Unplugged Programming: Program a Dance

Explore coding concepts without a computer.   In this dance-based activity, you’ll experience fundamental programming principles—like sequences (ordered steps) and loops (repeating steps)—through movement. Get ready to code with your body and discover how algorithms come to life on the dance floor!

Key Concepts:

• Sequences: A specific order of steps that must be followed. For example, if a dance routine includes “step left, clap, spin,” the dancer must execute those steps in that exact sequence.
• Loops: A set of steps that repeat multiple times. If the routine requires “step left, clap, spin” to be repeated three times, that’s a loop.

How It Works:

1. Design the Dance Algorithm: Students create their dance by listing steps in order. They write it down in their notebook, just like coding a program.
2. Identify Loops: If a set of movements repeats, they use notation like “repeat 3 times” to indicate the loop.
3. Test the Program: They perform the dance to see if their “code” works correctly.
4. Debugging: If steps feel out of sync, they adjust the sequence or loops, much like fixing errors in a program.

Extensions:

1. Conditional Moves (If-Then Statements): Introduce conditionals by assigning movement rules:

• If the music speeds up, do a jump.
• If the leader claps twice, spin in place. This helps participants understand how programs make decisions based on conditions.

2. Nested Loops Challenge: Introduce loops within loops!

• Repeat a simple move three times (inner loop), then repeat the entire sequence twice (outer loop). This mirrors how nested loops work in programming.

3. Parallel Programming (Synchronization): Split participants into small groups, each following different sequences simultaneously. Discuss how computers process multiple tasks at once, just like dancers moving in sync.