Code & Keys! Teacher Script

Welcome to Code & Keys! (Slide 1)

"Good morning, everyone! Today, we're going on an exciting adventure into the world of computers. We're going to become 'Code & Keys' masters! We'll discover how to use our keyboards super fast and learn the magic behind how computers think and work."

Keyboard Scavenger Hunt! (Slide 2)

"Let's start with our keyboards! These amazing tools help us talk to computers. Look at your keyboard for a moment. Do you see all those letters and numbers?"

"Alright, let's play a quick keyboard scavenger hunt! I'm going to call out a letter or number, and I want you to find it on your keyboard. Don't press it yet, just point to it. Ready?"

• "Can you find the letter A? Show me with your finger!"
• "How about the number 5?"
• "Where is the letter P?"
• "And the big, long key at the bottom... what's that called? The Spacebar! Find it!"

"Great job! You're already becoming keyboard detectives!"

Home Row Heroes! (Slide 3)

"Now, for our first secret typing trick: the Home Row! These are special keys that help your fingers know where to start. Look at the screen and then at your keyboard. On your left hand, your pinky goes on A, your ring finger on S, your middle finger on D, and your pointer finger on F."

"On your right hand, your pointer finger goes on J, your middle finger on K, your ring finger on L, and your pinky on ; (semicolon). Your thumbs just float over the spacebar."

"Try it! Put your fingers on ASDF JKL;. Can you feel the little bumps on the F and J keys? Those bumps are like secret guides for your pointer fingers so you can always find your way back to the home row without looking!"

Practice Makes Perfect! (Slide 4)

"Fantastic! Now that you know your home row, let's practice. I'm going to hand out a Typing Practice Worksheet. This worksheet will help your fingers get used to finding these important keys. We'll trace and write the letters. Take your time, focus on keeping your fingers on that home row as much as possible."

(Distribute Typing Practice Worksheet. Circulate and assist students with finger placement and the worksheet.)

What is Coding? (Slide 5)

"Alright, typing superstars, let's switch gears to another super cool computer skill: coding! Raise your hand if you've ever played a game on a tablet or computer, or used an app on a phone."

"Great! All those games and apps? They exist because of coding! Coding is like giving a computer very specific instructions, step-by-step, to make it do exactly what you want. It's how we tell computers to play music, show videos, or even help us learn new things."

"Think about it: If you want to build a LEGO castle, you follow instructions, right? Coding is just like that, but for computers!"

Algorithms: Step-by-Step Instructions (Slide 6)

"The special name for a list of steps or instructions that a computer follows is an algorithm. Can anyone give me an example of something they do every day that has a lot of steps?"

(Allow students to share examples like getting ready for school, making a sandwich, etc.)

"Excellent examples! Computers need instructions that are even more specific than that. If you tell a computer to 'make a sandwich,' it won't know what to do! You have to tell it: 'Pick up bread,' 'Open jar of peanut butter,' 'Spread peanut butter on bread.' Every tiny step matters!"

"I have some Coding Commands Activity Cards here that show simple instructions we can give. Like 'move forward' or 'turn left.' These are like the small words in a computer's language."

Game Time: Code Your Buddy! (Slide 7)

"Are you ready to try being a coder and a robot? This is a fun game called 'Code Your Buddy.' You'll work with a partner. One of you will be the 'Coder,' and the other will be the 'Robot.'"

"The Coder's job is to give very clear, step-by-step instructions to their Robot. The Robot's job is to follow exactly what the Coder says. Just like a computer! We'll use simple commands like 'take two steps forward,' 'turn right,' 'turn left,' and 'stop.'"

"We have the Code Your Buddy Game Rules to help us. Remember, precision is key! If your instructions aren't clear, your robot might not do what you want!"

(Guide students through the game, circulating to ensure understanding and participation.)

My Code Journey! (Slide 8)

"Wow, you've all done an amazing job today exploring typing and coding! You've learned about the home row keys and how to give computers step-by-step instructions with algorithms."

"To finish our lesson, I'd like you to fill out this Exit Ticket: My Code Journey Cool Down. Think about one new thing you learned today about either typing or coding. What was the most interesting part?"

(Distribute Exit Ticket: My Code Journey Cool Down. Collect them when students are finished.)

"Thank you, everyone! You're well on your way to becoming tech-savvy thinkers!"

Typing Practice: Home Row Heroes!

Name: __________________________ Date: __________________________

Part 1: Find Your Home!

Look at your keyboard. Place your left hand on the A S D F keys and your right hand on the J K L ; keys. Can you feel the bumps on the F and J keys? These are your home keys!

Trace the letters below:

A S D F

J K L ;

Part 2: Write Your Home Keys!

Now, try writing your home row keys without looking at your keyboard. How many times can you write each set?

Left Hand Home Row:
A S D F

Right Hand Home Row:
J K L ;

Part 3: Missing Letters!

Fill in the missing home row letters!

1. A _ D F
   
   
   
   
2. _ K L ;
   
   
   
   
3. A S _ F
   
   
   
   
4. J K _ ;
   
   
   
   

Challenge!

Circle the home row keys in the alphabet soup below:

Z X C V B N M A S D F G H J K L ; Q W E R T Y U I O P

Code & Keys: What is Coding?

This discussion is designed to introduce students to the concept of computer coding and its presence in their daily lives. Encourage open sharing and connect their experiences to the idea of instructions for computers.

Discussion Prompts:

1. What do you think 'coding' means?

   • Facilitator Note: Guide students to think about giving instructions or telling something what to do.
     
     
     
     

2. Can you think of any games, apps, or even toys that you use that might have been created with 'code'?

   • Facilitator Note: Help them make connections to video games, educational apps, smart devices, robots, etc.
     
     
     
     

3. Imagine you want to teach a robot how to pick up a toy. What exact steps would you need to tell it?

   • Facilitator Note: This helps introduce the concept of algorithms without using the term yet. Emphasize the need for clear, specific steps.
     
     
     
     

4. Why do you think it might be important to learn about coding, even if you don't want to be a computer programmer when you grow up?

   • Facilitator Note: Encourage ideas about problem-solving, logical thinking, and understanding the world around them.
     
     
     
     

Coding Commands Activity Cards

These cards represent simple commands that a computer (or a robot!) can understand. You can print and cut these out, or simply write them on the board.

COMMAND CARD

MOVE FORWARD 1 STEP

(Take one step directly in front of you.)

COMMAND CARD

MOVE BACKWARD 1 STEP

(Take one step directly behind you.)

COMMAND CARD

TURN LEFT

(Turn your body to face left.)

COMMAND CARD

TURN RIGHT

(Turn your body to face right.)

COMMAND CARD

PICK UP OBJECT

(If an object is in front of you, pretend to pick it up.)

COMMAND CARD

DROP OBJECT

(Pretend to drop the object you are holding.)

COMMAND CARD

SAY "HELLO"

(Speak the word "Hello".)

COMMAND CARD

STOP

(Freeze in place.)

Code Your Buddy Game Rules!

Goal: Work with a partner to guide your "robot" buddy using only specific coding commands!

How to Play:

1. Find a Partner! You will work in teams of two.
2. Choose Roles:
   • One person is the Coder (the one who gives instructions).
   • One person is the Robot (the one who follows instructions).
3. The Coder's Job:
   • Your job is to tell your Robot exactly what to do, step-by-step, using only the approved commands.
   • You can challenge your Robot to move from one side of the room to another, pick up an imaginary object, or draw a simple shape on paper by moving their hand.
   • Remember, computers need very clear instructions!
4. The Robot's Job:
   • Your job is to listen carefully and follow every command the Coder gives you, exactly as it's said.
   • If the Coder says "Move forward 1 step," you take one step forward. If they say "Turn left," you turn left. No extra movements or guessing!
5. Approved Commands:
   • MOVE FORWARD [NUMBER] STEPS (e.g., "Move forward 3 steps")
   • MOVE BACKWARD [NUMBER] STEPS (e.g., "Move backward 1 step")
   • TURN LEFT
   • TURN RIGHT
   • STOP
   • PICK UP IMAGINARY OBJECT
   • DROP IMAGINARY OBJECT
6. Switch Roles! After a few minutes, or when your Coder has achieved their goal, switch roles so everyone gets a chance to be both the Coder and the Robot.

Important Tips:

• Be Specific! If you want your robot to turn and then move, you need to say "Turn right" then "Move forward 2 steps." You can't say "Turn right and move forward." Those are two separate commands!
• Have Fun! This game helps us understand how important clear instructions are in coding.

Exit Ticket: My Code Journey

Name: __________________________ Date: __________________________


### 1. Today, I learned something new about: (Circle one)

TYPING            CODING

2. One new thing I learned today is...

3. What was your favorite part of the lesson? (Optional)