Writer’s Studio Students Create Robot Stories with 1st Grade

Knowledge exchange was on the docket for the day when Upper School students met with 1st graders to provide guidance on story writing and learned more about coding in ScratchJr in return.

Leading up to December Recess, 1st grade students created robot stories in ILIS class using ScratchJr, an app that teaches young children (ages 5–7) basic coding concepts by creating interactive stories and games through a simple drag-and-drop interface, allowing them to make characters move, jump, sing and even add their own voices and sounds. ScratchJr is a great way to learn about programming through creative expression. Based on the popular Scratch programming language, this app is specifically tailored for younger children’s development levels.

After ILIS teachers helped 1st graders gain proficiency in ScratchJr, they reached out to Mike Mahany’s Upper School Writer’s Studio students to help their younger counterparts develop their narratives. Students met in the library and broke into groups, with Upper School students helping 1st graders work on their story structure, talking to them about themes and characterization and assisting with writing mechanics (e.g., grammar, spelling, etc.). After taking in all the feedback they received from their Upper School friends, 1st graders reciprocated by showing them how to code in ScratchJr.

Smiles and laughter emanated from each small group as they worked together developing their robot stories and setting them up in ScratchJr—a testament to the concepts they learned and connections they made.

Enjoy photos from this cross-graded curriculum here and samples of student stories here and here.