Outdoor Chalk Stations

This is a variety of station activities that can all be accomplished outside using chalk and open sidewalks, parking spaces, basketball courts, etc.

Use these activities to practice computational thinking skills and enjoy a great day outside.

Grade Levels: 6 - 12
Subject Matter: Algorithms
Concepts: Data and Information
Standards: 6-8.DI.1
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Materials

Tips for Running Activity

  • Create different outdoor stations of activities predrawn on the ground. Have students circulate from station to station. If you have more than one class of students using the chalk stations consider having students write their answer on a sheet of paper.
  • Station Options:
    1. Station 1: Grid Problems – Consider phrasing your questions similar to Kaitlyn Siu’s below. This gives the students the awareness that there are multiple correct answers.
    2. Station 2: Flowchart Hopscotch, write an algorithm to get through the Hopscotch game. For older students, mix up the numbers with binary!
    3. Station 3: Data Patterns, write out a data pattern that allows for students to figure out what comes next.
    4. Station 4: Playground Games Flowchart Algorithm, write out one of these different flow charts and have students try to figure out what playground game it describes OR try Flow Chart Hopscotch – Test Student’s flow chart knowledge with a fun and interactive flow chart.
    5. Station 5: Code Sequences – Write out code sequences that make a shape and have students guess what shape is created.
  • For additional Stations repeat any of the previous stations at a higher level of difficulty to challenge students.
  • Create different outdoor stations of activities predrawn on the ground. Have students circulate from station to station. If you have more than one class of students using the chalk stations consider having students write their answer on a sheet of paper.
  • Station Options:
    1. Station 1: Grid Problems – Consider phrasing your questions similar to Kaitlyn Siu’s below. This gives the students the awareness that there are multiple correct answers.
    2. Station 2: Flowchart Hopscotch, write an algorithm to get through the Hopscotch game. For older students, mix up the numbers with binary!
    3. Station 3: Data Patterns, write out a data pattern that allows for students to figure out what comes next.
    4. Station 4: Playground Games Flowchart Algorithm, write out one of these different flow charts and have students try to figure out what playground game it describes OR try Flow Chart Hopscotch – Test Student’s flow chart knowledge with a fun and interactive flow chart.
    5. Station 5: Code Sequences – Write out code sequences that make a shape and have students guess what shape is created.
  • For additional Stations repeat any of the previous stations at a higher level of difficulty to challenge students.

Assessment Opportunities

Have students create their own problems or do a gallery walk of the only wrong answers and have students debug the answers on paper for an assessment.

Have students create their own problems or do a gallery walk of the only wrong answers and have students debug the answers on paper for an assessment.

Extension Opportunities

Consider using one of these games in place of a grid problem:

  • Hop Scotch
  • Chalk Twister
  • Four Square
  • Target Toss
  • Chalk Maze
  • Obstacle Course
  • Outdoor Sports Edition (Kickball, frisbee, etc.)

Consider using one of these games in place of a grid problem:

  • Hop Scotch
  • Chalk Twister
  • Four Square
  • Target Toss
  • Chalk Maze
  • Obstacle Course
  • Outdoor Sports Edition (Kickball, frisbee, etc.)

Elements of this resource were created by Teaching London Computing, Code-It, and Teach Your Kids Code, then curated by the team at Nextech.

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