First and Second Hand

In this lesson, students will choose whether to read a firsthand or secondhand account of a story, then use code blocks to create an animated story about a firsthand or secondhand account. Coding activities include using the “ask” block to write firsthand or secondhand messages and using the “say” blocks to tell the same story from different perspectives. The DIY module also includes a bonus activity (titled “Act it Out”) where students can use animation, messaging, and motion to program the Actors to act out the scene.
After completing the DIY module, students will be asked 5 quiz questions that test their knowledge on identifying if a given statement is an example of a firsthand or secondhand account. By the end of the lesson, students will have experimented with coding concepts (e.g., loops, input/output, messaging, animation, motion) while reinforcing differences between a firsthand and secondhand account of a story.