This is not a question, just a share:
After many years of off-and-on use of the baggie, I have switched to using envelopes. Inspired by the need for something more environmentally friendly, I also discovered something constructive.
When the envelope is handed out after variables are briefly explained in the slide deck (following the creation of 2 post-its with values)…
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I immediately have students name the envelope as instructed in the slides, following the rules provided, but they can name it anything (everything from x to thekitchensink) then…
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I have students put their string-value post-it into the envelope
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This is the part I hope is of value… I then have students show their envelope with name to a classmate and have them guess what is stored in the variable (on the post-it). Of course students fail at guessing far more than guessing correctly.
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Finally, we discuss how to give a variable a name with meaning that describes the variable. I give a couple of examples. Then, students rename their variables and discuss choices with their partners.
It’s not a revolution, but it has taken me years of not loving baggies to make a change to something that feels more valuable. Now to just align this to the rest of the curriculum baggies/envelopes/folders, etc.