Description
Book SynopsisKids learn to code by making fun computer games with the Scratch programming language. Games include things like a timed maze, a snake game, asteroids, and more. By combining colorful Scratch programming blocks of code, kids quickly learn computer programming concepts, like loops, strings, and variables, without having to master the cryptic syntax found in most programming languages. Easy-to-follow, full color instructions let readers get immediate results with minor supervision. Review questions and coding challenges reinforce learning and aid classroom use and the development of lesson plans.
Trade Review"Kids who can master Minecraft might want to try making their own games using this as a guideline."
—Joy Schwabach, Arkansas Online "The book is well written, full of humor and puns, and the explanations of how things work are good. It also generally implements things in a sensible way and you aren't going to learn any bad habits or methods from the book. . . . highly recommended."
—Kay Ewbank, I Programmer, Programming Book Choices For Fun"An excellent resource to learn how to make epic games . . . My son has been coding for several years now. He enjoyed working through this book and completing the games. He likes that the author's presentation is clear, concise, and engaging. There is no second-guessing with the illustrations if you are doing the steps correctly. "
—Renee Knoblauch, The Old Schoolhouse®
Praise for Scratch Programming Playground
“An impressive manual for achieving Scratch programming mastery and creating genuinely entertaining games.”
—Kirkus Reviews“My son was able to successfully complete each game he attempted. And along the way, he gained some excellent programming skills. I also really appreciated the character lessons he learned (patience and perseverance, not to mention goal-setting). These were a great by-product of Scratch programming!”
—The Old Schoolhouse Magazine“The book is well written, full of humor and puns, and the explanations of how things work are good.”
—I Programmer“I’m quite impressed with exactly how much of the Scratch programming tool the reader will have used and learned by the end of the book, and I think teachers and parents will find this a 5-star reference.”
—Jim Kelly, GeekDad“If you are looking for the next thing for your Minecraft-loving kids and haven’t tried Scratch, the Scratch Programming Playground book is a great guide to teach kids how to program by making cool games.”
—Tech Savvy MamaTable of ContentsIntroductionChapter 1: Getting Started with Scratch
Chapter 2: Rainbow Lines…in Space!
Chapter 3: Maze Runner
Chapter 4: Shooting Hoops with Gravity
Chapter 5: A Polished Brick Breaker Game
Chapter 6: Snaaaaaake!
Chapter 7: Fruit Slicer
Chapter 8: Asteroid Breaker…in Space!
Chapter 9: Making an Advanced Platformer
Chapter 10: Where to go from Here
