Mobile CSP | Hour of Code

Lesson Plan for Play That Tune App

Student Activity: ​http://mobile-csp.org/hourofcode

Play That Tune App Lesson Plan 

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Audience: Grades 6+ 

In this activity, students use Blockly to program

tunes matching ones they hear and see on a
keyboard. Students can complete a series of 9
levels, each with an increasingly difficult tune.
After the ninth level, they can create their own
tune of up to 20 blocks which can be downloaded
onto an Android phone or tablet. As an extension,
students can also open the Play That Tune app in
App Inventor to modify the user interface and
blocks.

Learning Objectives: 
In this lesson students will learn to:
● Create a blocks-based program that plays
short musical tunes
● Order blocks so that musical notes play in
a sequence
● Use repetition to play a sequence of notes
multiple times
● Use an if/else block to change the length
of the note (its interval)
● Download and share an Android app that
plays their own musical tune
● Modify an App Inventor program

Materials 
● Chromebook, tablet, or laptop (2-3 students can share a device)
● Optional - Android phone or tablet with M ​ IT AI2 Companion​ installed and Wi-Fi access
● Solutions to the Play That Tune levels 1-9​ (Note: To access this document you must be
a verified educator that is part of the Teaching Mobile CSP Forum. Sign up in ​Teach 1.7​.
 Mobile CSP | Hour of Code
Lesson Plan for Play That Tune App
Student Activity: ​http://mobile-csp.org/hourofcode

Learning Activities 

Estimated Length: 60 minutes 

● Hook/Motivation (5 minutes):​ Select an option most appropriate for your students

○ Play a song or two (or even a series of notes) and ask students to guess them
○ Play a sequence of notes on a piano or keyboard (​virtual piano​) and ask students
to guess them
● Experiences and Explorations (20 - 50 minutes):
○ If sharing computers, pair students and give each pair a computer
○ Students open ​www.mobile-csp.org/hourofcode​ in their browser
○ Students can explore the activity in pairs using the hints on the web page OR the
teacher can demonstrate the first level and then allow students to explore the
other levels.
○ Levels 1-9 play a set of tunes that are increasingly more complex. After
completing Level 9 (or earlier if time is limited), students can make their own
tunes on the Create level.
○ Downloading Apps:​ Once completed, they can be packaged and installed on an
Android phone or tablet. To install the app, a QR code reader (or ​MIT AI2
Companion​) must be installed on the device. Click the package button and wait
for the QR code to display, which may take up to a minute or two. Then, open the
QR code reader app and hold it up to the QR code, which is displayed in the
upper right of the page. Note: you will likely be prompted to change the
permissions to allow installation of an app from an untrusted source.
○ Enrichment - App Inventor:​ Students can modify the Play That Tune app using
App Inventor, a blocks-based programming environment for creating apps,
similar to the Play That Tune blocks. The App Inventor button will open a second
page with additional instructions and programming challenges. Note: to use App
Inventor, a Gmail account is needed to login. It’s also recommended that the MIT
AI2 Companion app is installed on the phone or tablet.
● Rethink, Reflect and/or Revise (5 minutes):
○ Ask students to identify the types of blocks used in the program (play, repeat, set
interval, if/else)
○ Ask students which block allowed them to create longer tunes with fewer blocks?
(repeat)
○ Share some examples of the tunes students created, emphasizing how they were
able to express their own creativity. If time, students could switch with another
pair or do a gallery walk to look at all the apps created in class.
 Mobile CSP | Hour of Code
Lesson Plan for Play That Tune App
Student Activity: ​http://mobile-csp.org/hourofcode

Differentiation 
● More Practice​ - Students may struggle to remember the notes from watching or
listening to them on the screen. Each pair could have a pencil and paper to write them
​ utton, which will display a list of notes. Emphasize that
down as well or use the ​Hints b
some students may have more experience with pianos or keyboards and reading music,
just like some may have more experience with writing programs.
● Enrichment​ - Students who complete Levels 1-9 and the Create program can explore
the more powerful App Inventor programming environment.

Teaching Tips 
● Pair programming​ - students should take turns on the computer, switching every couple
levels; teachers should make sure that students not on the computer are providing
suggestions and feedback to their partner

Background Knowledge 
● Algorithms - All programs can be made up of three basic types of blocks, or statements:
sequence, selection, and repetition.
● Remixing - Using an existing program and editing it in order to produce a new, modified
version.

CSTA Standards Alignment 

● 1B-AP-10​ Create programs that include sequences, events, loops, and conditionals.
(P5.2)
● 1B-AP-12​ Modify, remix, or incorporate portions of an existing program into one's own
work, to develop something new or add more advanced features. (P5.3)
● 1B-AP-15​ Test and debug (identify and fix errors) a program or algorithm to ensure it
runs as intended. (P6.1, P6.2)
● 3A-AP-16​ Design and iteratively develop computational artifacts for practical intent,
personal expression, or to address a societal issue by using events to initiate
instructions. (P5.2)

ISTE Standards Alignment 

● Computational Thinker 5a​ - Students formulate problem definitions suited for
technology-assisted methods such as data analysis, abstract models and algorithmic
thinking in exploring and finding solutions.
● Computational Thinker 5d​ - Students understand how automation works and use
algorithmic thinking to develop a sequence of steps to create and test automated
solutions.
 Mobile CSP | Hour of Code
Lesson Plan for Play That Tune App
Student Activity: ​http://mobile-csp.org/hourofcode

● Creative Communicator 6b​ - Students create original works or responsibly repurpose or

remix digital resources into new creations.

Beyond One Hour 

● More tutorials for all grade levels are available on ​App Inventor for Educators
● Mobile CSP​ offers a full curriculum for the ​AP CS Principles course
● AppInventor.org​ includes an online book and more curriculum