Students at Lakewood Elementary are turning their love of video games into an opportunity to learn valuable technology skills through a new junior coding class focused on the Scratch programming platform.
The class introduces students to the fundamentals of computer coding using Scratch, a beginner-friendly drag-and-drop coding program designed to teach programming concepts in a creative and interactive way.
“We’re offering junior coding with Scratch,” the instructor explained. “Kids learn basic coding through a Scratch program. It’s a drag-and-drop coding platform that helps students learn basic coding concepts.”
Throughout the course, students explore topics such as coordinates, movement, and animation while designing their own video games. Lessons include teaching students how sprites — the characters and objects used in Scratch — move along X and Y axes and respond to commands created by the students themselves.
“We teach the kids a concept like how a sprite might move on an X or Y axis. Then the kids code the game and explore it and make it their own.”
For many students, the class connects directly to concepts they are already learning in school.
“We’ve learned coordinates, which I’m also learning in class,” one student shared. “We’re learning about how to move your sprites in Scratch.”
The hands-on approach allows students to build games based on their own ideas and interests. One student proudly described creating a platform-style game starring a panda on a mission to collect cheesy puffs.
“So the video game I made today is a platforming game where there’s a panda trying to get his cheesy puffs,” the student said.
Teachers say the connection between gaming and coding helps students stay engaged while developing problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
“Kids love to code video games because they love video games,” the instructor said.
Students say the class has helped them discover new interests and build confidence with technology.
“I used to not be that much of a computer tech coding person, but now I really like it,” one student said.
The class has quickly become a favorite among participants, with students already encouraging others to sign up next year.
“You should sign up next year because it’s really fun,” a student said. “I know a bunch of you who like video games, so I think you would like to join."