Scratchlesson Outline Template

ScratchLesson Outline Template

Language Objective

Write in a variety of genres with greater sophistication – A Report

Class level

3rd/4thwith a good working knowledge of Scratch.

Overview

Charlotte’s Web being read to the class.

Pupils will write a report on a spiders

The report will be written using the PDST template with a Scratch animation as the final draft.

Step by step guide

Preparation

Discuss Charlotte’s Web and recall the different spider traits exhibited by Charlotte.

Read the poem Spiderlings by Janet Bruno.

Lesson activity

Stage 1

Divide class in mixed ability groups. Assign roles.

Using the interactive whiteboard, build and save a mind map of prior knowledge with class.

Introduce terms from the report template:

General Introduction
Physical Description
Habitat
Interesting Facts

Get pupils to list possible sources of information.

Class Encyclopaedia
Internet

In groups, complete Stage 1 Report template listing 2 facts for each section. Remind pupils that the sections do not need to be filled in sequence and that facts must not be repeated.

Stage 2

Construct sentences using the facts from Stage 1. Invite other groups to read their first draft and comment.

After teacher has seen the initial report, children begin to construct their storyboard for the Scratch animation listing the Scratch backdrop(s) and sprite(s) they might use and the code blocks they will need to make the report.

Conclusion

The groups work on their project over the course of week, allowing time to refine and edit code.

Project is shared on school account.

Differentiation

When assigning roles, ensure role is matched to level of ability.

Scratch cards will be available for groups who have difficulty with the coding.

Hints and tips

In Stage 1 of the report, suggest leaving the General Introduction till last as this tends to be the most challenging section. Generally all the facts are piled into the introduction leaving nothing for the following sections. Ask groups why we selected spiders as they topic for the report and to use that as the general introduction.

When coding the project use the backdrops and sprites already in Scratch so time is spent on coding rather than creating elements in the editor.

Assessment

Peer Assessment

Reopen the Mind map – add “what we have learned” to the mind map in a different colour.

Extension Activities

Pupils create their own backdrops and sprites using the editor.

Pupils record themselves and add audio to the project.