Classroom Resource

How to Make a Video Game

Subject Area

Digital Literacy and Computer Science

Grade(s)

2, 3, 4, 5

Overview

Video games are fun to play, but have you ever wondered how to make one? Carmelo, a grad student in the MIT Media Lab, shows how anyone can start learning how to create video games by talking to machines through programming languages using block-based programming. This video can be played to introduce a lesson on computer programming.

Digital Literacy and Computer Science (2018) Grade(s): 2

DLCS18.2.3

Construct elements of a simple computer program using basic commands.

Unpacked Content

UP:DLCS18.2.3

Vocabulary

  • program
  • code

Knowledge

Students know:
  • programming blocks represent a set of codes.
  • block based programs can be used to design a task.
  • block based programs can be interpreted by machines.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • drag and drop blocks of code.
  • drag and drop blocks of code to complete a tasks.
  • run a block based program after sequencing tasks to complete a desired process.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • blocks of code can be moved around and combined into an order that completes a task or process.
  • sets of block coding can be run to perform the task/process.
Digital Literacy and Computer Science (2018) Grade(s): 3

DLCS18.3.7

Test and debug a given program in a block-based visual programming environment using arithmetic operators, conditionals, and repetition in programs, in collaboration with others.

Unpacked Content

UP:DLCS18.3.7

Vocabulary

  • test
  • debug
  • program
  • block-based visual programming environment
  • arithmetic operators
  • conditionals
  • repetition

Knowledge

Students know:
  • strategies for debugging a given program.
  • arithmetic operators create a single numerical solution from multiple oprations.
  • conditionals are "if, then" statements that direct the program.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • test a given program in a block-based visual programming environment using arithmetic operators, conditionals, and repetition in programs, in collaboration with others.
  • debug a given program in a block-based visual programming environment using arithmetic operators, conditionals, and repetition in programs, in collaboration with others.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • a given program must be tested and debugged to run correctly.
  • block-based visual programming uses arithemetic operators, conditionals, and repetition to function.
Digital Literacy and Computer Science (2018) Grade(s): 4

DLCS18.4.7

Create a working program in a block-based visual programming environment using arithmetic operators, conditionals, and repetition in programs, in collaboration with others.

Unpacked Content

UP:DLCS18.4.7

Vocabulary

  • program
  • block-based visual programming environment
  • arithmetic operators
  • conditionals
  • repetition

Knowledge

Students know:
  • the definitions for arithmetic operators, conditionals, and repetition as they relate to programming.
  • strategies for collaborating with peers.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • create a working program in a block-based visual programming environment using arithmetic operators, conditionals, and repetition in programs.
  • implement strategies to collaborate with others.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • operators in programming make many options available, reducing the length of an alorithm, pseudocode, or program.
Digital Literacy and Computer Science (2018) Grade(s): 5

DLCS18.5.6

Create a working program in a block-based visual programming environment using arithmetic operators, conditionals, and repetition in programs.

Unpacked Content

UP:DLCS18.5.6

Vocabulary

  • program
  • block-based visual programming
  • environment
  • arithmetic operators
  • conditionals
  • repetition

Knowledge

Students know:
  • how to create a working program in a block-based visual programming environment.
  • reasons for using arithmetic operators, conditionals, and repetition in programs.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • create a working program in a block-based visual programming environment using arithmetic operators, conditionals, and repetition in programs.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • arithmetic operators, conditionals, and repetition in programs make more operations possible and can reduce the complexity or length of code.
Link to Resource
https://aptv.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/2143a241-f8d9-4a54-a4a5-b9634797bd28…

CR Resource Type

Audio/Video

Resource Provider

PBS
Accessibility

Accessibility

Video resources: includes closed captioning or subtitles
License

License Type

Custom

Custom License Type (URL)

https://www.pbslearningmedia.org/help/terms-of-use/

Comments or Notes

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Approved Date

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