Staff ask for programs Students can use to create their own games. This is a hot question, especially since we have a whole-School Genius Hour initiative going on. Here's a look at my favorites:- Scratch Jr. (https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/scratchjr/id895485086?mt=8) (K&1st-2nd) – “kid-brother/sister” to Scratch. Easy to drag & drop blocky style, lets you create games & stories. Change colors, texts, pictures, you-name-it. (Looking for an amazing storytelling app...this is it!)
- Hopscotch – (https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/hopscotch-make-games!-learn/id617098629?mt=8) (Upper 1st, def 2nd & up) top rated with super reviews. It has video how-to’s. It accepts basic blocky commands that are easy to snap together. Press play and away you go. This app also lets the user create movies, games, and so much more. I really like these folks!
Online (links in Student Links)
- Code.org – in the Code Studio - (https://studio.code.org/ - at bottom of page....Flappy Bird, etc.) it has several game/story programs to try. This is more for 2nd & up, but 1st can give it a try. All other gaming & coding experiences in this program are wonderful as well. Students should be encouraged to tinker about.
- Tynker – (https://www.tynker.com/programming-for-kids/explore/elementary.html) Definitely for 3rd & up. Sign-up required for Students to create their own games, etc. Students will signup for an account and are given a ‘name’. They will need an adult approval, which allows the parent the ability to get updates as to their progress (which might be a nice feature to make certain they’re doing what they need to do). The link takes you to basic games that do not require a login to get a feel as to how it works.
- Scratch (online & program on Macs) - 4th & up. There are books and online resources that go step by step how to use the program. Essentially, it is a blocky style programming. Kids really like this and why not?...it's really well put together. This is another 'tinkerable' program, that's why I rate it for 4th & up. As much as we've used this program, I don't think we've come close to scratching the outer limits of it...there is so much potential here.
