Apple Island

SOL CT 6-8.4 - 6-8.6, CT 6-8.8 

Lesson Plan: Apple Island Challenge – Creating a Game in KODU

Grade Level: Middle School

Subject: Game Design / Computer Science

Duration: 2–3 class periods (45 minutes each)

Learning Objectives:

Students will:

• Use KODU Game Lab to create a playable game with programmed behavior.

• Practice event-based programming using the WHEN–DO logic in KODU.

• Learn how to assign values to actions to affect gameplay (e.g., scoring).

• Design a basic game environment with terrain and interactive elements.
  
  

Lesson Overview:

In this lesson, students will create a fun and competitive game called Apple Island Challenge. Players control a Cycle character that jumps between islands, collecting red apples for points. Meanwhile, a Kodu character moves around trying to grab green apples—but each one subtracts from your score! The goal is to score as many points as you can while avoiding the green apples.

Materials:

• Computers with KODU Game Lab installed

• Student planning sheet (optional)

• Projector (for demonstration)
  
  

Instructions:

1. Build the Environment

• Create a world with 3 islands.

• Surround the islands with deep water.

• Make sure the Cycle must jump from island to island (can’t just ride across the water).

• On each island, place 5 trees (so you will have 15 total trees).
  
  

2. Program the Cycle (Player Character)

• The Cycle moves using the arrow keys.

• Use the spacebar to jump.

• When the Cycle bumps into a red apple, add +5 points.

• Make sure the apple only gives points once, not continuously while touching it.
  
  

3. Program the Trees

• Out of the 15 trees:

  • 8 trees should drop red apples every 5 seconds.

  • 7 trees should drop green apples every 5 seconds.
    
    

4. Program Kodu (AI Character)

• Add a Kodu character to the world.

• Program Kodu to:

  • Move around the islands.

  • Collect green apples.

  • Each green apple Kodu collects should subtract –5 points from the player's score.
    
    

Challenge Add-ons (Optional):

• Add a timer to limit how long the game lasts.

• Create a score display on the screen.

• Add music or sound effects for collecting apples or jumping.
  
  

Wrap-up & Reflection:

• Students will test their games and have classmates play them.

• Discuss: What strategies did you use to avoid losing points? What would you add to make the game more fun?
  
  

Assessment:

Students will be assessed based on:

• Correct setup of the game environment (3 islands, 5 trees per island).

• Proper programming of Cycle, trees, and Kodu.

• Game functionality (scoring works, apples appear correctly, jumping works).

• Creativity and effort.
  
  

Example