Jill Work, K-8 STEAM curriculum
How to Code a PB&J
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The Project: Offline coding exercise in which students collectively "code" a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, using the vocabulary and process found in the book, How to Code a Sand Castle.
I use a whiteboard, and ask students to tell me the steps exactly as I should do them. Invariably, they will tell me to put the peanut butter and jelly on the bread, without telling me to open the lids and use a spoon or knife to put the PB&J on the bread. With numerous mis-steps, we get through the process. Throughout the exercise, I use the terms code and sequence.
Then I ask for variables, such as substituting almond butter or cream cheese for peanut butter, or Nutella for jelly. We incorporate the variable with an IF-THEN-ELSE statement.
Finally, I ask them if there is any part that can be use a loop, and they usually figure out that they can loop to make additional sandwiches.
I've used this with students as young as first grade and up through 6th grade.
Forget to open jars and spread PB&J
How do the pieces of bread go together?
