I Will be teaching an introduction to Programming course for grade 9 students in the Fall. there are 9 sessions to this course. I will be using Scratch as it's great and I think it lends itself well to my needs.

I have been a scratcher for about 5 months, but a programmer for as long as I can remeber.

I am looking for some ideas on how to teach this course as I am not a teacher.

I was thinking of the following

session 1
introduction to computers (Basic)
Introduction to programming (Concepts like list of instructions etc)

session 2
Introduction to Scratch (will use the cat tutorial)
introduction to variables (will mod the cat tutorial)

At this point I do not know where to go ?? By the end os session 3 I am hoping to have each team of students come up with a project they want to work on and then use the remaining sessions to help them on there projects and introduce new concepts, method and cotrols as needed.

Am I crazy? will this work? Does anyone have an outline they have used that I can use as a template?>

Thanks

Check out ScratchEd, it has some useful resources for teachers. Might be worth checking with their teachers what they are learning that term and so show how Scratch can be used to help with other subjects? Good luck, just go with the flow I'm sure they'll love it whatever you choose to do.

Well, here are some key topics that should be taught, though I'm not sure of the best order:
Variables and lists
Control statements
Procedures

thanks for the suggestions

You might find some ideas from my tutorial.

I would suggest this:

session 1
-introduction to computers and programming

session 2
introduction to the Scratch interface (like what the green flag is). I could spend a whole session just telling them about the interface

session 3
-they should probably know, but tell them about pixels and the coordinate plane of the stage. knowing about pixels helps to understand x and y position. Also, don't forget to explain how the middle point is (0, 0) because some languages have that in the top-left.
-go over what a block is and the different categories
-time to have them start doing something so they don't get bored. I'd show them first basic concepts of programming, in particular, how to program moving the sprite with the arrow keys.

session 4
-explain, before variables, events, and work with events to create interactive triggers with clicking on a sprite, broadcasting especially, etc. Incorporate these into the project.

session 5
-Now go over variables, as they are key… I guess lessons 4 and 5 could be swapped… maybe work with a simple chase game and using variables for velocity or score,

session 6
-Explain the concepts of vector versus bitmap graphics (this may help). Start showing them the splines of vector art compared to the array of pixels in bitmap.

session 7
-If you didn't previously, finish up showing them the paint editor, and then show them custom blocks. Describe the different inputs and running without screen refresh to them.

session 8
-Show them the sound editor, and talk about why it only takes .mp3 and .wav formats, and show them everything about it.

session 9
-have them make a project of their liking, while you walk around and help them out.

session 10
-continue the projects

session 11
-continue the projects, and begin showing them if finished at the end

session 12
-have them show their projects on a projector screen

turkey3 wrote:

I would suggest this:

session 1
-introduction to computers and programming

session 2
introduction to the Scratch interface (like what the green flag is). I could spend a whole session just telling them about the interface

session 3
-they should probably know, but tell them about pixels and the coordinate plane of the stage. knowing about pixels helps to understand x and y position. Also, don't forget to explain how the middle point is (0, 0) because some languages have that in the top-left.
-go over what a block is and the different categories
-time to have them start doing something so they don't get bored. I'd show them first basic concepts of programming, in particular, how to program moving the sprite with the arrow keys.

session 4
-explain, before variables, events, and work with events to create interactive triggers with clicking on a sprite, broadcasting especially, etc. Incorporate these into the project.

session 5
-Now go over variables, as they are key… I guess lessons 4 and 5 could be swapped… maybe work with a simple chase game and using variables for velocity or score,

session 6
-Explain the concepts of vector versus bitmap graphics (this may help). Start showing them the splines of vector art compared to the array of pixels in bitmap.

session 7
-If you didn't previously, finish up showing them the paint editor, and then show them custom blocks. Describe the different inputs and running without screen refresh to them.

session 8
-Show them the sound editor, and talk about why it only takes .mp3 and .wav formats, and show them everything about it.

session 9
-have them make a project of their liking, while you walk around and help them out.

session 10
-continue the projects

session 11
-continue the projects, and begin showing them if finished at the end

session 12
-have them show their projects on a projector screen

this is great thanks