Intro Micro:bit activity: Animated Micro:bit Characters by Diane Horvath https://padlet.com/medfieldpublicschools/microbitcharacter Use the Micro:bit's LED Display to create animated expressions. (1 40 min class period- you could take more time to get super creative with the character piece) en-us 2021-09-22 13:34:37 UTC 2026-07-22 00:50:04 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.net/icons/png/1f62c.png Start Here: Introducing the Micro:bit Computational Characters dhorvath10 https://padlet.com/medfieldpublicschools/microbitcharacter/wish/1760055897 This is typically the first lesson used for introducing the micro:bit and show this video discussing what do you think the micro:bit can do?

Idea: Create a character where it shows different expressions using the LED display as the mouth.
Show: the short video clip on the website.
Discuss: What do you notice in the example?
How will you use the Micro:bit to create the animation?

]]> 2021-09-22 13:40:33 UTC https://padlet.com/medfieldpublicschools/microbitcharacter/wish/1760055897 Step 2: LED Planner dhorvath10 https://padlet.com/medfieldpublicschools/microbitcharacter/wish/1760065339 Pass out a printed copy of the LED planner.
  • Discuss how each set of circles represents the  5x5 LED display on the micro:bit. 
  • Color in the circles to show a mouth closed like in the example. 
  • In the next set of circles, color in the circles to show a mouth open.
  • Draw a box around both and label it: Talking

Talk about other expressions you would show with a sequence of two displays so it will look animated. Don't forget to draw a box around both and label the expression.

** or you could keep it really simple and have the students draw 3-4 images to create an animation for their mouth especially if you're only having them programmed with the forever block.
]]> 2021-09-22 13:43:33 UTC https://padlet.com/medfieldpublicschools/microbitcharacter/wish/1760065339 Step 3: Code it! dhorvath10 https://padlet.com/medfieldpublicschools/microbitcharacter/wish/1760080104 Go to Makecode.microbit.org
  • Start a new project. Name it Micro:bit Character or Faces -- give an overview of the makecode coding editor- simulator, coding blocks- (color coded, categorized, how to put on the workspace & delete)
  • We started with the FOREVER block and deleted On Start.
  • Discussed the purpose of the FOREVER block and how to build their images to run in a sequence and added pause blocks to control the speed.
  • Students should follow their images from their planner.
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You could add-on and decide to use different inputs for different outputs.  (Inputs: Buttons, Shake, Touch Logo, Sound, etc.) and have students add that to their planner.

]]> 2021-09-22 13:47:59 UTC https://padlet.com/medfieldpublicschools/microbitcharacter/wish/1760080104 Flash to the Micro:bit dhorvath10 https://padlet.com/medfieldpublicschools/microbitcharacter/wish/1760087541 2021-09-22 13:49:59 UTC https://padlet.com/medfieldpublicschools/microbitcharacter/wish/1760087541 Make the Character dhorvath10 https://padlet.com/medfieldpublicschools/microbitcharacter/wish/1760172272 Materials: Plain White Paper, Scissors, Markers, Scotch Tape, paper clips or wire.
** Wax paper or any translucent materials work.
** Acrylic paint pens worked will with wax paper.

Make:  The face will tape directly over the micro:bit. Draw the eyes, nose and leave the mouth blank. This is where the LED display will shine through! Add other parts like arms, body, etc. and attach with paper clip or wire through the edge pins on the micro:bit.

** You can choose to make the character first or code first. It's up to your work flow.  ]]> 2021-09-22 14:15:07 UTC https://padlet.com/medfieldpublicschools/microbitcharacter/wish/1760172272 Step 6: Share/Showcase dhorvath10 https://padlet.com/medfieldpublicschools/microbitcharacter/wish/1760201171 2021-09-22 14:23:33 UTC https://padlet.com/medfieldpublicschools/microbitcharacter/wish/1760201171 Showcase dhorvath10 https://padlet.com/medfieldpublicschools/microbitcharacter/wish/1760214018 This student opted for a beating heart instead.]]> 2021-09-22 14:27:31 UTC https://padlet.com/medfieldpublicschools/microbitcharacter/wish/1760214018 Example: LED Planning Sheet dhorvath10 https://padlet.com/medfieldpublicschools/microbitcharacter/wish/1760214739 2021-09-22 14:27:44 UTC https://padlet.com/medfieldpublicschools/microbitcharacter/wish/1760214739 Showcase dhorvath10 https://padlet.com/medfieldpublicschools/microbitcharacter/wish/1760216043 2021-09-22 14:28:08 UTC https://padlet.com/medfieldpublicschools/microbitcharacter/wish/1760216043 Student Examples dhorvath10 https://padlet.com/medfieldpublicschools/microbitcharacter/wish/1884923533 2021-11-11 19:07:25 UTC https://padlet.com/medfieldpublicschools/microbitcharacter/wish/1884923533 Showcase dhorvath10 https://padlet.com/medfieldpublicschools/microbitcharacter/wish/2249456607 2022-07-25 19:57:44 UTC https://padlet.com/medfieldpublicschools/microbitcharacter/wish/2249456607 Snowman dhorvath10 https://padlet.com/medfieldpublicschools/microbitcharacter/wish/2529188210 2023-03-23 16:59:29 UTC https://padlet.com/medfieldpublicschools/microbitcharacter/wish/2529188210 Think Spring dhorvath10 https://padlet.com/medfieldpublicschools/microbitcharacter/wish/2529189593 2023-03-23 17:00:29 UTC https://padlet.com/medfieldpublicschools/microbitcharacter/wish/2529189593 Spring Theme dhorvath10 https://padlet.com/medfieldpublicschools/microbitcharacter/wish/2529285062 Started by naming Spring animals and plants. Everyone choose one to create for their characters. Use wax bags and acrylic marker (10-15 minutes) to draw - keeping in mind that the image should fill the picture frame and is large enough for the micro:bit's LED display to show the animated expressions. ]]> 2023-03-23 18:07:47 UTC https://padlet.com/medfieldpublicschools/microbitcharacter/wish/2529285062 dhorvath10 https://padlet.com/medfieldpublicschools/microbitcharacter/wish/3597559070 2025-09-22 13:08:57 UTC https://padlet.com/medfieldpublicschools/microbitcharacter/wish/3597559070 dhorvath10 https://padlet.com/medfieldpublicschools/microbitcharacter/wish/3597560717 2025-09-22 13:09:41 UTC https://padlet.com/medfieldpublicschools/microbitcharacter/wish/3597560717 dhorvath10 https://padlet.com/medfieldpublicschools/microbitcharacter/wish/3597563854 2025-09-22 13:11:10 UTC https://padlet.com/medfieldpublicschools/microbitcharacter/wish/3597563854