Game Design: CS in Math Intensive
The time between Thanksgiving and winter break can seem a little frenetic. Thankfully, Ms. Robbins takes advantage of this energy by setting the time aside as a CS in math “intensive” experience for her students. The tradition started last year creating video games about math. We learned a lot from that experience and made some improvements to the project in collaboration with Ms. Mathieson, Innovation Coordinator and this year's students!
Days 1 & 2:
We had students start by evaluating the games created by 7th graders last year. This was a great exercise to get students thinking about what they wanted and didn't want for their own games. We asked each class to come up with their list of “must haves” for the games they would create.
We had students start by evaluating the games created by 7th graders last year. This was a great exercise to get students thinking about what they wanted and didn't want for their own games. We asked each class to come up with their list of “must haves” for the games they would create.
Days 3 & 4:
We presented students with a real-world problem - 3rd graders have been doing Reflex math for 3 years and are getting bored with it. We offered students choices - work individually or with a team member and design a game from scratch or remix an existing project. They completed a game design plan being sure to incorporate their "must have" requirements and sketched out a storyboard for their game.
We presented students with a real-world problem - 3rd graders have been doing Reflex math for 3 years and are getting bored with it. We offered students choices - work individually or with a team member and design a game from scratch or remix an existing project. They completed a game design plan being sure to incorporate their "must have" requirements and sketched out a storyboard for their game.
Days 5, 6 & 7:
Work days. We provided some Scratch resources, but really went for a more “just in time” learning model encouraging students to seek help from each other, online or from a teacher as the need arose.
Work days. We provided some Scratch resources, but really went for a more “just in time” learning model encouraging students to seek help from each other, online or from a teacher as the need arose.
Days 8 & 9:
We set aside a day before the Demo Party for students to play each others’ games and provide each other I like… and I wish… feedback. Then Demo Party day arrived with 3rd graders coming to play the games made especially for them.
We set aside a day before the Demo Party for students to play each others’ games and provide each other I like… and I wish… feedback. Then Demo Party day arrived with 3rd graders coming to play the games made especially for them.
Games created in 2019
Games created in 2018
Helpful Information
- Pause game example
- Multiplication quiz example
- Scrolling background example (check out sprite2 & 3 code)
- Catch game (if/then condition example)
- Levels & clone example (broadcast example)
- Keeping score example (variables example)
- Jump on object example
