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WHAT WE'LL CREATE
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In this class, learners embark on a 4-week investigation into the beauty and fun of making computer-generated art – the lovely patterns and shapes that computers create when we give them imaginative commands. Like many coding classes this one welcomes learners who love games, but it also welcomes learners who love design, color, and animation. No previous experience with coding is necessary!

LESSON 1. SHAPES THAT MOVE WITH THE POINTER
- What is programming? What is code? What is JavaScript? What is p5.js?
- How to open and save a starter project
- How add or change commands in the starter project
- How to undo errors
- Commands that create essential shapes
- How to use numbers to change the color of shapes
- How to use the built-in variables mouseX and mouseY to make shapes follow the on-screen pointer

LESSON 2. SHAPES THAT GRADUALLY MOVE, CHANGE COLOR, AND SHRINK OR GROW
- How to create your own variables
- How to use your variables to make shapes gradually (not randomly)...
- - - move up and down
- - - change color 
- - - change size
- How to use the "if" command to make choices in code – for example, make a moving shape jump up to the top if it has reached the bottom of the drawing area
- Make a project of your own that uses variables to change motion, size, or color

LESSON 3: SHAPES THAT SPIN
- How to move shapes across the drawing area by using the translate() command
- How to spin the drawing area by using the rotate() command
- How to use variables to spin shapes at different speeds
- Designs all around us that are made by spinning (like mandalas or spirals)
- Make a project of your own by spinning 

LESSON 4: SHAPES THAT BOUNCE
- How to make shapes move back and forth, get larger and then smaller, or bounce off edges of the screen
- How to add and subtract variables
- Make a project of your own with bounces

APPROACH
Learners begin by tinkering with teacher-provided code. In a guided exploration, they make changes to the code and notice what happens. Then they collaborate with classmates, comparing results and figuring out together how the code works. New concepts and commands are added in small steps, with plenty of concrete examples and time for invention. Gradually, students write commands independently. 

Class sizes are small so that I can work with individual students, finding each student's strengths and proposing questions or challenges that build on them. In addition, I provide supplementary written or video materials for students who move a little faster than the class.

This class is intended both for students with no experience in text-based coding (writing commands instead of dragging blocks) and also for students who've written short scripts in Roblox or Minecraft or who have completed tutorials and video lessons online. However, for more advanced students who already write code independently in p5.js, JavaScript, or another language, please contact me to arrange a more appropriate learning experience.