Getting Started!

 

Just start coding! The best way to learn how to code is to start coding! Do it now! Wondering how? I started coding when I was 10, beginning with Scratch. 

My first experience with Scratch was through a course taught by my awesome teacher, Mrs. Meryl van der Merwe. Now she has the class online so anybody anywhere can take it! Her site is called FundaFunda, and has a beginner, intermediate, and advanced Scratch class.

 

 I also used tutorials from MIT's scratch page to gain very basic knowledge. Here is the tutorial:  https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/31407152/ 

Now that you know some Scratch, it's time to start coding! If you are dreading following obscure instructions to download Scratch on your computer, never fear! You can open a complete Scratch platform here: https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/editor/?tip_bar=home  There are suggested projects and tutorials on the side.

I suggest starting small. Before you attempt a full game or animation, just experiment with the different blocks. Make the cat sprite move across the blank screen. Once you've tested the individual blocks, try making them interact! Make the cat dance in a whole chunk of code! You can also experiment with the 'looks' and 'sound' tabs by making the cat 'say' something, or drawing a hat on it. Try incorporating time into your program with the 'control' bar, making it wait several seconds before meowing, or making it repeat a motion 10 times.

Once you have experimented with the Scratch cat, you can follow a tutorial to make a game or animation. You can use the tutorials from MIT on your coding page, or use this video to make a platform game: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooPPlj4jFjc

When you've made something based on a tutorial, try elaborating on it or creating your own game or animation! I animated some of Aesop's fables such as the Crow and the Pitcher and the Lion and the Mouse. I advise making a short animation of a simple fable or fairy tale because it is extremely easy to become overwhelmed in a complicated story. 

Once you've made something, share your fabulous project! You can create an account on the site https://scratch.mit.edu/, post your project, and explore what others have done!