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"An Unexpected Friend"
Episode 3 ・ Snowy Slopes
Get Ready!
Part 1
Last time on
The Rewriters!
Waking up in the dark caves of
Null Point, Sol tinkered to learn
about new state blocks...
Luna
...and narrowly escaped before
the exit caved in!
Luna
A diamond from the cave unlocked a
new memory, which suggested that someone
may have trapped Sol on purpose...
Luna
Starting out on their journey for answers,
Sol follows a set of footprints left in
the snow...
Luna
Our story continues...
...It looks like the footprints
disappear up ahead.
Sol
I don't see anyone around though...
Sol
Hm? What's this fluffy thing
stuck in the snow?
Sol
WOAH!
Sol
???
EEK! A human?? W-who are you??
My name’s Sol, but I don’t know much
more than that...what’s your name?
Sol
M-my name's Zorro...I'm an arctic fox.
Zorro
Zorro, huh? That name doesn’t ring a bell, but...Zorro, have you ever seen me before?
Sol
Zorro
Huh? N-no!! I haven’t seen anyone else
here in Snowy Slopes for ages!
Zorro
With all these problems popping up
everywhere, it’s hard to travel from
place to place.
Zorro
...So how did you even get here, Sol?
Well, I came from those caves up the mountain...I saw a lot of problems
over there, too.
Sol
I almost got stuck in there, but I
managed to solve the problems and escape
by rewriting the rules.
Sol
You...what?! You’re a REWRITER?!?!
I thought there were none left...!
Zorro
Sol
Hm? Y-yeah, I’m definitely
a Rewriter...is that weird?
No, no, not at all! It’s just...there
aren't many Rewriters in this world.
Zorro
Zorro
Most are like me — I can read the rules,
but can’t change anything. That’s why I’ve
been stuck here for a while...
You’re stuck? Where are you trying to go?
Sol
I was traveling to my home at the
bottom of the mountain, but got
trapped in this problem...
Zorro
Zorro
...Since I can’t rewrite,
there’s nothing I can do.
Sol
Are you sure...? There must be something we
can do to get you out of here. Something you haven’t tried yet.
I don't know...well, you can take a
look if you want. Here's the problem...
Zorro
See, look at all of this!
I don't even know where to start...
Zorro
Hm...the first step to solving a problem
is understanding it, so let me look around.
Sol
Sol
I notice 2 state blocks I don't recognize:
HOT and MELT. Zorro, do you know anything
about them?
M-me? Um, I think HOT and MELT work as a
pair somehow. Sorry, that's all I know...
Zorro
That's helpful, Zorro! Is there anything else you've noticed about this problem?
Sol
Zorro
Well...I'm not sure if any of this is useful, but yes, I've noticed a few things...
Zorro
The first thing I noticed when I got here
is that the lava is really orange!
Zorro
Next, I noticed that there's a LOT of snow!
Zorro
I also noticed the rule up top
that says ROCK IS DEFEAT...
Zorro
And finally...I noticed that the
lava looks too scary to walk on!
Sol
Hmm...oh! I think one of your
observations just now is really
useful for solving this problem.
Really...? Which one?
Zorro
Sol
Let me tinker with this problem first
to see if I'm understanding things correctly. Then I'll tell you!
Explore!
Part 2
Think about
this question while you play...
In problem 1, which of Zorro's observations is the most useful?
- The lava is orange
- There's a lot of snow
- There's a rule for ROCK IS DEFEAT
- Walking on lava seems scary
Be ready to vote then discuss
why after time is up!
Vote before Discussing
Responses
Polling...
Which of Zorro's observations
is the most useful?
The lava is orange
1
There's a lot of snow
2
There's a rule
for ROCK IS DEFEAT
3
Walking on lava
seems scary
4
The lava is orange
1
There's a lot of snow
2
There's a rule
for ROCK IS DEFEAT
3
Walking on lava
seems scary
4
Which of Zorro's observations
is the most useful?
Let's Pair Share!
Which of Zorro's observations
is the most useful?
Let's Pair Share!
The lava is orange
1
There's a lot of snow
2
There's a rule
for ROCK IS DEFEAT
3
Walking on lava
seems scary
4
Learn!
Part 3
Time for a Video!
Let’s make sure volume is turned up and everyone can see before going to the next slide.
...Alright, I think I understand
what's going on here.
Sol
Sol
And it's thanks to you, Zorro!
You noticed the rule ROCK IS DEFEAT.
Zorro
So that was the most useful observation? Why?
Sol
To put it simply...your other
observations weren't related to rules.
Sol
In this world, everything goes by
the rules, right? Knowing them will help
us decide what to do next!
Sol
For this problem, knowing that
ROCK IS DEFEAT helped me decide
how to use HOT and MELT!
Sol
At first, I was scared to walk on the
lava — just like you were, Zorro. But I
had to at least try it...
Sol
And when I did, I was totally fine! That's because there are no rules for the lava.
Sol
Then I realized — since ROCK IS DEFEAT,
the rocks are what we need to get rid of here. Not the lava.
Zorro
...I see! I had just been assuming the
lava was dangerous, instead of looking at
the rules.
Zorro
So to get rid of the rocks...are you going
to use the HOT and MELT blocks somehow?
Sol
Yes! Maybe we can destroy the rocks by
making the rule ROCK IS MELT. Let me try...
Sol
Nothing happened...oh! Zorro, you said
earlier that HOT and MELT work as a pair...
Sol
So maybe we need to use the HOT block,
too! Let's try making LAVA IS HOT and see
what happens...
Zorro
Woah! All the rocks just melted away!
Zorro
The lava is still there though...
can we cross it safely now that it's HOT?
Sol
From what we just tried, I think that HOT objects can only destroy MELT objects.
Sol
There's no rule that says we're MELT,
so we should be fine...but let's try it!
Sol
Yep, I'm all good! Come on, Zorro!
Wow...you're right! Maybe solving
problems isn't as scary as I thought...
Zorro
Yeah, especially with a friend! Thanks for helping me understand this problem, Zorro!
Sol
Huh?! O-of course! Wow, you're
my first friend besides Piney...!
Zorro
Piney?
Sol
Oh, um...Piney is my friend!
We talk about problems sometimes...
Zorro
Really? Is Piney around here somewhere?
Sol
Y-yeah...right here...
Zorro
...A pinecone?
Sol
It’s silly, I know...but when I feel confused or scared, I talk about my
problems with Piney to stay calm.
Zorro
...I don’t think it’s silly at all.
Nice to meet you, Piney!
Sol
...
Piney
Zorro
Hey...I think Piney likes you!
I think we’ll get along great! Zorro and
Piney, the two of you just reminded me...
Sol
- Understand the problem
- Plan a solution
- Try the solution
- Reflect on the solution
My scroll says that understanding
a problem is the first step to solving it.
Sol
Problem-Solving Steps
So, what do you two usually talk
about to understand problems?
Sol
Hm...I usually ask Piney,
"What do you notice about this problem?".
Then I'll start making observations, too...
Zorro
But then I remember I can't rewrite... so I
end up asking, "Is any of this even useful?"
Zorro
But your observations have
already helped me, Zorro.
Sol
In fact, I think asking, "What do I notice and what could be useful?" is a great way to start a problem!
Sol
I'll write that question on my
scroll so I don't forget it!
Sol
1. Understand the problem
- What do I notice and what could be useful?
2. Plan a solution
Problem-Solving Steps
Now let's ask Piney that question
to understand the rest of this problem!
Sol
O-okay, I'll try...
Zorro
This time, I won't assume anything about
the objects...now I know it's more useful
to focus on the rules!
Zorro
What do you notice and what could be useful?
Let's Discuss! (2 mins)
Time for a Video!
Let’s make sure volume is turned up and everyone can see before going to the next slide.
Sol
Speaking of focusing on the rules...we can use my Inspector to help us do that! Here Zorro, try it!
Woah, cool! Okay, let's take a look...
Zorro
The first thing Piney noticed here
is the rule HEART IS WIN.
Zorro
That means we need to touch the heart to continue down the mountain. Good to know!
Sol
Zorro
The next thing Piney noticed is that
FIRE IS HOT and SNOWBUNNY IS DEFEAT.
Zorro
The next thing Piney noticed is that
FIRE IS HOT and SNOWBUNNY IS DEFEAT.
Sol
...Oh, that's really useful! We know HOT
objects won't hurt us, so the fire isn't blocking us...
Sol
But the snowbunny is blocking us since it's DEFEAT. We'll need to get past it somehow.
Zorro
I agree! The other objects in the path have
no rules — so the crystal, snowball, ice, and fossil aren't blocking us.
Zorro
I agree! The other objects in the path have
no rules — so the crystal, snowball, ice, and fossil aren't blocking us.
Zorro
I agree! The other objects in the path have
no rules — so the crystal, snowball, ice, and fossil aren't blocking us.
Zorro
I agree! The other objects in the path have
no rules — so the crystal, snowball, ice, and fossil aren't blocking us.
Zorro
I agree! The other objects in the path have
no rules — so the crystal, snowball, ice, and fossil aren't blocking us.
Alright, we've inspected all the rules and objects! Did you notice anything else?
Sol
Zorro
The last things Piney noticed are the
blocks at the top and bottom. You could make
new rules with those, Sol!
Zorro
That's definitely useful! I can make one
object PUSH with the blocks on the top...
Sol
Then I can make a different object
MELT with the blocks on the bottom!
Sol
Zorro, Piney! Are you
thinking what I'm thinking?
Zorro
I...I think so! If we make FIRE IS PUSH
and SNOWBUNNY IS MELT, we can use the fire
to get rid of the snowbunny!
Sol
Exactly! We know FIRE IS HOT, and we know
that HOT objects destroy MELT objects!
Zorro
So if we make SNOWBUNNY IS MELT...
Sol
Then FIRE IS PUSH...
Zorro
You can push the HOT fire onto
the snowbunny to melt it!
It worked! Now we can reach the WIN!
Sol
Zorro
Wow...you really did it, Sol!
So this is the power of a Rewriter...!
What do you mean, Zorro?
We did it together – you, me, and Piney!
Sol
...
Piney
Oh yeah...I guess you’re right! Thanks for encouraging me, you two!
Zorro
Of course! Now we can keep going down the mountain – come on, let’s get you home!
Sol
Keep Going!
Part 4
Keep this in mind as you play...
As you play, make observations
about problems by asking yourself:
"What do I notice and
what could be useful?"
Some useful things to notice are:
- Rules that are already
in the problem - New rules you could make with the blocks in the problem
Keep this in mind as you play...
Focus on rules
See a reminder of how a state block works
Keep this in mind as you play...
Sol's friends will ask you
questions during your journey.
Try to help them out by
answering correctly!
Check In!
Part 5
Whew, that was a lot of problems – but we finally made it!
Sol
Yes!! We’re home, Piney!
Safe and sound!
Zorro
Thank you so much, Sol...not only did
you help me get home, you taught me a
lot about rewriting too!
Zorro
I thought I’d be stuck in those
difficult problems forever – that there
was nothing I could do...
Zorro
But now I see that problems aren’t so scary
once I take the time to understand them.
Zorro
I’m glad, Zorro! To be honest, I was a
little scared of going down this mountain
on my own...
Sol
So hearing you ask questions and
talk out loud...it helped me stay calm
and think these problems through.
Sol
Thank you, Zorro. And you, Piney!
Sol
As they worked together to get down the mountain,
Sol showed Zorro how to have courage and try things,
while Zorro helped Sol understand problems.
Describe a time a friend helped you learn something.
Let's Discuss! (2 mins)
Alright Zorro! I know you’ve missed your
home, so...I’ll get going now...
Sol
W-wait, Sol!
Zorro
It’s true, all I wanted at
first was to go home...
Zorro
But...I had so much fun solving problems
with you! And now that I’ve seen how
rewriting works, I want to learn more!
Zorro
So...can I, uh, join you? Maybe I can
help you find more of your lost memories!
Zorro
Zorro...of course you can!
I’ll feel a lot better traveling with you!
Sol
Yay, I’m so excited!! As a thank you...
Zorro
Here, you can carry Piney!
Zorro
Really? Are you sure??
Sol
Yep! Piney’s always helped me,
so...maybe it can help you too!
Zorro
Plus, we’re friends now, right?
And friends share things!
Zorro
Yeah, we are! Thank you, Zorro.
I'll treasure Piney!
Sol
...
Piney
Hm? I feel a strange power
coming from Piney...
Sol (Thinking)
Staring into Piney’s eyes, Sol hears a kind voice...
Here you go, Sol! ...I know, this is my
favorite toy, but...I want you to have it. I have the most fun with you, after all!
???
Woah! Another memory! I didn’t recognize
this voice, either...
Sol
Are you okay, Sol?? What did you remember?
Zorro
Yeah, I’m fine. It seems like I had
another friend back then who used to
share things with me...
Sol
Oh, that’s great!
Maybe we can find them later!
Zorro
...Yeah! Maybe once we’re off the mountain—
Sol
.....help.....
???
Uh...did you say something, Zorro?
Sol
...help...me...
???
EEK! That wasn’t me...I think it’s
coming from those ruins over there!
Zorro
What?? Let’s hurry there, then!
Someone could be in danger!
Sol
Right! Follow me, Sol!
Zorro
Until next time...
Spring Launch: Lesson 3
By sophiekansmith
Spring Launch: Lesson 3
Lesson 3: Snowy Slopes
