Sharing What You Built: Your First Coding Show and Tell
Imagine you just built the coolest block tower ever. What's the first thing you want to do? Show someone! Coding is exactly the same. When you write code and make something work, sharing it is one of the BEST parts. A Coding Show and Tell is your chance to say: 'I made this — here's how it works!'
What You'll Learn
By the end of this lesson you will: • Be able to explain what your code does in simple words • Know how to show your program to someone who has never seen it • Practice answering the question 'How did you do that?' • Feel proud of what you have built
What Is a Coding Show and Tell?
In regular Show and Tell, you bring something from home and talk about it. In Coding Show and Tell, you bring a program you made and RUN it while you explain what it does. You might show: • A drawing program where you click and color appears • An animation where a cat moves across the screen • A counting game where a number goes up every time you press a button The important thing is that YOU made it and YOU can explain it in your own words — no matter how small or simple the program is.
Three Things to Say About Your Code
When it is your turn to share, remember these three sentences: 1. 'My program does THIS.' — Run it and show what happens first, before you explain anything. 2. 'I made it work by doing THIS.' — Point to one piece of code, even just one block or one line. 3. 'The hardest part was THIS.' — Everyone hits a problem when coding. Sharing that shows you are a real coder! You do not need to explain every single piece. Just share the part you are most proud of.
When you share your code, someone might notice something that does not work quite right. That is called a bug. Real programmers at places like Google and Apple find bugs in their code every single day. Finding a bug means you are learning — it is something to celebrate, not be embarrassed about.
Being a Good Audience
Show and Tell only works if the audience helps too. When a classmate is showing their code: • Watch quietly and look at the screen • Think of ONE thing you liked ('I liked how the sprite jumped!') • Think of ONE question you are curious about ('How did you make it change color?') Coding Show and Tell is not a contest. Every project is different, and every coder learned something new. Cheer for your classmates the way you want them to cheer for you.
Match each Show and Tell action to what it does for your audience.
Terms
Definitions
Drag terms onto their definitions, or click a term then click a definition to match.
During a Coding Show and Tell, what should you do FIRST?
Practice Your 30-Second Pitch
1. Open or find a program, game, or Scratch project you have made (or draw one on paper if you do not have one saved). 2. Practice saying out loud: 'My program does ___. I made it by ___. The coolest part is ___.' Fill in each blank. 3. Time yourself — can you explain it in 30 seconds? 4. Run (or pretend to run) the program while you talk. 5. Try it for a family member or in front of a mirror. 6. Write or draw one thing you want to add to your project next time.
What is a 'bug' in coding?
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