MakeCode Arcade: Games Through the Ages!

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MakeCode Arcade: Games Through the Ages!

Age Group:6-8
Grades:1-3
Learning Hours:10 hours
Domain: 
Key Skills: 
Assessment:No formal assessment
Hardware/System Requirements:  
Progression:  

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Course Overview

This course introduces children aged 6–8 to the fundamentals of coding and game design using Microsoft MakeCode Arcade. The students will journey “through the ages of games,” and will create projects inspired by classic and modern video games, building skills in logic, creativity, and computational thinking. The course is designed for beginners and emphasises hands-on, playful learning.

No. Topic Lesson outline Duration
1
Welcome to the age of Arcade!
  1. Introduction to Arcade Games
  2. Sprites in Gaming
  3. Creating a Sprite
  4. Wrap-up and Discussion
2 ½ hours
2
80s Retro: Pixel Pioneers
  1. Introduction – Thematic Explanation
  2. Discuss Retro Game Mechanics
  3. Create background
  4. Create Paddle Sprites
  5. Wrap-up and Discussion
3 hours
3
80s/90s: Platformer Power
  1. Introduction – Thematic Explanation
  2. Discuss Retro Game Mechanics
  3. Tutorial 1 – Setting
  4. Tutorial 2 – Scoring
  5. Wrap-up and Discussion
3 hours
4
90s: Platformer Legends
  1. Introduction – Thematic Explanation
  2. Discuss Retro Game Themes
  3. Tutorial 1 – Enemy Sprites
  4. Tutorial 2 – Animations
  5. Wrap-up and Discussion
2 ½ hours
5
90s/00s: Animal Adventures
  1. Introduction – Thematic Explanation
  2. Discuss Retro Game Themes
  3. Tutorial – Random events and NPC Dialogues
  4. Customisation
  5. Wrap-up and Discussion
3 hours
6
00s: Superhero Showdown
  1. Introduction – Thematic Explanation
  2. Tutorial 1 – Galga Basics
  3. Tutorial 2 – Galga Expanded
  4. Game Jam
2 ½ hours
7
00s/10s: Tap Dash Games
  1. Introduction – Thematic Explanation
  2. Tutorial 1 – Action Clicker
  3. Customisation
2 hours
8
10s/20s: Social & Clicker Games
  1. Introduction – Thematic Explanation
  2. Tutorial 1 – Action Matcher
  3. Customisation
  4. Game Jam
2 ½ hours
9
Remix Challenge: Mashups
  1. Introduction – Thematic Explanation
  2. Recap & Research
  3. Creation Time
  4. Game Jam Session & Peer Feedback
3 ½ hours
10
Show & Tell: Arcade Expo
  1. Introduction – Thematic Explanation
  2. Preparation & Organization
  3. Game Presentation
  4. Play & Explore
  5. Wrap-up and Discussion
2 ½ hours
11
Bonus content: Time Capsule: What’s Next?
  1. Introduction – Thematic Explanation
  2. Brainstorming Future Game Ideas
  3. What Do You Want to Learn Next?
  4. Code Swap
  5. Play & Test
  6. Reflection
  7. Course Wrap-up
2 ½ hours