CODE KALEIDOSCOPE

Creative Code. Colourful Thinking.

Introduction Lesson

Introduction of 8

Exploring Code Kaleidoscope

Learn how to explore Code Kaleidoscope creatively, then explain how changing values affects the artwork.

Do Now — 5 mins Theory — 10 mins I Do — 5 mins We Do — 10 mins You Do — 20 mins Plenary — 5 mins

Lesson Journey

Use these stages to move from reading code to creating your own version.

  1. Predict
  2. Run
  3. Investigate
  4. Modify
  5. Make

Learning Aim

Understand how to explore Code Kaleidoscope creatively, and explain how changing values affects the artwork.

Defined End Point

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to explore Code Kaleidoscope safely, predict how changing values affects artwork, and explain one creative change using computing vocabulary.

Key Vocabulary

creative coding variable output symmetry pattern prediction testing improvement

Do Now

Spot the Pattern

Click images to enlarge.

  1. What patterns can you see?
  2. What do all the designs have in common?
  3. How do you think a computer could create these patterns?
  4. What does the word symmetry mean?

Stretch: What instructions might a computer need to create one of these designs?

Retrieval Practice

Look at a Code Kaleidoscope artwork. Predict which controls might have created the pattern, colours and symmetry.

Theory

Look at the current challenge before drawing. Predict what might happen when you change one value.

Prediction question

Which value do you think will change the artwork the most?

I Do

Open the drawing workspace and try the first challenge. Change one value, then draw again and observe the output.

Watch the Introduction

Watch how to get started with Code Kaleidoscope before opening the drawing workspace yourself.

Open Drawing Workspace

We Do

Use these reflection prompts to explain the artwork like a creative coder.

Notice

What do you notice about the pattern?

Output

What does the word output mean?

Testing

Why is prediction useful before testing code?

Improve

How could you improve your design?

Success

What makes a digital artwork successful?

Variable

How can changing one variable affect the final output?

You Do

I Do

Teacher models opening Code Kaleidoscope, choosing a challenge, changing one value and observing the output.

We Do

Class completes a simple challenge together, changing one value at a time and discussing the result.

You Do

Students complete a short exploration and record what changed, what happened and what they would improve.

Workbook Activity

Create a first Code Kaleidoscope experiment and explain how changing values affected the output.

Bronze

Change one control or value and describe what happened to the artwork.

Silver

Change two or three values and explain which change had the biggest effect.

Gold

Plan a pattern, test changes and explain how variables affected the final output.

WAGOLL

Example code and output.

Use the example to connect the Python instructions with the visual result.

Example variables

segments = 12
shape_size = 10
theme = "Logo"
drawing_mode = "dots"

Example Output

This WAGOLL shows how repeated variables and drawing choices can produce a controlled Code Kaleidoscope outcome.

Plenary

Explain what you learned and identify the next improvement you would make.

Plenary question

  • One thing I changed was...
  • One thing I noticed was...
  • One key word I can explain is...
  • One improvement I would make next is...
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