Avatar Maker · Lesson 1
Lesson 1: Making Avatars for the Dataverse
Students enter the Dataverse, learn how personal information becomes data, and build a paper avatar from their name and interests.
Overview
Students enter the Dataverse to begin their Data Adventure by exploring how personal information—such as name length and preferences—can be transformed into visual elements of a custom avatar. Through play and reflection, students learn how data represents parts of who they are, setting the foundation for future lessons that explore patterns, representation, and meaning making.
Student Objectives
I can…
- ✓ I can describe what a Data Adventure is.
- ✓ I can turn my name and interests into data.
- ✓ I can create a Data Case Card (avatar) to represent my data.
At a Glance
Total: 45 minutes| Section | Time | Slides | What happens |
|---|---|---|---|
| Welcome & Grounding | 6 min | 2–11 | Introduce the idea of a Data Adventure and explain that students will create a visual representation of themselves using data. Go over the agenda and establish or remind students of the shared class agreements for collaboration and curiosity. |
| Connector: Would You Rather – Gaming Edition | 5 min | 12–17 | Play a quick Would You Rather game to help students share preferences and realize that their opinions and choices are a form of data. Select the slides that align to your students' interests, or make your own. This activity connects personal experience to data thinking. |
| Example of How to Build an Avatar | 10 min | 18–22 | Students practice completing a Data Case Card for a sample character, exploring how names and attributes translate into visual data. Discuss what information might be revealed or hidden in these representations. |
| Build an Avatar | 20 min | 23–26 | Students complete their own Data Case Card, then use it to assemble parts, build, glue, and decorate a personal avatar on the Avatar Build Card. They also record their avatar data in the Avatar Data Collection Google Form for later lessons. |
| Reflection & Closing | 4 min | 27 | Individuals turn and talk, or this can be given as a final reflection. |
Materials & Prep
- Data Case Card · 1 per studentPrint two per page, single-sided, then cut in half.
- Avatar Build Card · 1 per studentPrint two per page, single-sided, then cut in half.
Gather
- Avatar Maker Stencil SetOne class set. Tip — prepare materials in a bag or bin for easy distribution.
- Printable stickers
- Googly eyes
- Glue sticks
Digital
- Avatar Data Collection Google FormMakes a copy you can share with students.
Before You Teach
- ☐Create your own avatar example to model for students.
- ☐Decide how materials will be distributed (stations or packets).
- ☐Hang up the Data Habits of Mind Poster.
Open slide deck to project launches the fullscreen slideshow in a new tab. Open with speaker notes opens the deck in Google Slides with the speaker-notes pane below each slide — read these to prep, or open presenter view while projecting. The preview above is just a quick look.