Mrs. Scratcher added this page on March 14, 2023

I'm going to cover more details about the Variable Mad Libs Unplugged Activity that I showed you in the book.

This Unplugged Activity helps reinforce the lessons we learned about Variables.

Pick someone to be the Developer, and have everyone else be a Variable. Assign each person a name, such as Variable 1, Variable 2, and so on.

Have the Developer assign a noun to each Variable by telling the Variable a word to remember. For example, the Developer says, "Variable 1, I assign you the word, 'Narwhal.'"

Then tell a story, pointing to each Variable to say the noun, as you tell the story.

For example, the Developer says, "There once was a [point to Variable 1] who lived in a [point to Variable 2]..."

After each Variable speaks the noun, the Developer gives the Variable a new noun to remember. For example, the Developer says, "Variable 1, I assign you the new word, 'Hamburger.'"

The Variable forgets the previous word and remembers the new one. Play through at least one story. If there's time, assign someone else to be the Developer and start over.

These story templates are ideas of Mad Lib stories to tell. You can use these ones, combine them a little, or create your own story!

You can do this different ways, but for this template, we have five different Variables.

There once was a [point to Variable 1] who lived in a [point to Variable 2]. One day, the [point to Variable 1] went to see a [Variable 3]. When [Variable 1] saw [Variable 3] they grabbed a(n) [Variable 4]. With [Variable 4], [Variable 1] got closer to [Variable 3]. As [Variable 1] got closer, they saw [Variable 5] right next to [Variable 3]. Then, [Variable 1] quickly walked back to [Variable 2] with [Variable 4].

Now, think of 5 new words and you can follow along with the second story! See a list of ideas for words to use, down below.

There once was a(n) [Variable 1] and [Variable 2] who went to the zoo. [Variable 1] and [Variable 2] brought with them [Variable 3] because how can you not have [Variable 3] at the zoo. At the zoo, [Variable 1] and [Variable 2] saw [Variable 4] and [Variable 5]. After [Variable 1] and [Variable 2] walked away, [Variable 4] and [Variable 5] followed them. However, when [Variable 1] and [Variable 2] walked out of the zoo back home, [Variable 4] and [Variable 5] went back into the zoo.

Now, think of 5 new words and you can follow along with the third story!

One day, [Variable 1] wanted to learn how to [Variable 2]. However, [Variable 1] realized that there were three important steps in order to learn how to [Variable 2]. The first of these steps was getting a [Variable 3] this would start [Variable 1] on their journey. Then, [Variable 1] would have to acquire [Variable 4] in the next step. This is the most crucial of the three items. Finally, for the third step, [Variable 1] had to get a [Variable 5] and then [Variable 1] would be able to successfully learn how to [Variable 2].

Here are ideas for some words that you can assign to your Variables (words that you can tell to the Variables). Feel free to use different words instead.

• Nunchuck
• Narwhal
• Ninja
• Turtle
• Mountain
• Ocean
• Bird
• Dog
• Cat
• Food
• Rocks
• Flowers
• Ships
• Glass
• Car
• Water
• Computer
• Mouse
• House
• Hair
• Monkey
• Hamburger
• Hospital
• Ice
• Insect
• Pillow
• Piano
• Pencil
• Rainbow
• Iron
• Branch
• Island
• River
• Rocket
• Room
• Taco
• Cave

Next, you can take on the two extra challenges to add to your Class Introductions program and learn more! When you're done, you can move on to Level 3, the Classroom Quiz!

1. Challenge 1: Add the introduction for RAM and ROM and one for Amphib Ian, totaling 14 introductions!

2. Challenge 2: Instead of using an if/else ladder, you will put the text and images into a python list (it is a list of variables).

In addition to this Help page and the instructions for our Level 2 challenges, we also have Online Articles, a Learning Quiz, a Help Page, and a Rewards article:

• Level 2: Online Articles - I made you a list of different web pages I found, which will help you learn more about variables, events, and if statements, in addition to what you're learning in our Class Introudctions project.

• Level 2: Learning Quiz - I wrote some questions in case you want to quiz yourself about what you learned. Or you can teach others and quiz them!

• Level 2: Help - This page helps you complete the instructions in the book, in case you get stuck.

• Level 2: Rewards - If you completed the Class Introductions project that we talked about, then I set up this page to act as a reward. You can see some illustrations of me and learn more about who I am! You'll also find the Apple Award digital download, to show off your accomplishment!

After you're completely done with Level 2 (did you do the challenges?), then it's time to move on to Level 3! While you read through Level 3 in your book, you can check out the resources from Mrs. Codala, as she teaches you how to build the Classroom Quiz program:

• Level 3: Classroom Quiz: All Online Resources

I hope you had fun learning about class introductions! This is something that is very important for all of the future levels! Enjoy!

-- Mrs. Scratcher