micro:bit Jingle Bells

This micro:bit Jingle Bells activity can be used after students have learned the basic micro:bit features. Once students have an awareness of the micro:bit basics this is a great introductory activity to explore the speaker and music outputs available for programming on the V2 micro:bit.

Grade Levels: 4 - 8
Subject Matter: Physical Computing, Cross-Curricular Integration: Other
Concepts: Programs and Algorithms
Standards: 3-5.PA.2, 3-5.PA.3, 3-5.PA.5, 6-8.PA.1, 6-8.PA.2, 6-8.PA.4
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Materials

Main Lesson Plan

Main Lesson Plan / Activity Link: Remix of https://microbit.org/projects/make-it-code-it/frere-jacques-tune/ 

Supplies: 

  • V2 micro:bit per student / pair (if no micro:bits are available code and run on the provided simulator) 
  • Computer per micro:bit
  • Printouts of jingle bells or other holiday song sheet music (with notes) – example to right

Special Note: If Version 2 (V2) micro:bits are used, an external speaker/headphones are not required. If a Version 1 (V1) micro:bit is used, then an external speaker/headphones are required. Instructions for attaching headphones can be found here: https://microbit.org/projects/make-it-code-it/make-some-noise/

Main Lesson Plan / Activity Link: Remix of https://microbit.org/projects/make-it-code-it/frere-jacques-tune/ 

Supplies: 

  • V2 micro:bit per student / pair (if no micro:bits are available code and run on the provided simulator) 
  • Computer per micro:bit
  • Printouts of jingle bells or other holiday song sheet music (with notes) – example to right

Special Note: If Version 2 (V2) micro:bits are used, an external speaker/headphones are not required. If a Version 1 (V1) micro:bit is used, then an external speaker/headphones are required. Instructions for attaching headphones can be found here: https://microbit.org/projects/make-it-code-it/make-some-noise/

Tips for Running Activity

  • Before jumping right into the jingle bell song, have students explore the music feature by asking students to code the micro:bit to play a note between middle C and high C when button A is pressed for 1 beat.
    • Example Code:
  • After students have mastered this code, give them a time limit to play around with creating their song with varying beat limits.
  • Introduce students to using comments in the code, this allows students to describe choices made or identify specific sections of code for a later purpose:
    • Example Code with Comments:
  • This chart is helpful for knowing the timing of notes to beats: 
  • Before jumping right into the jingle bell song, have students explore the music feature by asking students to code the micro:bit to play a note between middle C and high C when button A is pressed for 1 beat.
    • Example Code:
  • After students have mastered this code, give them a time limit to play around with creating their song with varying beat limits.
  • Introduce students to using comments in the code, this allows students to describe choices made or identify specific sections of code for a later purpose:
    • Example Code with Comments:
  • This chart is helpful for knowing the timing of notes to beats: 

Extension Opportunities

  • Code an additional song to play on button “b”
  • Have band students code a piece of music they’re playing in band
  • Have each student code a different portion of the song, and synchronize their micro:bits for added difficulty
  • Student Performance: 
    • Play student holiday music pieces during your class holiday party
    • Deck the Hallways and share their music during passing periods over the intercom
    • Go micro:bit “caroling” in the office
  • Code an additional song to play on button “b”
  • Have band students code a piece of music they’re playing in band
  • Have each student code a different portion of the song, and synchronize their micro:bits for added difficulty
  • Student Performance: 
    • Play student holiday music pieces during your class holiday party
    • Deck the Hallways and share their music during passing periods over the intercom
    • Go micro:bit “caroling” in the office

Answer Keys / Exemplars

Completed Jingle Bell micro:bit make code: https://makecode.microbit.org/_JFtUYvf6fhq1

Completed Jingle Bell micro:bit make code: https://makecode.microbit.org/_JFtUYvf6fhq1

Elements of this resource were created by micro:bit Make Code, then curated by the team at Nextech.

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