up, down, left and right if you like so they can figure out what direction they need to go.

Second, you will need to have your children draw an arrow pointing to the right in the Start box. That is the direction they will need to go to move from Start to number one.

Third, you will need to have your children discuss what direction they will need to go to get to number two. They will probably figure out what they need to draw an arrow pointing up in the number one box.

Fourth, your children will need to figure out what direction they will need to go to get from number two to number three. Most will figure out that the arrow they draw in the number two box needs to point to the left.

Fifth, it will be time to figure out what direction to go to get from number three to number four. There really is only one way to go. They will need to draw an up arrow in the number three box.

Sixth, your children will probably quickly realize that they will need to place an arrow pointing to the right in the number four and five boxes.

Finally, your children will need to connect the number six to seven and number seven to eight. They will probably easily figure out that they need to use down arrows to connect those numbers.

More Printable Algorithm Activities for Young Children

How to Draw a Cat with an Algorithm

Little Miss Muffet Coding Activity for Preschoolers

Building and Walking an Algorithm

Exploring Coding with Tactbit Cubes

September 26, 2019 By Deirdre

Recently I was contacted by Tactbit about reviewing a set of their cubes. Since I recently started a job as a STEAM teacher, I thought they would great to share with my students at school. The students have had a great time exploring how the blocks react differently when they are placed in various sequences. Let me share with you how they work and how you can use them to teach coding concepts. You are going to want to get a set of Tactbit cubes for your children.

How Tactbit Cubes Work

Each of the Tactbit cubes has a magnetic element to it. It allows the cubes to snap together. Your children can only attach the cubes on a few of their sides. They will find that the sides with the rubber strip on it can be attached to other blocks.

Your children will quickly find the on button on the orange block. It is like the When Run command you use when you code. When it is turned on the other cubes will have the opportunity to light up, when they are attached to each other. When the cubes are on their own, they are translucent.

Once your children have turned on the When Run block, they can try arranging the cubes in various ways. When they twist or move the blocks, their color or the way they light up will change.

Here are some ways you might line up your Tactbit cubes:

First, you can place them in a vertical line and try changing their order. You will not have to have your line start with the cube that has the On button on it.
Second, you can place the cubes in a horizontal line. The order of the blocks can once again be changed.
Third, you can create a cube by placing four of the cubes together. You can try twisting the cubes so different sides are facing up on the table.
Fourth, you can try coming up with your own way to arrange the blocks. You will want to try turning or twisting the cubes to see if they react differently to a new arrangement.

How to Use Tactbit Cubes to Code

Coding is based on building algorithms. An algorithm is the series of steps needed to complete a task. When you create an algorithm, the sequence you use to complete the task can make a difference. You can explain to your children that sometimes the sequence in an algorithm doesn’t make a difference. After they have washed their hands, they can dry their hand or turn off the water first. (You may have a way you prefer to have them turn the water off before they dry them, but either way will work.) Sometimes the way you sequence an algorithm really does matter. If you don’t turn on the water, that isn’t going to help your hands get completely clean. They will just be rubbing soap on their dry hands.

Your children will find that the cubes can be connected in any order. Children can test out which arrangements cause the Tactbit cubes to flash or change color when they are arranged in a particular order. Once they have explored a variety of ways to connect the blocks, you can have them draw diagrams with crayons or colored pencils of what happened during each sequence or algorithm.

Tactbits come with a charging cable. You can plug them into a device with a USB cable to recharge them. You are going to love that you don’t have to buy batteries for them.

Do the Tactbit Cubes Do Anything Else?

You can get Tactbit cubes that do things beyond lighting up and changing colors. (The sample pack I was sent just made lighting changes.) What do the other cubes do?

There are cubes that talk and make noises. Children will have fun exploring these cubes.
There are also cubes that have wheels. The wheels will allow your children to create vehicles with their cubes.
There a learning cards you can purchase that walk you through magnetism, light, and coding. The set you can view on their website has illustrations and directions that look easy to follow.

If you like this coding activity, you will love these activities too.

Cubetto Coding Toy

The Grouch Ladybug Hour of Code Algorithm Printable

Magical Creature STEM Algorithm Drawing Activity

How to Make Liquid Starch Slime Algorithm

Disclaimer: I was sent a sample set of four Tactbits. The opinions shared in this post are my own. I would love to get a larger set to use in my school’s STEAM lab. I bet your children’s schools would too.

How to Draw a Shark with an Algorithm Worksheet Set

July 29, 2019 By Deirdre

You may have noticed that I have created a number of algorithm worksheets lately. I am starting a new job this fall. It focuses on STEM activities using laptops and iPads. One of the areas I will be working on is coding. This How to Draw a Shark set will be one I use with my students. I thought your children might enjoy sharing it with your kids during Shark Week. You will find three worksheets in this set. Each of them focusing on using Blockly blocks to complete a task.

Let’s Look at the How to Draw a Shark Worksheets

First, you will find a worksheet that starts with drawing the head of the shark, the mouth and the teeth with illustrations. It ends with displaying the eyes and nostrils that need to be drawn. This worksheet features words and drawings.

The second worksheet is similar to the first. The difference is that it shows children step by step how to draw the shark. It features drawings and words.

The third and final worksheet features words and drawings. It includes command and looping blocks. Each looping block shares with your children how many of something they need to draw. They will need to add ten teeth. Then they will add two eyes, two eyeballs, and two nostrils.

Getting the How to Draw a Shark Worksheets

You can download the How to Draw a Shark with an Algorithm Worksheet and open it with Acrobat Reader. It is a PDF.

Then you can print out any or all of the worksheets to do with your children. All of the worksheets were designed to print in black and white. You can print them out on any type of printer.

Building Background

You may want to read your children a book or two about sharks before starting this activity. It will allow your children to build background knowledge on sharks. Many of your children may know a lot about sharks, but others might not much about them at all. Below you will find some of my favorite books about sharks.

Links below are affiliate links.

Getting Started with the How to Draw a Shark Worksheets

If your children are familiar with coding and Blockly blocks, they will probably be able to works through these on their own. If they haven’t had experience with coding, algorithm or Blockly blocks, you will want to walk through the worksheets with them.

What is an Algorithm?

A kid-friendly definition is that an algorithm is a series of steps needed to complete a task. Computer programmers or coders create the series of commands needed for a computer to complete a task. Your children complete algorithms or a series of steps to complete tasks every day. ( You will find an everyday example of an algorithm on the How to Draw an Astronaut post.)

What is Coding?

Coding uses a programming language to tell a computer what to. People have to use words, numbers, symbols, or pictures in a language a computer understands to create the series of steps it will need to do to complete a task.

What are Blockly blocks?

They are a visual language created by Google to tell a computer how to complete a task. Code.org and Scratch use Blockly blocks to teach children about coding.

Here are some more coding activities you can do with your kids.

Magical Creature STEM Algorithm Drawing Activity

How to Make Liquid Starch Slime Algorithm

Editable Numbers 1-10 Coding for Kids Worksheet

How to Draw a Cat with an Algorithm Using Looping

July 25, 2019 By Deirdre

Your children will have fun learning how to draw a cat using an algorithm with this fun worksheet. It will introduce your children to Blockly blocks and how they are used to create an algorithm. Previously I have shared with a two simple How to Draw a Cat with an Algorithm worksheets. If you have checked out those worksheets, you will remember that they featured only command blocks. Today’s How to Draw a Cat with an Algorithm worksheet features command blocks and loop blocks.

What is the difference between a command and a loop block?

Let me start by saying I call the single block a command block with my students. It isn’t the technical name. You can call it a command block with your students or another name if you like.

A command block features a single command like a direction you need to go or something you need to do.
A loop block sandwiches a command block. It displays the word repeat and a number box. Your children can type in just how many times the command or direction needs to be done. It will save them from having to place two, three, or seven of a command in a coding column. You will just need a looping block and the command you need to be repeated.
Example:

Learning about Cats with Books

I love tying books to activities. Your children might like that too. Below you will find some of my favorite books about cats.

Links below are affiliate links.

Getting Your Free How to Draw a Cat with an Algorithm Using Looping

First, you will need to download a copy of the How to Draw a Cat with an Algorithm Using Looping.

Second, you will need to open the PDF.

Finally, you will need to print out a worksheet for each of your children.

Exploring the How to Draw a Cat Worksheets

You can have your children do any of the following:

They can work on their own.
You can work through it with them.
They can work with a partner who can check their work.

If you like this activity, here are some more coding activities you will love.

Little Miss Muffet Coding Activity for Preschoolers

Coding the Moon

Coding the Planets in Order

Magical Creatures STEM Coding Coloring Pages

Exploring Coding Algorithms on Dinosaur Drawing Pages

How to Draw an Astronaut with an Algorithm

July 13, 2019 By Deirdre

This set of algorithm worksheets walks children through how to draw an astronaut. There are three different versions of the drawing worksheets in the set. First, you will find a worksheet that displays words and pictures. Second, you will find a worksheet that features just words describing each step. Finally, you will find a worksheet with a picture for each step in the drawing process. You can decide which of these worksheets is best for your children.

Reading About Astronauts

Before you have your children explore one of the How to Draw an Astronaut worksheet, you may want to read them a book about astronauts. It is fun to read a book about a subject or theme you are going to explore. It gives your children a chance to build background knowledge on that subject or theme. You will find some of my favorite books about astronauts below. There are both fiction and non-fiction books in this collection.

Links below are affiliate links.

Wait! What is an Algorithm?

A simple explanation is that an algorithm is the series of steps needed to complete a task. Computer programmers or coders create the series of commands needed for a computer to complete a task. Your children complete algorithms or a series of steps to complete tasks every day.

Example: Handwashing

First, you turn on the water.
Second, you wet your hands.
Third, you rub soap on your hands.
Fourth, you rinse off the soap.
Fifth, dry off your hands
Finally, turn off the water.

Getting Your How to Draw an Astronaut Worksheets

Here is the free set of Drawing an Astronaut with an Algorithm. Once you have downloaded the set, you can print out the worksheets you want your children to use.