The Magic Story Dice
Source: Stemoto Original
Shaking the physical micro:bit acts as a digital dice roll that triggers a Scratch program to display three random visual elements on a projector (e.g., a forest, a bear, a bicycle). The student then orally constructs a 3-sentence story linking the visuals.
Categorisation
Props & Materials Required
- •micro:bit
- •Computer with Scratch or MakeCode
- •Projector or large screen
- •Library of simple images (animals, places, objects)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Build the Image Library
In Scratch, create a collection of simple sprite images organized into three categories: Characters (bear, astronaut, princess), Places (forest, moon, kitchen), and Objects (bicycle, umbrella, crown).
Program the Dice
Program the micro:bit: when shaken → send a radio signal to the computer. In Scratch, when the signal is received → randomly pick one image from each category and display all three on screen.
Shake and See
The child shakes the micro:bit like a magic dice. Three random images appear on the projector — for example: a Bear, a Moon, and an Umbrella.
Tell the Story
The child must create a 3-sentence story linking all three images: 'Once upon a time, a Bear walked to the Moon. It was raining on the Moon, so the Bear needed an Umbrella. The Bear danced in the rain and went home happy!'
Challenge Mode
Add a timer — the child has 30 seconds to create their story. Or add a fourth image for harder combinations. Other children vote on the funniest or most creative story!
Why It Works & Notes
This project encourages spontaneous oral expression, imagination, and visual literacy. The physical shake gesture makes the randomization feel magical, while the story-building exercise develops narrative skills and vocabulary in a pressure-free, playful environment.
NEP Alignment: Encourages spontaneous oral expression, imagination, and visual literacy. Curriculum Mapping: Language (Picture Reading, Vocabulary, Sentence Building). Target Level: Class 1 & 2.