Scratch

coolperson wrote:

remixes

This has nothing to do with the topic and don't spam.

DawnLight wrote:

coolperson wrote:

remixes

This has nothing to do with the topic and don't spam.

He means they could remix them, I think.

it looked like somebody was confused about what i was saying. get some games that could be inproved or tinkered with, and have them do that.

rivendell wrote:

I've taught a week-long (5-6 hours a day) Scratch class the past few summers, as well as a program like yours (8 hours, twice a week for 4 weeks) this past winter.  Here is the outline I follow:

* Introduce the Scratch interface parts (blocks, scripts/costumes area, drawing area, sprite area) as well as the coordinate system.  Have them do simple "move a sprite around the screen" program, using keys and/or mouse.

* Have them go through the simple Scratch cards (changing effects, changing costumes, moving etc.).  One card per kid, give them 15min to do the code, then rotate cards.

* Introduce various programming concepts and have them do a very simple program that utilizes this concept.  Examples:

  - Loops:  make the cat count from 1 to 10.
  - Pen & Stamps:  make the cat draw a line and/or stamp lots of cats
  - Broadcast messages:  click on one sprite, and another sprite says something

This gives them the basic usage of various Scratch features/programming concepts, in a quick way.  Intro one, maybe two concepts each class.  Then leave them at least 20-30 minutes to work on their own project that will be complete at the end of the session.  Encourage them to look at/download other projects from the web site to see how somebody else did something they think is cool (and possibly "remix" it).

Sounds like a hard base for learning the basics of scratch. I like the teaching plan!