Type:
Scratch
Curriculum Links to:
Science, D&T
Computer Science Concepts: Programming, Outputs, Inputs, Control
Computational Thinking Concepts & Approaches:
-
Creating
RESOURCE OVERVIEW:
In this activity pupils create a sound monitor for their classroom. The sound monitors they create are examples of control programs they take information from an input sensor (a microphone), and use this information to alter the output of the program (displaying a warning message if pupils are too noisy).
Optional: Schools with Lego Education WeDo hubs and motors may choose to use this equipment to have an additional movement output, such as waving a flag when pupils are too noisy.
PUPIL OBJECTIVES:
- I can write a control program.
- I can create a control system.
TEACHING ASSESSMENT OPPORTUNITIES:
- Informal teacher assessment of progress during lesson. Focus on: pupils’ understanding of functions of input, output devices and of control programs; pupils’ design for a sound monitor; pupils’ ability to implement design as program in Scratch.
- Formal summative assessment of designs and Scratch projects (completed in pairs).
LESSON TIMING: 60 min
EQUIPMENT REQUIRED:
- MIT’s Scratch 2.0 or Scratch 1.4. (Please refer to this guide on the ways to download and use our Scratch resources in your school).
- Pupil access to the Scratch resources.
- The computers used for this activity must have microphones.
- Scratch commands help sheet (see download resource link above).
- Extension activity help sheet (see download resource link above).
- Sound monitor examples – see links below and download resource link above.
- Optional: if your school has access to Lego Education WeDo equipment, pupils wish to use the hub and motor in this activity as an output for their control program. More information appears in this guide.