Students work in small groups to play a game which introduces them to variables. They learn that variables have different types, and how they can be used in computer programs.
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Students work in small groups to play a game: Robot Boxes. One student plays the part of the Robot, which executes a given set of instructions (an algorithm containing variables) to walk out a rectangle. One student plays the part of the Filler, who assigns values to variables. One student plays the part of the Calculator, which uses variable values to calculate the area or perimeter of the rectangle by applying formulas.
Students are given the length and width of a rectangle and must find the area or perimeter by applying formulas.
Students are introduced to variables. They learn that variables have different types, and how they can be used in computer programs.