Coding With Code Monkey Jr.

Empowered Learner, Computational Thinker

Overview

Code Monkey is an engaging coding program for students starting at preschool. Students will help an adorable monkey get his bananas back from a greedy gorilla who stole them. As students progress, they will meet other characters like a trusty turtle, who will help them with challenging problems. Each answer students submit will be graded automatically giving students instant feedback.

Note: This is recommended for grades Kindergarten - 8th.

Learning Objectives

Students will:

Be able to learn problem-solving skills, logic, and creativity while coding.
Be able to learn how to persevere and think critically.

Vocabulary

Vocabulary Words:

MR: MR moves the monkey one tile to the right.
ML: ML moves the monkey one tile to the left.
Jump-Up: Jump-up moves the monkey one tile up.
Jump-right: Jump-right jumps the monkey one tile up and to the right.
Jump-left: Jump-left jumps the monkey one tile up and to the left.
Loop: Loop repeats the code until you reach the goal.
Path: This is the area the monkey moves through.
Coding Area: This is where students will drag and drop blocks.
Block Library: This is a collection of available blocks for the level.

Pre-planning

To prepare for this lesson:

Watch the short overview video of Code Monkey
Go to the website Code Monkey. Sign up as a teacher with your Google account. Once you are signed in, click on the three lines in the upper right corner and click on my classroom. You can create your classroom.
Use the Teacher's Guide for written directions on setting up a classroom, coding instructions, computing concepts, and levels.
Teachers can choose one of these if using the free version:
- Coding Adventure Part 1 : Through Challenge 30
- CodeMonkey Jr., Banana Tales Part 1 Python: Through Challenge 30
- All of CodeMonkey Hour of Code Content
Assign students what you want them to do.

Accommodations

See Accommodations Page and Charts on the 21things4students.net site in the Teacher Resources.

Steps

Directions for this activity:

Have students watch the video tutorial before they start - Code Monkey Tutorial
Students will go to the website and begin working on their coding.

Assessment Options

Different options for assessing the students:

Observations
Check for understanding
Students will have to complete levels before the move forward.

MITECS Competencies & ISTE Standards

MITECS: Michigan adopted the "ISTE Standards for Students" called MITECS (Michigan Integrated Technology Competencies for Students) in 2018.

Empowered Learner
1a. Students use technology to seek feedback that informs and improves their practice and to demonstrate their learning in a variety of ways.

Computational Thinker
1a. Students formulate problem definitions suited for technology-assisted methods such as data analysis, abstract models and algorithmic thinking in exploring and finding solutions.
1c. Students break problems into component parts, extract key information, and develop descriptive models to understand complex systems or facilitate problem-solving.
1d. Students understand how automation works and use algorithmic thinking to develop a sequence of steps to create and test automated solutions.