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Stamp that canvas!

  • Grade Level: 4-6
  • Duration: N/A
  • Subject: Mathematics
  • Interdisciplinary Connection: Arts, Social Sciences
  • Platform: Scratch
  • Skill: Design, Programming

This lesson integrates Scratch coding with artistic expression to help students physically see and experiment with custom block procedures and spatial stamping patterns.

Lesson inspired by Canada learning Code original content.

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What's in this lesson

  • Lesson Plan

    Editable document

  • Video/Slides

  • Assessment

    Formative

Curricular Connections Accordion

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Mathematics

Grade 4

Strand C: Algebra (Coding Skills)

  • C3.1: "Solve problems and create computational representations of mathematical situations by writing and executing code, including code that involves sequential, concurrent, repeating, and nested events."
  • C3.2: "Read and alter existing code, including code that involves sequential, concurrent, repeating, and nested events, and describe how changes to the code affect the outcomes."

Strand E: Spatial Sense (Location and Movement)

  • E1.3: "Describe and perform translations and reflections on a grid, and predict the results of these transformations."

Grade 5-6

Strand C: Algebra (Coding Skills)

  • C3.1: "Solve problems and create computational representations of mathematical situations by writing and executing code, including code that involves conditional statements and other control structures."
  • C3.2: "Read and alter existing code, including code that involves conditional statements and other control structures, and describe how changes to the code affect the outcomes."

Mathematics

To solve a situational problem related to mathematics

  • Indication (oral or written) that the situational problem has been understood:

- Planning of steps involved in the situational problem

- Identification of relevant information

- Consideration of the constraints of the situational problem

  • Correct application of the concepts and processes required to produce an appropriate solution:

- Selection of the required mathematical concepts and processes

- Correct application of the required concepts and processes

  • Explanation (oral or written) of the main aspects of the solution:

- Clear, thorough indication (oral or written) of how the solution is worked out

Objectives Accordion

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Learning goals

Students will be able to…

  • Add and define their own custom blocks in Scratch.
  • Understand how to fill the entire screen using only one sprite by utilizing multiple costumes and sizes.
  • Recognize the importance of detail in coding.

Success criteria

I can ...

  • Create a custom block.
  • Create a working Scratch script.

Material Accordion

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Required: Computers or tablets to use Scratch.

Optional: Screen to show the tutorial slides to the class.

Lesson Accordion

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Activity Description
Prior Knowledge

Learners will need some basic experience on Scratch

Minds On

Creating new blocks on Scratch

Using this guide, explain to students how to create new blocks on Scratch.
Model
  • Ask students to open Scratch and start a new project.
  • Tell them to code their own version of a screen-painting pattern.
  • "Different sprites can grow, shrink, and stamp in different ways and directions; inspire yourself by the example and allow your sprite to stamp and paint the canvas freely!”
Practice

Students will open Scratch on their computers and attempt to make their own Stamp code

They will pick a sprite of their choice (e.g. ball, heart, square)

The students will add their own blocks, add the pen extension, and create a code

Consolidation

Classroom exhibition

After students finish coding their stamps, allow them to rotate around the class and observe their classmates’ creations. Let them notice the diversity of creations within similar codes.

Modifications & Accommodations
  • Keep a copy of the guide and let students come and look back at it if they need to refresh their memory
  • Help students who are still struggling to get to a result or encounter a bug in their code one on one
  • Make sure to explain to students how to slow down the pace of their stamping by adding “wait _ seconds” to their code before the stamp command to ensure the safety of students with photosensitivity.

Assessment Accordion

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Formative

The educator will observe students during the independent practice phase using a structured checklist to assess success criteria, including the addition of custom blocks and the creation of a detailed Scratch script.

Extension Accordion

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Extend your thinking

Students are invited to code multiple stamps in the same project and create an art piece.

Cross-curricular connection

Social sciences and Arts: Explore the origins of stamping - LINK