iSchool

Grade 3Arcade Builders

Module 1 : Tiny Arcade

Build Mobile Gameswith App Lab

Turn screen time into app creation! Students transition from coding puzzles to building interactive mobile interfaces. They will learn UI/UX design, master event-driven programming, and build multi-game arcade apps using block-based coding.

3 modules · 12 lessonsInteractive App Building
Grade 3 Arcade Builders hero
Final Project
Play Quest Arcade
What you'll walk away with

Four Learning Outcomes.One confident coder.

Real, transferable skills you'll use far beyond the classroom.

Program Interactive Apps

Utilize App Lab to create functional, multi-screen digital experiences and games.

Master Event Logic

Learn to trigger specific actions and animations using events and listeners.

Design with UI/UX

Wireframe user interfaces and apply design thinking to make apps visually appealing and easy to use.

Code Smart Mechanics

Implement variables, lists, loops, and conditional (if-else) statements to build smart game rules.

Tools & Technologies

Game-Based Tech Stack

Learn computer science through play in tools students already love.

Code.org App Lab logo

Code.org App Lab

A powerful, block-based programming environment where students design user interfaces and write event-driven code to build functional web apps.

Canva logo

Canva

A creative design tool used to introduce young students to visual communication and professional presentation building.

The Learning Path

Three modules.An arcade app at the end.

From your first wireframe to a fully coded multi-screen arcade app.

Module 01

App Design & Event Logic

Learn what makes a great app! Explore UI/UX wireframing, the RGB color system, and learn how to use Event Listeners to make digital buttons interactive.

Module 02

Smart Code & Debugging Detectives

Make your code smart! Use lists to manage data, if-else statements to make decisions, loops to automate actions, and learn to squash code bugs.

Module 03

Math, History & The Arcade Build

Discover the history of arcade pixels. Use arithmetic operators to calculate game scores and begin constructing your final multi-screen mobile application.

Skills Gained

More than just play.

Every Grade 3 graduate leaves with sharp logic, design thinking, and the soft skills to ship and present their arcade apps.

Technical Skills

App Lab Coding

Use Code.org App Lab to design, code, and run multi-screen mobile apps with block-based programming.

Event-Driven Programming

Trigger actions, animations, and screen changes with events and listeners on every tap.

UI/UX Wireframing

Wireframe screens and apply design thinking to make apps clear, friendly, and easy to use.

Game Mechanics

Combine variables, lists, loops, and conditionals to build smart game rules and scoring.

Soft Skills

Creative Problem Solving

Imagine original app ideas and find inventive ways to bring them to life with code.

User Empathy

Step into the user's shoes to design experiences that feel intuitive and fun.

Task Management

Break a big app idea into small, focused steps and ship them one at a time.

Digital Presentation

Design slides and confidently present your arcade app to parents and peers.

The Final

The Graduation ProjectPlay Quest Arcade.

By the end of this module, every student designs, codes, and proudly presents a multi-screen arcade app with custom mini-games built in App Lab.

Play Quest Arcade

Students build a mini 'PlayStation-style' mobile app! Featuring a welcome menu and functioning buttons that let users play custom-coded versions of Simon Says and Whack-a-Mole.

  • Welcome Menu: A polished home screen that routes users into each mini-game.
  • Custom Simon Says: Code the pattern, the sound cues, and the win condition.
  • Whack-a-Mole: Use events, lists, and timers to score every successful tap.
Play Quest Arcade preview
Student presenting their arcade app on stage

Pitch & Present

Step into the spotlight. Students use Canva to design visual slides, reflect on their coding journey, and proudly present their arcade app to parents.

  • Visual Slides: Design Canva slides that walk through the coding journey.
  • Coding Reflection: Highlight favorite moments and breakthroughs.
Module 2 : Beyond Gamers

Build Web-Based Gameswith Tynker.

Transition into full web-based game development! Students master the Tynker platform to program movement, animation, and game physics. They will use advanced logic to build scoring systems and design complete multi-level games using the Game Development Life Cycle.

3 sections · 12 lessons · Web Game Development
Grade 3 Beyond Gamers hero
Final Project
Codey Adventures
What you'll walk away with

Four Learning Outcomes.One confident coder.

Real, transferable skills you'll use far beyond the classroom.

Master Tynker Fundamentals

Navigate the interface and program actor movement, character costumes, and rigs.

Code Advanced Mechanics

Use events, loops, and conditional logic to implement cloning, collision detection, and mouse controls.

Implement Game Physics

Control gravity, velocity, and static actors to build realistic physics-based levels.

Apply the GDLC

Follow the Game Development Life Cycle to design, build, and pitch a complete multi-level platformer.

Tools & Technologies

Game-Based Tech Stack

Learn computer science through play in tools students already love.

Tynker logo

Tynker

A powerful visual programming platform used to build interactive web-based games with real physics, custom rigs, and dynamic animations.

AI & Canva

AI & Canva

Using AI tools to generate custom game backgrounds and utilizing Canva to build professional pitch presentations for the final launch.

The Learning Path

Three sections.A web platformer at the end.

From your first Tynker actor to a complete physics-based platformer game.

Module 01

Core Mechanics & Logic

Make actors move! Master loops, conditions, and events to program animations, create clones, and build scoring and health systems.

Module 02

Physics & Storytelling

Bring your world to life. Explore game physics like gravity and velocity, understand static actors, and craft multi-level game stories.

Module 03

The Game Life Cycle & AI

Become a game studio! Follow the full Game Development Life Cycle (GDLC), generate backgrounds using AI, and pitch your final game to parents.

Skills Gained

More than just play.

Every Grade 3 graduate leaves with sharp logic, design thinking, and the soft skills to ship and present their arcade apps.

Technical Skills

Tynker Programming

Master the Tynker visual programming platform to build interactive web-based games end to end.

Physics (Gravity & Velocity)

Control gravity, velocity, and static actors to build realistic physics-based gameplay.

Cloning & Collisions

Use cloning and collision detection to create dynamic, responsive gameplay environments.

Game Development Life Cycle

Design, build, test, and pitch a complete multi-level platformer following the full GDLC.

Soft Skills

Algorithmic Logic

Break gameplay into ordered, testable steps that drive every actor and event.

Game Storytelling

Craft multi-level game stories with characters, goals, and engaging worlds.

Project Management

Plan, prioritize, and ship a full game across the Game Development Life Cycle.

Confident Presentation

Use Canva to design slides and pitch your final platformer game to an audience.

The Final

The Graduation ProjectCodey Adventures.

By the end of this module, every student engineers a complete, physics-based platformer in Tynker and pitches it to an audience using Canva.

Codey Adventures Game

Students follow the GDLC to engineer a complete, physics-based platformer game in Tynker. Players guide Codey through interactive levels, utilizing gravity mechanics, overcoming obstacles, and navigating custom AI-generated backgrounds to reach the finish line.

  • Physics-Based Platformer: Real gravity, velocity, and collisions drive every level.
  • AI-Generated Worlds: Backgrounds crafted with AI tools fuel each level's mood.
  • Multi-Level Design: A clear start, mid-game challenges, and a finish line.
'Codey Adventures' platformer preview
Student presenting their Codey Adventures game on stage

Pitch & Present

Step into the spotlight. Students reflect on the Game Development Life Cycle and use Canva to confidently pitch their final platformer game to an audience.

  • GDLC Reflection: Walk the audience through design, build, and test.
  • Canva Pitch Deck: Visual slides that bring the game's story to life.