Grades 5–8
STEMSparksStudents will gain an understanding of two computer programming concepts, loops and variables.
Students will produce mashed-up silly lyrics to popular songs, through a Mad Libs style activity.
STEP 1: Introduction to Loop-y Lyrics (5 minutes)
For this activity, students will write song lyrics using loops. In programming language, a loop is a set of repeated code.
Most pop songs have at least one loop in it: the chorus repeating two or three times at the end. Some pretty popular songs have even more: Meghan Trainor’s “All About That Bass,” Taylor Swift’s “Shake it Off,” and Drake and the Future’s “Jumpman” are all examples. And, often, the closer the music gets to straight dance music, the more repetition there is. Think about the Hokey Pokey, Twist, or even “Watch Me Whip.” Lyrics for all the above are included on Pages 1 and 2 of Code Your Story—Loop-y Lyrics
Ask students if they can think of any other songs that contain loops.
STEP 2: Introduction to Var Libs (15 minutes)
Students are...
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