Lab 1.1 inadequately scaffolds for the kaleidoscope effect

[jalexchapman]

A few students in my class had trouble with the kaleidoscope part of the 1.1 lab -- and were flummoxed about how to use addition and subtraction to achieve the mirroring effect. While it's hinted you might be able to use subtraction -- and "0 - mouse x" will work to mirror over the x axis -- it's not immediately obvious to students to think of mirroring in terms of subtraction.

It might be useful to add the following to the instructions:

Add 5.4
"How does program's behavior change when you modify the go to block as shown below?

go to x: (mouse x) y: ((mouse y) * 2)

Modify 7's tips:
"Pay close attention to what each of the other sprites is doing in the animation above. You will need to modify the x and y inputs in each sprite's go to x-y block using simple formulas, with addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division."

add () x () and () / () blocks in the preview

[jalexchapman]

Actually I'd go as far as to say that the kaleidoscope activity is flatly inappropriate for its placement in the rest of the unit. It's asking the students to do a bit of open-ended math synthesis and manage multiple sprites concurrently. It's only a handful of the points available in the lab overall, and going through the rest of the lab is a much more fruitful use of a full class period than getting frustrated at a puzzle. At most, the kaleidoscope should just be an extra treat for students who are done early.

[jalexchapman]

The docx/pdf versions of the lab could also use a still image of the kaleidoscope in action.