Lesson 1.06: Mad Libs
Learning Objectives
- Apply basic Python knowledge about inputs/outputs and variables to create a game of madlibs
- Practice good debugging skills
Materials/Preparation
- Project Spec - Mad Libs
- Mad Libs - Example Code
- Practice running the example code
- Read through the project specifications so that you can completely communicate the requirements of the project
Pacing Guide
| Duration | Description |
|---|---|
| 5 Minutes | Quiz Debrief |
| 10 Minutes | Project Overview |
| 40 Minutes | Project Work |
Day 2 (if needed)
| Duration | Description |
|---|---|
| 45 Minutes | Project Work |
| 10 Minutes | Wrap Up - Student Demos |
Instructors Notes
- Project Overview
- Introduce students to the Mad Lib concept by using a short, written out Mad Lib on the whiteboard, poster paper, or projector.
- Pass out and the project specification and walk students through all the requirements and potential challenges.
- Emphasize that prompts must ask for the correct noun-verb combinations.
- Encourage students to look at the grading rubric on page two repeatedly throughout the project to ensure they are meeting all the requirements.
- Demo a sample project solution for students to see how a completed program should function.
- Identify the sub problems of Mad Libs
- Have students list what variables, inputs, and print statements they will need
- Project Work
- This project is a summative assessment for the unit. Students should be demonstrating mastery of all the skills covered.
- Most students will require roughly 1 hour of total work time to complete the project
- Assess the progress of your students regularly using such techniques as asking them to demonstrate their incomplete programs, tracking questions asked during lab time, and/or utilizing peer reviews.
- Adjust the amount of time allowed for the project to fit the needs of your students
- It is vital that nearly all students complete the project before moving on
- If most students have the ability to work on assignments at home, the amount of in-class time provided can be reduced if necessary.
- If this approach is taken, be sure to make accommodations for students who not able to work at home, such as after school lab hours
- Ensure that students are able to ask questions in class throughout the project
- Wrap Up - Student Demos
- Celebrate and showcase student work once projects are completed.
- Have students demonstrate their Mad Libs for the class, with the class choosing what nouns/verbs/etc to use for the story.
- Celebrate and showcase student work once projects are completed.
Accommodation/Differentiation
Ask students to research casting. Have them add, subtract, or multiply values as part of the story.