Coding: Beginner Python (Level 1) Creating Animations & Games

From programming designing Robot animations to interactive games (simple user interactions), the Codester software will leave your young coder excited about growing their coding skills. This class is perfect for those ready to go beyond Scratch (block coding) and learn Python coding fundamentals to make their own animations and simple games. Whether your child is new to coding or experienced in coding but new to Python, they will be able to build a strong coding foundation. 

Python is a coding language used by major social media companies and search engines. 

Class time is divided into 5-10 minutes of share & review, 20-30 minutes learning a new skill, then the remaining 20 minutes creating fun projects based on what they learned. Every class has homework which allows kids to be even more creative. This class is designed to empower student to transfer their skills beyond the teaching platform.  Our instructors also use verbal and written "check-ins" to help evaluate whether students are able to code and debug their code instead of just trial and error. Students will have an opportunity to share their work with their peers and explain their code. 

Class Overview:
- Welcome & Share
- Project Review
- Code Preview (teacher may implement a verbal group discussion or provide each student with a Google Doc for written responses) 
- Coding while learning new terminology and using new functions
- Project creation/ Code Implementation
- Final share/ remarks


*** Students must use a laptop or computer to participate in class.
*** As per Outschool policy, cameras must be on at the start of class.


***Please note:
In order to best use instruction time, students should have basic computer literacy skills and be able to engage in a private lesson without parental assistance. Parents who need to sit and assist their child in class, are welcome to visit our flex course.

Choreography by Rae's Coding Python Curriculum:
•	(Level 1)    Creating Games & Animations- building a coding foundation
•	(Level 2) Creating Games & Animations- practice foundational skills 
•	(Level 3)    Creating Games & Animations- working with user input 
•	(Level 4) Creating Games & Animations- designing a game with user input
•	(Week 5)   Creating Games & Animations-  unpredictable input
•	(Level 6) Creating Games & Animations- designing a game with unpredictable input 
•	(Level 7)    Creating Games & Animations-  storing values
•	(Level 8) Creating Games & Animations- designing a game with conditionals 
•	(Level 9)    Coding Python Advance Beginner

F.A.Q.

Student Pacing:
It is not uncommon for students to progress at a different pace. Students who are comfortable taking the instructions provided and implementing them with minimal support, are encouraged to do so. Students who are not comfortable with this, will be asked to complete each step with the teacher. It is a group class. If your child has trouble making decisions or gets very anxious when asked to make a decision, please discuss with them beforehand how they can manage their emotions ahead of time. The teacher may use a time in class to help students move forward in their projects. It will be more frustrating for the student if they "fall behind" because they struggled with decision making. Students are not asked to make their projects perfect right away. They will be reminded that cool projects take time.

*What is the Student engagement expectation?
As this is an 8 week course, it is important to the instructor that participants enrolled are willing to contribute to nurturing a social environment. At times we invite students to share their projects, comment on their peers projects, make coding recommendations, help read out loud class slides, or even play a quick warm up game. Students who want to just come to class, turn off their camera, and wait to be given some code, will not enjoy this class. We don't waste time or goof around, but we all of our social engagement activities help support each child's ability to work with others, accept feedback, and be willing to grow as a programmer. Our motto, "Social Media, wasn't built by one person. It took a lot of people, a lot of tries, a lot of mistakes, and a lot of collaboration. All of our favorite games and websites are examples of team work."

Can we skip Level 1 if my kid has already taken tons of Scratch?
No. Scratch is a block coding program that becomes more challenging based on how students assemble the coding blocks and the number of actions they add to their program. Our platform helps kids code without using blocks. We have found that many advance Scratch students require some time to adjust their approach to coding. Even if Level 1 feels like a review of things they "already know" the platform still requires creativity and imagination to create unique projects. It is your child's chance to learn something knew and to practice what they know.

What if my child has used Replit or OnlineDB?
Those who have used Replit or OnlineDB will be using the same Python coding language.  The terminology and concepts are the same, but lines of code will vary based on the coding library being used (instead of a say command, the coding library may require a print or text command). Unlike many coding programs designed for kids, we are not solely relying on a prewritten series of code from the instructor or a YouTube video; students will use be asked to write out the code, explain what the code does, and creating their own designs.

How does this differ from Scratch?
Scratch is  a block coding program that allows students to use blocks of code that have preset instructions to create games. Unlike block coding in Scratch this class encourages students to focus more on creating functions and understanding the relationship between those functions. This class teaches students how to code without relying on blocks. Students who have used block coding will welcome the challenge of being able to have more control over their program. 

Do I need to sit with my child during class?
No. We ask that parents do not join the class. Students who are too young to read independently or to use a computer independently are better off taking a Scratch course as they can focus on drag and drop skills. In some instances the teacher may message a parent asking for the parent to be available and assist in all future classes (teacher notices that the student appears to be struggling with the keyboard or understanding instructions). We fully expect learners over the age of 8 to be able to participate without parental assistance. If your child feels better having a parent or guardian in class, please take our flex course instead. It will allow you and your child to work together and prevent your child from receiving conflicting instructions during the live class setting.