Day
One
In the first week, our team conducted an introductory Scratch lesson and worked on the "Deep Sea Sushi" project. In this project, we introduced basic programming concepts like conditional statements (if statements) and loops (for loops), allowing students to create a game where a shark catches fish.At the start of the lesson, we shared real-life examples of coding applications to spark students’ interest and make the session more engaging. The students participated actively and followed along well, making the session enjoyable for everyone involved!
Week 1 Project Link: https://scratch.mit.edu/studios/35833044/
Week1 Class Material: PPT File
Day Two
In our second week, our team tackled more advanced Scratch projects, “Rock Band” and “Paint Box,” building on last week’s “Deep Sea Sushi.” This time, we introduced key coding concepts like if-statements, for-loops, and even infinite loops. Plus, unlike last time, we added sound effects and an actual coloring feature, which made the projects even more fun and hands-on.
We also felt like we really connected with the students—participation was way up from last week, and they seemed a lot more confident. It was so rewarding to see them excited, raising their hands with questions, and jumping in to answer. Next week, we’ll start on Python, moving into real coding. The way they’re following along and understanding everything makes us feel ready to dive in with confidence!
Week 2 Project Link(Rock Band): https://scratch.mit.edu/studios/35864630/
Weel 2 Project Link(Paint Box) https://scratch.mit.edu/studios/35864538/
Week2 Class Material: PPT File
Day
Three
Our team helped students grasp basic computing concepts with Scratch through week 2, then started Python lessons in week 3. We covered core Python topics like print statements, lists, dictionaries, and if statements, with plenty of quizzes and hands-on exercises to reinforce learning.
Unlike with Scratch, we didn’t run projects after week 2. Although we considered using GitHub for code sharing and feedback, we decided to focus on practical exercises instead due to time constraints and the complexity of GitHub.
Thanks to the students' hard work, the Python lessons were a success. Their participation grew each week, which made us really happy and proud. Despite the challenges of real coding, they followed along and gave it their best effort!
Lastly, we planned time for code reviews to gather feedback and help with revision, but due to an error on our end, some reviews weren’t saved. We’ll ensure better site maintenance next time, so please bear with us if some reviews are missing this week.
Week3 Class Material: PPT File
Last Day
Last week, we reviewed if statements, lists, and dictionaries, while also introducing for loops, while loops, and indexing. Thanks to the impressive understanding students demonstrated last week, we were able to deliver more advanced lessons this time. The class was focused on quizzes and hands-on activities to help students internalize the concepts. We used examples of for and while loops to explain their logic through quizzes, and visually demonstrated how code operates, making it easier for students to grasp. Students also participated in exercises where they implemented loops themselves.
Finally, to provide students with a tangible takeaway, we worked together to create a Rock-Paper-Scissors game. While the project introduced a new module, `random`, everything else was based on concepts the students had already learned. We incorporated fill-in-the-blank quizzes throughout the activity to reinforce their understanding and keep the session engaging.
This being our first teaching volunteer experience, we felt deeply rewarded by the opportunity to interact with the students. We not only imparted knowledge over the four weeks but also learned a lot from them. Their innocence and enthusiasm were a source of great healing for us, and we would love to participate in similar opportunities again in the future!
Week4 Class Material: PPT File