Coding Scratch Full Semester Series - Introduction to Scratch: Coding & Gaming

This is a 16-Week Semester Series. Classes will meet ONCE every week through the course of the curriculum.

Students will embark on an exciting journey into the world of coding and computational thinking through Scratch programming. They will dive into the art of crafting interactive stories, games, and animations, all while honing their problem-solving prowess and logical reasoning abilities. Throughout the course, students will gain a foundational understanding of game design concepts, create their own basic games using Scratch, and delve into the captivating realms of user interaction and game mechanics. It is an immersive learning experience that nurtures creativity and empowers students with essential coding skills.

1:1 Private class option: The curriculum below provides a structured framework. It can be adapted to suit the needs and interests of the students for individualized portfolio development.

SCHEDULE

Week 1: Introduction to Scratch
• Introduction to the Scratch platform and its interface.
• Basic concepts: sprites, costumes, backdrops, and scripts.
• Basics of creating, saving, and sharing Scratch projects.

Week 2-3: Creating Simple Animations
• Creating animated stories using sprites and backdrops.
• Introduction to movement and animation blocks.
• Building simple interactive narratives.

Week 4-5: Art and Sound in Scratch
• Incorporating art and sound elements into projects.
• Introduction to the Paint Editor and Sound Editor in Scratch.

Week 6-7: Game Design Basics
• Introduction to game design concepts.
• Creating basic games using Scratch.
• Exploring user interaction and game mechanics.

Week 8-9: Conditionals and Control Structures
• Understanding conditional statements (if-then-else).
• Implementing control structures in Scratch projects.
• Building decision-making logic.

Week 10-11: Variables and Data Handling
• Introduction to variables and their use in programming.
• Storing and manipulating data in Scratch.
• Creating dynamic projects with variables.

Week 12-13: Projects from Scratch
• Combining game design with storytelling.
• Instructing the player directly and passively.
• Story-boarding for game design and how to design coding structures.

Week 14-15: Project-Based Learning
• Students work on individual projects.
• Emphasis on creativity and problem-solving.
• Instructor guidance and feedback.

Week 16: Final Projects Presentation
• Students present their final Scratch projects.
• Post discussion on computational thinking concepts.
• Reflection on problem-solving skills developed during the course.

Students can use what they learned throughout the course in games and animation, starting with Scratch and then later in complex programs. Students will discover how to apply previous Scratch knowledge and basic understanding of animation to longer and more complex projects.

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Please read below for frequently-asked questions on our policies:

Mandatory Video Check-In
Video check-in is mandatory for safety purposes per Outschool policy. Students are required to have their cameras on to allow the teacher to check in and verify each learner. After check-in, students have the option of either turning off their camera or leaving it on, whatever is their preference.

Refunds & Missed Classes
All of our classes are backed by Outschool’s standard policy. To receive a full refund, parents may withdraw or stop their subscription within 24 hours of payment OR 24 hours before class starts, whichever occurs earlier. No refunds are issued if a learner misses a live meeting. Recordings are made available in each classroom and can be watched at their convenience. Students are always welcome to reach out with any questions and share their work in the classroom.

Class Recording Access
Learners must JOIN A LIVE CLASS ONCE in order to lift Outschool's safety protocol and unlock access to video recordings of class meetings. Learners who have not attended a live class but need access to the recordings must contact verification@outschool.com to apply for a lifetime verification badge. 
Learn more about this by going to: https://support.outschool.com/en/articles/4063624-learner-verification

Late/ Missed Class
All classes will begin on time as long as one learner is in the classroom. In the event that no students are in the classroom at the assigned class time, the teacher will leave a message in the classroom and exit after ten minutes of waiting per Outschool policy.

Minimum Enrollment & Class Cancellation
A minimum of two learners is required for every class to run. In the event that we have to cancel a class, parents will be notified within 24 hours of class. Learners will have the option of either transferring to a more populated section of the same class or receiving a full refund, whichever is preferred.

Technical Difficulties
In the event of class delay/ cancellations due to unforeseeable technical issues, all families will be notified and a make-up section will be posted, or a refund will be issued if a make-up class cannot be scheduled.