Egyptian Animation

Lesson Plan: Egyptian Animation using Visual

In this activity, students program an animation of two sprites interacting using the coding tools 'Visual' found in the j2e tool suite of digital tools.Their animation must have a character providing information on a ancient Egyptian god

In doing so they learn that programming is the process of implementing algorithms as code and about the importance of sequencing commands.

Use the video on the right as to showcase the kind of animation you will want your students to create.

The 'design' for example can be a comic strip with simple stick figures.

Task 1: Ask your students (Working in partners) to create an algorithm design for this task including information on:

1. When and how the sprites move

2. What the sprites say and how long they say it for.

Task 2: Ask your students (Working in partners again) to apply the design via the coding platfrom 'Visual' in j2e

Explore how students can use the 'Broadcast block' this is an Events block and a stack block which sends a broadcast throughout the program. Any scripts in any sprites that are hatted (put on top) with a "when I receive block/message block" will then activate. Broadcasts are a good way to have sprites and scripts communicate.

Questions for feedback:

  1. Does the animation match their algorithm?

  2. Did the events happen in the correct sequence?

  3. Did the sprites move at the correct time, in the right direction and at the right speed?

Plenary discussion questions:

Why was the sequence of commands important?

  1. Can you explain what each command that you have used does and why you needed each?

  2. Did you have any bugs in your program? How did you fix them?

  3. What steps have you gone through in creating your animation?

  4. How have you learnt this lesson?