Introduction to Programming: Module 1

Blockly

(Lois Delcambre)
PART 1 – BLOCKLY
 What is a program?

• A step-by-step set of instructions

3
an program – for a person

allrecipes.com

4
 A program for a pianist

http://www.elikamahony.com/2013/04/04/awakening-and-enchantment-piano-sheet-music-available/ 5
http://www.architecturendesign.net/18-clear-succinct-ways-to-wear-a-tie/ 6
You need to know how to do the task, step
by step, before you can write a program to
perform that task!

Imagine trying to write the instructions for

tying a Windsor knot – if you don’t know
how to do it.
 Plan

1. Blockly
a programming language used at code.org - to teach
beginners how to program
2. Python
a programming language used by Google and other
companies. Also used for teaching. We’ll use the
turtle module
 Plan for today

1. introduction to puzzles;
blocks executed one after the other;
repeat block (with blocks inside)
2. blocks that check conditions
repeat while, if, if/else
3. defining new blocks/commands by defining
functions
 a puzzle

• You need to write a

program so that
the bee can:

get all the nectar

(from flowers)
&
make all the honey
(in honeycombs)
the bee
dark
green
squares
- where
the bee
can move
The rest
of the
puzzle
board
can be
ignored.

The bee
can’t
go there.
 a flower
where a bee can
get nectar

small number
tells you how
many times
the bee can sip
nectar here
 a honeycomb
where a bee can
make honey

small number
tells you how
many times
the bee can deposit
honey here
bee blocks/commands

• forward (one square)

• turn left/right
• get nectar from a flower
• make honey in a
honeycomb
One program that works …
Another program
that works …
A program that doesn’t
work … Why not?
Screen layout – for blockly
the puzzle
the description of the puzzle
the commands/blocks you can use
your program
 drag and click commands
to attach them to other commands
Pull them apart to rearrange your commands
(note this program has an error)
Pull them apart again
drag and click in a new block
fill in how many times you want to repeat
drag and click command(s) into repeat block
push this button to run your program
 Demo at code.org

• Go to the code.org website

• Click on “Elementary School” under “Educators” –
the blue box second from the left
• Click on “Curriculum Overview”
• Click on Course 3
go to Course 3
Course 3, Lesson 13, Puzzle 1: bee nested loops
 Course 3, Lesson 13, Puzzle 1: bee nested loops
Modify/complete this program to solve the puzzle
 More Class Activity
Write two different programs for each
• Course 3, Lesson 13, Puzzle 2 (skip the video)

• Course 3, Lesson 13, Puzzle 3

Also … try to make mistakes,

run the puzzle before you complete it,
move outside of the dark green area,
try to make honey, etc.
 Plan for today

1. introduction to puzzles;
blocks executed one after the other;
repeat block (with blocks inside)
2. blocks that check conditions
repeat while, if, if/else
3. defining new blocks/commands by defining
functions
take the Zombie
to the
sunflower;
avoid the chomper

sunflower
Could you
write the
program?
zombie

chomper
 Some commands can check conditions

• A condition returns
either True or False
• A condition can be
checked each time a
repeat until block is
about to run
• A condition is checked
once for an if command

Note: in blockly, specific conditions (for the

puzzle you’re working on) are built-in.
The beginnings of a program
Course 3, Lesson 8, Puzzle 3
A completed program that works
 Maze (zombie); Course 3, Lesson 8, Puzzle 4

• everyone try it
 Class Activity to practice conditionals

• Course 3: Lesson 8, Puzzle 1, 2, 3, and 8

if/else and repeat until with the zombie
 Plan for today

1. introduction to puzzles;
blocks executed one after the other;
repeat block (with blocks inside)
2. blocks that check conditions
repeat while, if, if/else
3. defining new blocks/commands by defining
functions
 Defining new commands!!!

• video
Note: we’ve seen functions before
http://kids.niehs.nih.gov/games/songs/childr
ens/baa_baa_black_sheepmp3
.htm
Chorus:
Baa, baa black sheep,
Have you any wool?
Yes sir, yes sir,
Three bags full.

One for the master.

One for the dame.
And one for the little boy
who lives down the lane.

Chorus

One to mend the jerseys,

One to mend the socks.
And one to mend the holes
In the little girl's socks.

Chorus
http://kids.niehs.nih.gov/games/songs/childr
ens/baa_baa_black_sheepmp3
.htm
Chorus: function
Baa, baa black sheep, definition
Have you any wool?
Yes sir, yes sir,
Three bags full.
function
One for the master.
name
One for the dame.
And one for the little boy
who lives down the lane.

Chorus

One to mend the jerseys, function

One to mend the socks. invocation
And one to mend the holes
In the little girl's socks.

Chorus
 http://kids.niehs.nih.gov/games/songs/childr
ens/baa_baa_black_sheepmp3
.htm
Chorus: function
Baa, baa black sheep, definition
Have you any wool?
Yes sir, yes sir,
Three bags full.
function
Note: we are expected name
One for the master.
to sing the chorus One for the dame.
And one for the little boy
in the beginning, once. who lives down the lane.

In a program, the Chorus

function
function definition is One to mend the jerseys,
One to mend the socks. invocation
NOT executed. It is only And one to mend the holes
In the little girl's socks.

executed when we have Chorus

a function invocation.
 Another Example of Function Definition
and Invocation (on next page)
Triple Coconut Cake Recipe

http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2017/06/coconut-cake-recipe.html
 This recipe asks you to make
other recipes (defined elsewhere)
Triple Coconut Cake Recipe
More ingredients More instructions
 Function Invocation

Triple Coconut Cake Recipe

More ingredients More instructions
Let’s see functions in blockly
This gray box defines a function;
you can put code in the gray box
Here is the name of the function
 the new function is
just like any other command!
“get 5” command is in the program
(note: this program doesn’t work)
 Class Activity to practice using functions

• Course 3, Lesson 6: Puzzles 3, 4, and 5

 For practice
repeat, repeat until, if, and functions
• Course 3: Lesson 13 – all puzzles
• Course 3: Lesson 8 – all puzzles
• Course 3: Lesson 6 – all puzzles