Computer Coding for Kids - a 5 session curriculum

Session 1: Introduction

The Hook: Cool Robots
- Watch Big Hero 6 Robot Video.
  - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5LC0rG6Zco.
- Class Mini Discussion.
  - Botfighting in this movie is so cool!
  - How did it make you feel.
  - Do you think this is realistic?
  - Could you do this, someday?
  - Yes, you can!

Connecting the Hook.
- Korea Fighting Robots Festival 2013 - Final Match video.
  - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4zTOfix40Y.
- It happens in real life, too.
  - Animation, Robotics.
  - We’re going to learn the building blocks for how to do this in class!
  - You can make this and other amazing creations on your own!
Intro to Game Development and Computer Science.
- We do this, and many other fantastic things, using computer science.
- Now, what counts as computer science?
- Applications of computer science (related to the class and otherwise).
  - Programming.
    - Website Design.
    - Game Design.
      - Let’s play some Video Games to experience science at work!
        
        Pocket Code games.
        
        Unity examples.
      - Discussion.
        
        Favorite games.
        
        Similarities between homemade games and professional video games.
        
        Video games are just advanced comp-sci.
    - Databases.
    - Robotics.
    - Cybersecurity.
    - Internet Structure.
Class Curriculum Overview:
- What Do You Want to Learn.
  - Robotics, Video Games.
Entry Exercise.
- Plants vs Zombies game code example.
  - Free play on Hour of Code.
    https://studio.code.org/s/course3
Homework:
- Learn and think about something cool you can or want to do using computer science, and be prepared to talk about it next class.

Session 2: Code with Lightbot

Code Command and Storytelling Exercises
(to learn concept of line to line coding)
- Steps to Brushing Your Teeth.
- Emphasize: Computer Takes You Literally.
  - No memory.
  - Goes line to line to learn.
  - Command by command to form an action.
- Class Discussion of Homework.
  - Think of your goals.
    - How could you achieve them in a step-by-step list.
  - Build-a-story game 1.
    - Each child goes around and adds one sentence to the story until it ends.
  - Build-a-story game 2.
    - Each child picks one aspect of a story until it’s built.
      - Genre.
      - Themes.
      - Characters.
      - Protagonist.
      - Antagonist.
      - Helper → connected to theme.
      - Climax.
      - Conclusion.
  - Create your own story using the elements above.
Introduction to Lightbot Exercises.
- Square.
  - Make the pen draw a square.
  - Make the pen continue drawing a square forever.
- Triangle.
- Other Shapes.
- Learn one other cool command for Lightbot.
Lightbot Exercise.
- Basic Moving.
- Move around the Screen.
Free play with Lightbot.
- Show off to your friends!

Session 3: Code: Variables and Functions

Glossary Handout for references.
https://code.org/curriculum/docs/k-5/glossary
Variables (Storage Boxes).
- Variables are stored values that you can use so you don’t have to remember so many details in your code.
  - Your brain uses a similar concept when it remembers acronyms.
    - You: ROYGBIV (Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet).
    - The Computer: (R=Red, O=Orange, etc).
- Extra Variables Learning Resources
  https://www.kidscodecs.com/variables/
Functions.
- Variables are often used alongside functions, which are stored commands.
  - If variables are like R=red, functions are more like R=Make the object red.
  - We use functions because it’s exhausting to code everything from scratch!.
    - For the same reason, we use libraries of functions and variables.
- Create a Function on Scrap Paper from the Code Command Exercise (Session 2).
- Lightbot Functions Game.
  - Find and identify a list of scratch functions. You can make your own. Compete against your friends.
- Create a codecademy.com account and go through Variables/Functions Lesson in Python or Javascript.
  - https://www.codecademy.com/learn/javascript
  - https://www.codecademy.com/learn/python
- Extra Functions Learning Resources
  https://www.kidscodecs.com/functions-and-procedures
Look at the painting game I made on Khan Academy.
- https://www.khanacademy.org/computer-programming/jackson-polluck-painting-generator-circle-edition/5063911910014976.
- Using the mouseClicked function, the random functions, and the shape functions make your own versions.
- Review:
  - How do functions make code easier to write?
  - How do people use libraries in their daily life.
APIs, the world’s libraries.
- Google Maps API.
- Google APIs on the Internet. Many programming languages started out as APIs.
- Extra API Resources.
  - https://www.kidscodecs.com/what-is-an-api
  - https://developers.google.com/apis-explorer
Programming and History.
- Women programmers (Ada Lovelace).
- Binary language.
- Code is another language.
- Extra history resources:
Homework:
- Learning from Other Games.
  - Look at the other games on khanacademy.org that were made using code. Talk about them as a class. Play for a while.
    - https://www.khanacademy.org/computing/computer-programming/browse
- Write down a pretend function for a robot to do.

Session 4: Loops and Conditionals

Intro to Loops.
- Learn about Loops (Your brain does things on repeat).
- Code.org Loops Video.
  https://studio.code.org/s/course1/stage/14/puzzle/1
- Lightbot Loops:
  - Make another Square - this time using a Loop.
  - Make a Labyrinth.
  - Make a Circle.
Riddle.
- You have two eggs, and a building that is fifty floors tall. You want to find out how many floors it takes to for an egg to break.
- How do you do this?
- Write some scrap code.
Codeacademy.org Loops Javascript or Python Lessons.
- https://www.codecademy.com/courses/loops/0/1
- https://www.codecademy.com/courses/python-beginner-en-cxMGf/0/1
Why Loops are Important: Computers Have a Short Memory.
- https://www.kidscodecs.com/loops-a-fairy-tale
Class Discussion:
- Think about loops in your daily life. They can be metaphorical or realistic, but bring some back to discuss.
Conditionals.
- If/Else Statements.
  - If: I pick the chocolate ice cream sign, I get the chocolate ice cream!
  - Else: I pick the vanilla ice cream sign and get the vanilla ice cream!
- Class Exercise: Simon Says.
  - If you like puppies, clap (etc.).
- Codeacademy.org Lesson with Conditionals.
Programming Review with Instructor.
- Variables, Functions, Loops, and Conditionals.
- Square Exercises.
Pocket Code Introduction.
- Make your own Pocket Code program to show off to your classmates!
- Look at other Pocket Code Projects.

Session 5: Pocket Code Project

Brainstorm!
- Think of fun project ideas and share with class.
Make a Plan.
- Plot out your program on scrap paper.
- Aim.
- Code You Will Use.
  - Variables, Functions, Loops, If/Else Statements.
- Theme.
  - What makes your project interesting to others.
  - Get it approved by tutor or mentors.
- Timeline.
  - Make a list of what you need to finish.
  - Check with teacher.
Go! Move into implementation Phase 1.
- You can test out some of the code on Pocket Code before you build your entire project.
  - Use this to check items off your project list.
  - For example: Make my animated characters, Make them able to move, etc.
- Programming Review with anyone who needs it.
Implementation Phase 2.
- Individual checks on project progress and help if necessary.
- Finish projects.
- Present your project to tutors, mentors, me and your classmates and guests.

This is a work in progress that continues to evolve. The latest version is a Google Docs document updated regularly: Click here to review it.

Comments and suggestions are welcomed and encouraged. Use the comment section below or use the Contact form to send them.