Game Creation (Non-coding) - Key Stage 1 and 2
Computing Curriculum Objectives
Use technology purposely to create digital content (KS1)
Manipulate and retrieve digital content (KS1)
Design and create digital content to accomplish goals (KS2)
Use various forms of input (KS2)
See the assessment template below for outcomes specific to the tasks in this pack.
Computing Curriculum Objectives
Use technology purposely to create digital content (KS1)
Manipulate and retrieve digital content (KS1)
Design and create digital content to accomplish goals (KS2)
Use various forms of input (KS2)
See the assessment template below for outcomes specific to the tasks in this pack.
Introduction
This activity pack has been designed for both Key Stage 1 and 2 and covers game creation without the need for programming skills that pupils may be learning in other aspects of the Computing curriculum.
What will you need?
Pupils will need access to the free Sketch Nation website or the free Sketch Nation app on iPad or Android.
In some of the activities, pupils can use images saved from the web so this could be done prior to or during lessons. Games could be based on a theme or topic being covered in other lessons.
Why teach game creation?
Game creation can be a nice way to generate enthusiasm for other topics across the curriculum as this unit allows pupils to create games about anything. It also allows younger pupils to be made aware of the basic components of games. The videos below are available to pupils when they log in to the site.
Assessment
The games made will automatically save locally to the computer. Alternatively, there is an option to create individual accounts for pupils by registering so the pupils can access their games online from anywhere.
This activity pack has been designed for both Key Stage 1 and 2 and covers game creation without the need for programming skills that pupils may be learning in other aspects of the Computing curriculum.
What will you need?
Pupils will need access to the free Sketch Nation website or the free Sketch Nation app on iPad or Android.
In some of the activities, pupils can use images saved from the web so this could be done prior to or during lessons. Games could be based on a theme or topic being covered in other lessons.
Why teach game creation?
Game creation can be a nice way to generate enthusiasm for other topics across the curriculum as this unit allows pupils to create games about anything. It also allows younger pupils to be made aware of the basic components of games. The videos below are available to pupils when they log in to the site.
Assessment
The games made will automatically save locally to the computer. Alternatively, there is an option to create individual accounts for pupils by registering so the pupils can access their games online from anywhere.
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Tip
For pupils who want to import their own characters/players from the Internet to use in the activities below, it is a good idea to use transparent images. Pupils can save transparent images from Google Images by typing in something such as Space Rocket icon, going to Tools then choosing Transparent in the Colour menu. This will mean the image does not have a white background.
For pupils who want to import their own characters/players from the Internet to use in the activities below, it is a good idea to use transparent images. Pupils can save transparent images from Google Images by typing in something such as Space Rocket icon, going to Tools then choosing Transparent in the Colour menu. This will mean the image does not have a white background.
Activity 1 - Creating a platform game (Side Running)
Teacher Input and Key Questions
What is a platform game and what examples are there? A game where a character runs and jumps across platforms of different heights. Examples include Super Mario, Sonic Hedgehog.
If you were making a platform game what different parts would there be? Players, backgrounds, platform graphics and controls.
Pupil Activities
The 3 videos below demonstrate how to make a simple platform game. The videos demonstrate a Christmas game but it could be about any topic. The background, players and platforms could be either drawn with the built in Sketch Nation tool, pupils could use images saved from the internet (this could be done by the teacher for key stage 1) or use photos of hand drawn backgrounds or platforms. The background task includes a simple element of stop-motion animation which could be linked with our Key Stage 1 Animation Activity Pack.
What is a platform game and what examples are there? A game where a character runs and jumps across platforms of different heights. Examples include Super Mario, Sonic Hedgehog.
If you were making a platform game what different parts would there be? Players, backgrounds, platform graphics and controls.
Pupil Activities
The 3 videos below demonstrate how to make a simple platform game. The videos demonstrate a Christmas game but it could be about any topic. The background, players and platforms could be either drawn with the built in Sketch Nation tool, pupils could use images saved from the internet (this could be done by the teacher for key stage 1) or use photos of hand drawn backgrounds or platforms. The background task includes a simple element of stop-motion animation which could be linked with our Key Stage 1 Animation Activity Pack.
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1. Backgrounds
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2. Characters/Players
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3. Platforms
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Extension
For higher ability and Key Stage 2 pupils, they could use the advanced mode after creating a simple game which gives more game options such as multiple levels and enemies.
For higher ability and Key Stage 2 pupils, they could use the advanced mode after creating a simple game which gives more game options such as multiple levels and enemies.
Activity 2 - Creating a Candy Crush Style (3 in a row)
Teacher Input and Key Questions
Discuss with the pupils making a Candy Crush game (a game to move sweets around and get 3 in a row) but using objects linked to a theme instead of sweets.
What would you need for this type of game? Images/graphics of different objects
Pupil Activities
Pupils could use the video below to create a Candy Crush style game linked to a topic. The video demonstrates both drawing the objects in Sketch nation or importing them from Google.
Discuss with the pupils making a Candy Crush game (a game to move sweets around and get 3 in a row) but using objects linked to a theme instead of sweets.
What would you need for this type of game? Images/graphics of different objects
Pupil Activities
Pupils could use the video below to create a Candy Crush style game linked to a topic. The video demonstrates both drawing the objects in Sketch nation or importing them from Google.
Extension
As with previous activities, more able and Key Stage 2 pupils could use advanced mode to add levels and experiment with more player options.
As with previous activities, more able and Key Stage 2 pupils could use advanced mode to add levels and experiment with more player options.
Activity 3 - Create Viking Boat Game (Side Flying)
Teacher Input and Key Questions
This is an advanced activity for Key Stage 2 which can be linked to any topic but we have linked it to Viking boats.
Pupil Activities
Pupils could use the video below to create a side flying game. The video also introduces how to find transparent background images on Google and some of the advanced options of game creation such as levels.
This is an advanced activity for Key Stage 2 which can be linked to any topic but we have linked it to Viking boats.
Pupil Activities
Pupils could use the video below to create a side flying game. The video also introduces how to find transparent background images on Google and some of the advanced options of game creation such as levels.
Activity 4 - App Store Listing
Teacher Input and Key Questions
Show the pupils an App Store listing such as this one. Discuss the different aspects of the listing such as icon, price, reviews, screenshots and description.
Pupil Activities
Pupils use the App Store template in Word or Pages (download below) and add their own content. Pupils could design their icon in Word or paste it from another piece of software such as Paint.
Show the pupils an App Store listing such as this one. Discuss the different aspects of the listing such as icon, price, reviews, screenshots and description.
Pupil Activities
Pupils use the App Store template in Word or Pages (download below) and add their own content. Pupils could design their icon in Word or paste it from another piece of software such as Paint.
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