Grades 3-8: Coding Beginners (Virtual)
Kids will learn everything they need to know to code their very own game: character development, storyboarding, animation, environment and level design, beta testing and, of course, coding.
Our beginner coding classes are designed to prepare kids for text-based coding languages like Python, Javascript and C++ by teaching them the foundations of code in Scratch, a program that is accessible to all learning styles. Scratch is a video game design platform made by MIT to help kids learn to code. It uses color-coded blocks that fit together like puzzle pieces to make the coding experience more visual. By making a new Scratch project every class, we are using active learning to teach your kids how to logically solve problems and consider every step of the design process.
By the time they are ready to move on to our experienced coding classes, our beginner Makers will know how to problem solve basic computer issues, design a variety of game styles and, most importantly, they will be able to use logic to make their creative ideas a reality!
Scratch is a programming language developed by MIT designed to give kids a fun and easy intro to coding along with an open and friendly community. With Scratch kids can use code blocks to address colourful and fun characters on a stage, but it is most definitely an actual programming language and not simply a game or animated story development environment. This means that programming concepts must always be at the forefront and very rarely can fundamental gameplay functionality (say for example gravity) just be turned on and not manually coded.
Scratch has a kid friendly interface which students will quickly learn to navigate through. After thorough introduction to events, loops, and conditional “if” statements the beginner section focuses on programming different types of motion using XY coordinates. We will even begin to prepare them for more advanced coding and math concepts such as variables, functions and lists with projects designed to showcase one major concept using pre-built elements. Throughout this, the huge volume of image resources and “looks” modifying coding options included allows for tons of artistic customization and even frame-by-frame animation!
Many of the jobs of the future will require coding skills, so by the time your child graduates high school, coding will become an essential skill required for their career success. Introduce your child to coding to set them up for success.