Code a Parade Balloons Over Broadway Read Aloud Coding Activity

Integrate coding, Robotics, STEM, and literacy!

Code a Thanksgiving Day Parade! This challenge is a great activity to complete after reading Balloons Over Broadway by Melissa Sweet. The activity can stand alone, but it is best if students are familiar with the book.

In this Thanksgiving coding challenge, students complete the program plan sheet to think through the goal of their program (to make it from start to finish while avoiding all of the obstacles). They test their code with hands-on cutouts and fix any bugs.

There are both unplugged coding options and opportunities to use a robot of your choice. Also includes a latex-free version where students create a float without a balloon.

Material List:

• balloons or paper plates
• scissors
• glue
• tape
• color sticks, crayons, or markers
• Makerspace consumables
• robot of your choice
• Balloons Over Broadway by Melissa Sweet (optional)

Includes:

• Teacher Instructions
• Editable Canva Slides
• Student Coding Worksheets
• Balloon Animal Cut-Outs
• Student Instructions
• Coding Cutouts
• Coding Mat
• Read Aloud Coding Activity
• Vocabulary Words (Computer, Coding, Programmer)