In investigate lessons, students dive into the world of programming by using computers to read, discuss, and modify examples of working code. This is the stage where they move from just thinking about a new concept, which they did in the explore lesson, to actually programming with it. Most of the time in an investigate lesson is spent on reading and changing two or three example programs.
Today, we have three main tasks: reading code, discussing it as a class, and then modifying it to test our understanding. So, let’s grab our laptops and begin with the first program.
To get ready for investigate lessons, it’s important to understand the programs you’ll be working with and the questions you’ll discuss. Make sure to read the sample programs and review the discussion prompts. It can be challenging, so try to think ahead about any misunderstandings that might come up and plan when to bring the class together for discussions.
During discussions, encourage students to share their observations with each other before summarizing the key points for everyone. For example, you might say, “Alright class, let’s come together. I noticed you all reading the program and having great discussions at your tables. Let’s talk about how this program works. Does anyone want to point out a line of code they find interesting?” Since this is a collaborative lesson, it’s important to keep everyone on the same page, so no one is too far ahead or behind.
Encourage students to modify the program to test their understanding and practice programming with the new concept. This hands-on experience is crucial for learning.
To conclude an investigate lesson, lead a discussion that reviews the concept and highlights common patterns for using it. These patterns often show up in practice and help reinforce what students have learned.
Investigate lessons are a great way to deepen your understanding of programming concepts by actively engaging with code. By reading, discussing, and modifying programs, you’ll build a strong foundation for future learning.
Start by reading the provided example programs. As you read, jot down any questions or interesting observations you have about the code. Try to predict what each part of the code does before running it. This will help you develop a deeper understanding of the programming concepts.
Join your classmates in a group discussion. Share your observations and questions about the code. Listen to others’ insights and try to connect different ideas. This collaborative effort will help clarify any misunderstandings and reinforce your learning.
Choose one of the example programs and modify it to change its behavior. Experiment with different changes and observe the outcomes. This hands-on activity will test your understanding and help you apply the new programming concepts.
Pair up with a classmate and review each other’s modified code. Provide constructive feedback and discuss the changes made. This peer review process will enhance your critical thinking and coding skills.
Conclude the lesson by reflecting on what you’ve learned. Write a short summary of the key concepts and patterns you observed in the programs. This reflection will help solidify your understanding and prepare you for future programming challenges.
Here’s a sanitized version of the provided YouTube transcript:
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In investigate lessons, students are on computers, reading, discussing, and modifying examples of working code. This is when they transition from the mental model they developed in the explore lesson to actually programming with a new concept. The majority of an investigate lesson is focused on reading and modifying two or three example programs.
Alright class, today we are going to do three things: we are going to read code, discuss as a full class what we are seeing, and then modify code to test our knowledge. So let’s get our laptops out and start working on this first program.
To prepare for investigate lessons, you’ll want to have a good handle on the program students will be reading and the prompts they’ll be discussing. Read the sample programs yourself and review the discussion prompts. It could be tricky, so try to anticipate misconceptions in advance and plan when you’ll bring the whole class together for discussions.
In the following discussions, ask students to share what they’re noticing with one another before summarizing any key takeaways for the whole class.
Alright class, I’m going to bring us back together. I saw you all reading the program and having some good discussions at your tables. Let’s talk together about how this program works. Is there anybody who wants to offer a line of code they think is particularly interesting? Since this is a collaborative lesson, make sure to keep the class together with no students ahead or behind at any point.
Finally, encourage students to modify the program to test their knowledge and practice programming with the new concept.
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To wrap up an investigate lesson, you’ll lead a discussion that reviews the concept and highlights common patterns for using it. These patterns frequently appear in practice and enhance lessons.
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This version removes any informal language and maintains a professional tone while preserving the core content.
Programming – The process of creating a set of instructions that tell a computer how to perform a task. – Example sentence: In programming class, we learned how to write a simple game using Python.
Code – A system of words, letters, figures, or symbols used to represent others, especially for the purpose of secrecy or brevity in computer programming. – Example sentence: The code for the new app was written in JavaScript.
Computers – Electronic devices that can store, retrieve, and process data, and are used for various tasks such as word processing, internet browsing, and programming. – Example sentence: Computers have become essential tools for students to complete their homework and projects.
Lessons – Units of instruction or learning experiences, often part of a larger course or curriculum. – Example sentence: Our teacher prepared interactive lessons to help us understand the basics of HTML and CSS.
Modify – To change or alter something, often to improve it or make it more suitable for a particular purpose. – Example sentence: We had to modify the code to fix the bug that was causing the program to crash.
Discussions – Exchanges of ideas or debates about a particular topic, often used to enhance understanding or solve problems. – Example sentence: Our group had several discussions about how to improve the user interface of our project.
Understanding – The ability to comprehend or grasp the meaning of something, such as a concept or a piece of information. – Example sentence: Gaining a deep understanding of algorithms is crucial for becoming a proficient programmer.
Concepts – Abstract ideas or general notions that occur in the mind, in speech, or in thought, often fundamental to understanding a subject. – Example sentence: The teacher explained the concepts of loops and conditionals in our coding class.
Students – Individuals who are engaged in learning, especially those enrolled in a school or educational program. – Example sentence: The students worked together to solve the challenging coding problem.
Collaboration – The action of working with others to produce or create something, often leading to better results in projects or tasks. – Example sentence: Collaboration among team members is key to successfully completing a group coding project.
