Scratch

Scratch  - For the last couple of weeks the 7th grade students have been learning to program in Scratch. This is a wonderful tool developed to ease the entry into the world of programming (http://scratch.mit.edu/). While we are using it in the 7th grade it can easily be used in the lower grades as well.

The goal was to create a simple video game - I explained that they could make any game they would like but started the instruction by working with them to create the classic game of Pong. It has been one of those times when I know it has just worked for the kids. Many of them have stayed after class to finish or worked at home to solve a problem. Once most had the basics down I introduced another classic "Space Invaders". At this point the assignment was to create a game (I had a few rules to follow) and test it. Once they had completed the game I created a Scratch studio so that they could share them. Once shared they all could play each others games. It was at this point that I mentioned to them that they were playing video games in class BUT ALSO they had created them themselves. How amazing!

Some of the games are located here

http://scratch.mit.edu/studios/320911/
http://scratch.mit.edu/studios/304327/
http://scratch.mit.edu/studios/323279/