Key Stage 2 – Scratch, Python and Kodu (Beginners)

The Aims

• Explored a progression of beginner activities in Scratch a visual programming language

• Programmed new worlds in Kodu,

Game Creation Software • Explored Python as a text-based

(scripting) programming language

By the end of this session, you will have:

Programming Software

Scratch Activities

Visual Programming

• Controlling Characters • Music Machine • Etch a Sketch • Racing Car • Ping Pong • Maths Quiz • Diameter and Perimeter • Other Examples

Scratch Programming http://studio.code.org/

A visual programming language that allows children to build computer programs by snapping statements together like Lego blocks using drag and drop.

Different Sets of

Commands

The Stage - where

your program is run

The Scripts Panel

where you build the

commands to run

your program

Different Blocks

of commands

The

Scratch Interface

The Sprite – the

object you control

Controlling Characters

When the flag is clicked: 1. Move the sprite - Forever 2. Keep turning the sprite around 3. Animate the sprite 4. Add a backdrop 5. Add a sound 6. Insert another sprite to catch!

Music Machine

Button 1

Button 2

Button 3

1. Draw 3 buttons

2. Import a sound

3. Write the program

for each button

Create ‘etch a sketch’

‘if …...then’ selection

Racing Car Game

Ping Pong Game

Key Words / Ideas

forever loop

‘‘if’ … ‘then’ selection

variable – score / speed

Challenges

Create your own version.

Can you create a two player

game?

Player 1 controls: up & down

Player 2 controls: w & s

Add a points value - You win

when you get 5 points

Maths Quiz

Program a Maths Quiz in Scratch that uses the selection ‘if’… ‘then’…. ‘else’

Selection Allows the program to make choices

according to a condition: if … then …..else ………

Variables Something your program might need that changes score … speed ……time

Program a Maths Quiz in Scratch that uses selection ‘if’… ‘then’…. ‘else’……..

Key Words / Ideas

‘if’ ‘else’ Selection

Variable for score

Algorithm to code

Use the selection blocks ‘when’ and ‘if’ …… ‘then’ to sense when something is going to happen

Key Words

forever loop

‘when’ selection block

‘if’ ... ‘then’ selection block

variable – score

Felix and Herbert Game

Felix and Herbert

Activity • Create a backdrop • Add 2 sprites • Felix chases Herbert • Herbert faces Felix and moves

with the computer mouse • When Felix catches Herbert,

switch costume to dead! • Add a variable called score, add 1

point forever and if Herbert is caught, broadcast it and – 100 points.

Felix and Herbert

Felix and Herbert

Felix the Cat Make a variable

Key Vocabulary

Repetition Statements that perform a repeat

(or loops) Forever, Repeat

Selection Allows the program to make choices

according to a condition: if … then…..else

Sequence All of the ‘steps’ that are

followed in order

Debugging Find and fix mistakes in a

program

Variables Something your program might need that changes score … speed ……time

Sequence

What shape have I

programmed with my

sequence of instructions?

What will happen to

my character in this

sequence?

Generalisation Phil Bagge

Adapting a solution that solved one problem to solve another.

Diameter of circle = radius * 2

Perimeter of pentagon= length* 5

Algorithm

Code

Debug – Find and Fix

• All programmers make mistakes

• Mistakes and debugging is a normal part of the programming cycle

• Not the teachers job to debug pupil’s code

• It encourages independence

Other Examples http://www.code-it.co.uk/csplanning.html

Escape the room Flappy Bat

10 Block Challenge

Python Programming

Python is a text-based (scripting) programming language.

Navigating IDLE/Shell

Open IDLE / Shell 300+400 987-653 12*9 30/6

Open New Window/File - Save - Helloworld.py

Python Programming

“Hello World” Program In Python, a command called “print” displays the text on the screen

Save File ‘Run’, ‘ Run Module’

print ('Hello World') print (‘This is my first program’)

Variables and Comments

1. Variables may be though of as boxes within our program where we can place data (numbers or text). We can then use the contents of the boxes within our program and that the values assigned to our variable (the contents of our boxes) may change as our program runs.

Programming in Pairs

“… a software development technique in which two programmers work together at one workstation. One, the driver, types in code while the other, the navigator, reviews each line of code as it is typed in. The two programmers switch roles frequently.

The Driver Types the code Thinks completing task using observer as a guide

The Navigator Thinks direction of outcomes Suggests improvements Looks for problems in the code

AREAS

1. WORLDS AND CHARACTERS

2. PATHS

3. KODU RACES

Support Website

www.pluscomputing.wordpress.com

Scratch Junior – ipads only

Solve It!

Next, create a sequence for a character and put it into full screen mode. Play the sequence Circle the commands needed for that algorithm

Solve It!