# Unit 4 Lesson 1 - Introducing Variables with envelopes instead of baggies **URL:** \ **Category:** Unit and Lesson Discussion\ **Created:** [November 4, 2025, 6:16pm UTC](https://forum.code.org/t/unit-4-lesson-1-introducing-variables-with-envelopes-instead-of-baggies/41510 "2025-11-04T18:16:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 1\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![cmcgowan](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.code.org/cmcgowan/32/8202_2.png) [@cmcgowan](https://forum.code.org/u/cmcgowan)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2025, 6:16pm UTC](https://forum.code.org/t/unit-4-lesson-1-introducing-variables-with-envelopes-instead-of-baggies/41510/1 "2025-11-04T18:16:04Z")
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)… - 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… - I have students put their string-value post-it into the envelope - 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. - 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.