Learning to Code

Learning Objectives

• Understand the basics of game design.

Introduction to Game Design in Games For Change

• Learn how to use sprites, scoring, and player controls.
• Build a simple game using Scratch or Blockly.

Topics Covered

1. What makes a good game?

• Simple mechanics.
• Clear objectives.

2. Game design components

• Sprites and backgrounds.
• Player controls and scoring.

3. Coding a simple game

• Combining previous concepts (loops, conditionals, events, variables).

Lesson Components

1. Discussion: What is a Game?

• Students discuss their favorite games and identify what makes them fun.

2. Game Components Overview

• Introduce sprites, backgrounds, and scoring systems.
• Explain how to create controls (e.g., arrow keys to move a character).

3. Hands-on Activity

• Students build a simple game (e.g., a maze game where a character collect items).
• Add scoring and end-of-game conditions (e.g., “Game Over” screen).

4. Showcase and Play

• Students share and play each other’s games.
• Reflect on the challenges and fun of game design.

Learning Objectives

• Design and code a simple interactive story.
• Learn how to use events to trigger actions.
• Develop storytelling skills through coding.

Topics Covered

1. Using events to control interactions.
2. Combining sequences, loops, and conditionals.
3. Creating dialogue and animations.

Building Interactive Stories with Python on 98th Percentile

Lesson Components

1. Warm-Up Activity

• Students brainstorm their favorite stories and think about how they could be interactive.

2. Event-Based Programming

• Explain events (e.g., “when this happens, do this”).
• Demonstrate how to use events in Scratch or Blockly to make a character move or speak.

3. Hands-on Activity

• Students create an interactive story with at least two characters.

How to Use Scratch to Make a Story in iD Tech

• Use loops and conditionals to make the story dynamic (e.g., “If the character clicks the door, it opens”).

4. Sharing and Feedback

• Students present their stories.
• Peer feedback to encourage creativity and improvement.

Learning Objectives

• Understand and apply basic coding concepts: loops, conditionals, and variables.
• Identify how these concepts are used in coding.
• Write a program using loops and conditionals in a visual coding tool.

Topics Covered

1. Loops: Repeating actions.
2. Conditionals: Making decisions.
3. Variables: Storing information.

Lesson Components

1. Review

• Briefly recap Lesson 1.

2. Concept Exploration

• Explain and demonstrate loops (e.g., “repeat until”), conditionals (e.g., “if/else”), and variables.
• Relate concepts to real-life examples (e.g., loops = repeating chores, conditionals = decisions based on weather).

3. Hands-on Activity

• Use Scratch or Blockly to create a project with a loop (e.g., a bouncing ball).
• Add conditionals to make decisions (e.g., changing color when touching the edge).

Step by Step Guide to Scratch #1 

Step by Step Guide to Scratch #2 

4. Challenge Task

• Students customize their project by adding variables (e.g., a score counter).

5. Reflection and Sharing

• Share projects with the class.

• Reflect on how these concepts apply to games or apps they use.

Learning Objectives

• Understand what coding is and why it is important.
• Identify everyday examples of coding in action.
• Learn about basic programming concepts (commands, sequences, and algorithms).
• Write a simple program using a visual coding tool (e.g., Scratch or Blockly).

Topics Covered:

1. What is coding?

• Definition and purpose.
• Examples of coding in daily life (e.g., apps, websites, robots).

2. The basics of algorithms

• What are algorithms?
• Writing simple step-by-step instructions.

 Algorithms for Kids in Create & Learn

3. Introduction to visual coding tools.

• Overview of Scratch or Blockly.
• Understanding the workspace and interface.

Lesson Components

1. Icebreaker Activity

• Discuss how computers and apps work, emphasizing how coding powers them.
• Students share examples of technology they use every day.

2. Interactive Discussion: Coding & Algorithms

• Students write simple “code” for a real-life task (e.g., brushing teeth).
• Introduce the concept of step-by-step instructions.

3. Hands-on Activity

• Use Scratch or Blockly to create a simple animation (e.g., moving a character across the screen).

4. Wrap-Up and Reflection

• Review what was learned.
• Students share what they created.