Middle School Coding with Scratch

🚀 Middle School Coding with Scratch: Computational Thinking & Artistic Expression 🎨

Overview

Dive into the world of coding for young minds!

This course is tailored specifically for middle school students who are eager to embark on their first journey into the realm of computer programming. It's an ideal starter programming course that complements a robust computer science curriculum. 🎒✨

Unlike other Scratch courses, this one is designed to provide students with a foundational understanding of key programming concepts, such as algorithms, loops, variables, logic, conditionals, objects, and properties, in a manner that is both fun and enlightening. This course strikes the perfect balance between logical thinking and artistic expression, making it suitable for all types of learners—left-brained, right-brained, or somewhere in between! 🧠✏️

Course Structure

The course follows a Project-based Learning (PBL) approach. Each week is filled with hands-on projects where students apply what they've learned. While the course includes lectures and presentations, the bulk of class time is dedicated to students working independently or in groups on their computers to complete weekly assignments. 🧪💻

The culmination of this course is a capstone project, where students will design, implement, test, and debug a State Machine device of their choice—like a soda machine—using Scratch. This project not only tests their coding skills but also encourages creativity and problem-solving. 🛠️🎈

Prerequisites and Requirements

No prior programming knowledge is required! All you need is a computer with internet access to get started. This course is designed to be accessible to beginners, ensuring that any student can jump right in. 🌟💻

For Teachers

This course is also crafted for educators who are looking to introduce or enhance their computer science program. With a detailed syllabus and structured units, you'll find all the resources you need to guide your students through this exciting learning experience. 📚👩‍🏫

Course Syllabus

Unit 1: Introduction to Scratch & Computational Thinking

• Understanding the Scratch interface
• Basic concepts of computer programming

Unit 2-4: Core Programming Concepts

• Loops and control structures (Unit 4)
• Variables, arithmetic operators, and data types (Unit 6)
• Creating animated art with sound (Unit 7)

Unit 5-7: Interactive Projects

• Crafting interactive stories (Unit 5)
• Exploring existing Scratch projects (Unit 8)
• User input, conditionals, and the basics of logical operators (Unit 9)

Unit 10-11: Logical Operations & Debugging

• Understanding logical operators (Unit 11)
• Testing and debugging (Unit 11)
• Enhancing the Rock, Paper, Scissors game with custom rules (Project 10)

(Bonus) Unit 12: Advanced Projects

• Concept of State Machines (Unit 12)
• Designing and programming your own state machine (Project 11)

Unit 13: Outro

• Recap and review of key concepts (Unit 13)
• Celebrating student projects and accomplishments

Join the Journey!

Embark on this creative and educational coding adventure with Scratch, where young learners can bring their ideas to life while developing essential computational thinking skills. Whether you're a student, teacher, or just curious about coding, this course is your gateway to the exciting world of computer science! 🚀🏫

Enroll now and let's create, learn, and innovate together!