Warm-up:

Show a simple ''Hello World' print statement, in Python. Ask learners what they think this would do. Ask if they can think of a command in MartyBlocks that would end in the same result. Ask which they prefer to use? Familiarity might suggest MartyBlocks. Show a line of Python, that won't necessarily be understood but can be used to show how long it takes to write code. Repeat this in MartyBlocks showing how long it can take to 'write' code. Talk about the reasons why a person might choose Python over MartyBlocks: time, versatility, portability, etc. (Have a video of someone using / talking about python.)

Get Learning:

Take time to go over the presentation, particularly the slide showing the MartyBlocks and Python text , and talk about the print outs with MartyBlocks and Python code. Share with the learners a task to guide Marty through a maze, stipulate that only the commands on the pages they have may be used. Divide learners into groups of MartyBlocks and Python coders. Have learners work together to write commands onto paper for what they think they need for Marty to get to the goal.

As learners write each command, have them move a Marty counter on the maze.

Once learners have reached the goal, have them compare their full instructions with another group to see if they are the same or how they were different: choice, number or order of commands. Distribute a second maze and ask learners, in the same groups, to complete it using the other language.

Once the mazes are complete, have groups discuss what was easy, difficult and interesting about navigating the mazes with the language given to their group: was one language trickier than the other? They will be sharing with the class.

Cool Down:

Ask for spokespersons from each of the groups to showcase their code and share their thoughts on the ease or challenge of using the different languages.